Sydney: Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said there was no reason for India to lag behind any longer as he outlined the progress of schemes like Clean India and Make in India, and also promised the Indian diaspora visa on arrival and merging of the PIO and OCI cards.
Addressing an euphoric gathering of over 16,000 members of the Indian diaspora, Modi also invited them to join in the Swachh Bharat campaign and contribute towards building toilets in their villages back home in India.
“Do you believe that the country can rise again, become powerful and capable of helping other countries again?” he asked to the loud cheers from the crowd.
“I don’t see any reason for the country to remain behind, fate has decided that it must progress,” he said to wild cheers.
He promised that the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards would be merged by the time the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is held in Gurajat in January.
He also announced visa on arrival for Australians and an Indian Cultural Centre in Sydney by February 2015. Speaking at the Allphones Arena, the prime minister said cleanliness was an area where his government was focusing on.
“Dirt attracts illness and the poor man suffers due to work days lost and monetarily too. I invite your participation in the drive,” he said. He also expressed admiration for the dignity of labour he has seen in Australia.
“When I came earlier to Australia, many would ask what have you learnt from Australia - and that is dignity of labour,” he said.IANS
