The Sufi tradition is the best antidote to terrorism.
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India has no reason to remain poor.
Unveiling the statue of 12th century scholar-philosopher Basaveshwara in London, Modi said: “My heart is filled with sadness due to what happened in Paris”.
“They said a “chaiwala” will never govern world’s biggest democracy, but here he is”.
He said: “We started off looking at other venues that were 10,000, 15,000, but we realised the huge demand and the popularity of Prime Minister Modi”.
Referring to the Sustainable Development Goals, Modi said India’s development goals are aligned with the SDGs.
Modi’s visit has been accompanied by protests over what critics say is growing intolerance in India.
Which Indian wouldn’t be proud to see a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in front of British Parliament.
Modi said, “You are the true ambassadors of India”.
Up to 500 people held a demonstration outside Downing Street against the visit before the talks with Cameron, many of them Sikhs.
In the evening, the visiting premier reached Wembley Stadium, the home to iconic rock concerts and England’s national football team, to address 60,000 strong Indian Diaspora (or around 4% of the Indian Diaspora in Britain). “Prime Minister Modi said “acche din aanewale hain”, I say “acche din zaroor aaiyega”, he said to thunderous applause.
He also backed India’s claim for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Although Prince William has never visited India before, his father Prince Charles has carried out eight official royal tours to the nation, the most recent being a nine-day tour of Dehradun, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kochi in November 2013.
Performers included Indian-origin pop star Jay Sean, popular Bollywood singer “Baby Doll” Kanika Kapoor and Alisha Chinai, who belted out her famous “Made in India” Hindi number of the 90s, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. “The event also underscored Modi’s shift from political pariah to – according to his many supporters – India’s saviour, after he swept to office previous year promising economic reform and less bureaucracy”.
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“Our programmes of inclusive development, including financial inclusion, universal access to basic needs by target year, Make in India, Skill India, Digital India, Industrial Corridors and Smart Cities will boost growth and, employment in India. This relationship has to be driven by private sector CEOs now”, Modi said.
