Euphoric crowd cheers Indian PM at Palais des Sports |12 March 2015

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by a euphoric crowd at Palais des Sports yesterday where he gave a public address to mostly members of the Indian community living here.

Despite his busy and hectic schedule, the Indian PM made sure to meet the Indian community living and working in Seychelles in a short gathering which was also attended by Founding President of Seychelles Sir James Mancham, government ministers, members of the National Assembly, acting Chief Justice Durai Karunakaran, Indian ambassador to Seychelles Sanjay Panda, other officials from the government and some 3000 members of the Indian community.

The stadium was completely transformed with magnificent orange, white and green balloons and decorations and all the guests present eagerly awaited their much acclaimed PM.

After some cultural performances, at 11.15am Prime Minister Modi arrived at the stadium. The ecstatic crowd welcomed in a very respectful way their new PM shouting “Modi, Modi, Modi” and also their usual patriotic cry “Jai Hind” (victory to India).

“Namaste, Khem chho (Greetings, how are you)”, greeted the PM to his audience before addressing them.

“It is my first time in Seychelles but we have been associated with you for a long time. Despite I came late in the country, I could feel the love and welcome of the people of Seychelles along the street. I am grateful to the citizens and the government of Seychelles for welcoming me so warmly. Seychelles and India, as per science, were one. Through disintegration we became apart and nature changed our lands but could not change our hearts. The big ocean between us is not to separate us, but to unite us. When we stand on the banks of south India, we can say here is another city of ours and we can feel the closeness of our hearts. There is a special relation between us and we take pride in this fact. Indians wherever you went, in whatever circumstances you were, you lived your life. It is because of your conduct and behaviour that the people accepted you with love and affection. This is our culture Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is one family).”

PM Modi also talked a lot about the contribution of the late Kantilal Jivan Shah in building the Nation. “Because of his work, he brought glory not only to Seychelles but to India also. He was respected by all and he was really concerned about the protection of environment in Seychelles. As Indians, we take pride in that. Many Indians have contributed to building the Seychelles Nation and I am really confident that our generation to come will enhance this relationship,” noted the PM.

He further talked about the recent elections in India where after almost 30 years, one party got the complete majority to form the government.  

“I have been told that when the results were out, you were also celebrating the victory of democracy. Of course you want Seychelles to progress but our vision is to have the world to progress. If India remains backward, it will not meet the world’s standard and we are working very hard to make India a peaceful country. While the small island states worry about nuclear bombs and global warming, in India we are planning to have an overall development which will reduce the effects of global warming. To save the world from natural disaster and terrorism, we should come and work together. We do not have the right to hurt the nature and any human being. Based on our cultural heritage, we have to live meaningfully and motivate others to surge ahead.”

PM Modi also talked about technology, wind and solar energy. “In the year 2020, India will produce 100 giga volts with solar energy and 60 giga volts through wind energy and we want to give this to humanity to celebrate our 70th Republic Day. Our vision is not only to provide energy for India only. Embracing new technologies, the young people of our country can change the destiny of the world; this is why we launched the campaign ‘Making India’. I am inviting the world to come to India to invest and whatever you make, you will have better quality with time and cost effective. You will have access to 50 different markets.”

The PM continued his speech with the current developments in India that he said will change the living conditions such as the railways and the steel development. “In the next 20 years the biggest workforce can be provided by India. What entrepreneurs cannot do, skilled people will be able to do,” remarked the PM.

He concluded his address with the announcement of a deal struck with the government of Seychelles and which made the crowd go ecstatic. “After some serious discussions with President Michel, we came to an accord that the citizens of India and Seychelles will have free visas on arrival in each other’s country for three months. Another aspect we discussed is how to increase tourism in both countries. With more direct flights, we have to encourage more people to discover Seychelles and India. You gave me so much affection and love that I will have to come again to see this beautiful country,” noted PM Modi.

After his address, he greeted the VIPs and the public who kept cheering him. The Indians attending the programme felt very proud and thanked the government of Seychelles for allowing them to see their PM in person, something that would not have happened in India.