Underlining India’s growing global role due to its achievements and prospects, the Prime Minister said “Today’s India not only firmly asserts its own point but also strongly amplifies the voice of the Global South”. He highlighted the unanimous support for India’s proposal to make the African Union a permanent member of the G-20, emphasizing India’s commitment to “Humanity First.”

Mr Modi emphasized the global recognition of Indian talent, with professionals contributing to global growth through major companies. Extending his best wishes to those receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from President Droupadi Murmu, he highlighted that India will remain the world’s youngest and most skilled population for decades, meeting global skill demands. He stressed that many countries now welcome skilled Indian youth, and the Indian government is committed to ensuring that Indians going abroad are highly skilled through continuous skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling efforts.

Stressing on the importance of convenience and comfort for the Indian diaspora and stating that their safety and welfare are top priorities, the Prime Minister remarked that “It is India’s responsibility to assist the diaspora during crisis situations, reflecting a key principle of India’s foreign policy”. He added that over the past decade, Indian embassies and offices worldwide have been sensitive and proactive.

Recounting the previous experiences of people who had to travel long distances and wait for days to access consular facilities, Mr Modi said that these issues were now being addressed, with fourteen new embassies and consulates opened in the last two years. He added that the scope of OCI cards was being expanded to include Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of the 7th generation from Mauritius and the 6th generation from Suriname, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

The Prime Minister highlighted the significant history of the Indian diaspora worldwide, emphasizing their achievements in various countries as an important part of India’s heritage. He urged that these interesting and inspiring stories should be shared, showcased, and preserved as part of our shared legacy and heritage. Mentioning a recent effort he discussed in “Mann Ki Baat,” where several families from Gujarat settled in Oman centuries ago, Mr Modi lauded their 250-year journey as inspiring, and added that an exhibition was organized to digitize thousands of documents related to this community. Further he said that additionally, an “Oral History Project” was conducted, where senior members of the community shared their experiences. He was pleased to note that many of these families were present at the event today.

Emphasizing the need to undertake similar efforts with the diaspora in various countries, Mr Modi cited the example of the “Girmitiya” brothers and sisters. He urged the creation of a database to identify the villages and cities in India from where they originated and the places they settled. He remarked that documenting their lives, how they turned challenges into opportunities, could be showcased through films and documentaries. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of studying and researching the Girmitiya legacy, proposing the establishment of a university chair for this purpose. He also urged organizing regular World Girmitiya Conferences and directed his team to explore these possibilities and work towards advancing these initiatives.

“Modern India is progressing with the mantra of development and heritage”, said the Prime Minister. He remarked that during the G-20 meetings, sessions were held across the country to provide the world with a firsthand experience of India’s diversity. He proudly mentioned events like Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, Kashi Telugu Sangamam, and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. The Prime Minister highlighted the upcoming Sant Thiruvalluvar Day and announced the establishment of Thiruvalluvar Culture Centers to spread his teachings. He noted that the first center has started in Singapore, and a Thiruvalluvar Chair is being established at Houston University in the USA. Shri Modi remarked that these efforts aim to take Tamil language and heritage, and India’s heritage to every corner of the world.

Highlighting the steps taken to connect heritage sites in India, the Prime Minister remarked that special trains like the Ramayana Express provided access to places associated with Lord Ram and Sita Mata. He added that Bharat Gaurav trains also connected important heritage sites across the country while semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains link major heritage centers in India. The Prime Minister mentioned the launch of a special Pravasi Bharatiya Express train, which will take around 150 people on a tour of seventeen destinations related to tourism and faith. He encouraged everyone to visit the numerous significant sites in Odisha and highlighted the upcoming Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, urging people to seize this rare opportunity.