Diversity India’s pride and strength, says premier

IANSNew DelhiPrime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday stressed that diversity is the pride and strength of India.“India is full of diversity. This diversity is our pride and our strength,” Modi said during his much-awaited address to 60,000 wildly cheering British-Indians at the iconic Wembley Stadium here on the second day of his three-day visit to Britain.Members of Britain’s large Indian diaspora waved India’s tricolour flag, wore Modi masks and chanted Modi’s name between blasts of Indian pop music that had the crowd dancing in the aisles of Wembley Stadium Slick videos highlighted India’s economic prowess. “We are here to experience the aura of Modi, it is the aura of truth and development. There is no comparison for him in this era,” said audience member Mahdu Kabra, 32. “He increases our proudness to be Indian.” Modi received a standing ovation as he addressed the crowd. “There is no reason for India to remain a poor country,” he said to roars of approval. “India has no reason to remain poor. I can say that after my experience during the last 18 months,” Modi said.“A youthful nation like India cannot lag behind in development,” said Modi. “A country which has the power of youth cannot be stopped,” he said.The fact that foreign direct investment into India has increased by 40% proves global confidence in India is increasing, the premier claimed. “FDI into India has increased by 40%. It shows the increasing international confidence in India,” Modi said. “Two dreams that we are working towards – a clean India and India with 24/7 electricity,” he said.Modi added that 18,000 villages in India that are not connected with electricity will get this basic facility within the next 1,000 days.The pace and direction of progress in India is such that the fruits of development will be seen very soon,” Modi said. “As many as 18,000 villages need electricity. There are not even electricity poles. In the next 1,000 days we will ensure they get it,” he said.The prime minister said that by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, he would ensure that there was 24 hours of electricity all over the country.“We will harness solar, wind and renewable energy. We will generate 175 gigawatts of power one day,” he said.Earlier, Cameron and his wife Samantha, who was wearing a traditional Indian sari, welcomed Modi as he arrived at Wembley Stadium.Modi thanked Cameron for the latter’s affection towards India and Indians. “Whenever I meet the prime minister (Cameron), I find that he is very proud of the Indian community in UK,” Modi said.“I want to thank the prime minister and acknowledge the affection he has towards India,” he said.After Modi met organisers of the much-hyped event, the two leaders interacted with a group of schoolchildren of Indian-origin who had performed in the cultural extravaganza that preceded Modi’s speech.