I.S. Saluja

UNITED NATIONS(TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the 74^thUNGA, September 27, was not the man the world saw and heard at Howdy Modi, Houston  on September 22. Nor was he anywhere near his usual self  when he addressed rallies of thousands  back in India. Here was a calm and relaxed philosopher Narendra Modi speaking about the age-old Indian culture  which looked upon the world as a family and believed in Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of “Truth and Non-violence”.

Modi said  that the whole world was celebrating this year the 150^thbirth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi  who gave the message of “Truth and Non-violence” . He exhorted the international community to embrace the message of the Indian Spiritual Master Swami Vivekanand who delivered a message of Harmony and Peace a hundred years ago on the US soil, at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

Listing the achievements of his government, he said the Indian example will inspire many developing nations. He said the dreams for the realization of which his government is working are the dreams of  the whole world.

He began with the initiative “Swachh Bharat” (Clean India)  which he described as the biggest cleanliness drive of the world. Under the initiative, 110 million toilets have been made in less than 5 years, which, he said must be an inspiration to the whole world. Incidentally, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation honored Modi with Global Gatekeeper Award for his “Swachh Bharat” initiative two days before he addressed the UNGA.

The other achievements he listed  included the health insurance scheme  under which 500 million are benefitted annually,  the financial inclusion scheme under which 370 million poor people have opened bank accounts. These schemes give the poor allover the world a new hope.

Digital identification program, containing corruption which saved  the country $20 billion are some other initiatives of his government which may well be emulated by other nations. Of late, inspired by  the UN ‘s recommendation of end to single plastic use, India has launched an initiative in this respect.

From the past achievements of his government Modi moved on to some plans in the future. Water conservation and water supply to 150 million homes in the next 5 years is one of the priorities of his government . There are plans to build in far flung rural areas 60, 000 miles of roads.

By 2022, when India will be celebrating 75 years of Independence, 200 million homes for the poor will have been built.

So much has been possible, Modi said because of the cooperation of all. Together we progress has been the principle his government followed. Mutual Trust, mutual cooperation and development.

India’s successful initiatives may well encourage other nations to follow suit.

Turning to India’s age-old culture , Modi said that India has always believed in peace, not in conflicts. His country has taken initiatives for the benefit of the whole world because India believes the whole world is a family.

India has been a leading nation in dealing with the issue of global warming. In order to contain damage from natural disasters, India took the initiative of setting up “Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure” which will create an infrastructure which will be resilient to natural disasters.

Prime Minister Modi mentioned next the extraordinary  contribution of Indian soldiers to UN Peacekeeping. He said the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers are unparalleled.

Modi waned the international community of the  threats from terrorism. He called upon member nations to come together to put down terrorism.

He said the 21^stcentury modern technology is bringing about many changes in the spheres of social life, personal life, economy, security , connectivity and international relations, and added that under the circumstances a divided world is in nobody’s interest. Nor does the world have the option to stay confined to national boundaries. “In this new era, we will have to give new strength and direction to multilateralism and  to the United Nations”, Modi said.

He reminded the world community of the message of Swami Vivekanand who a hundred years ago, at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago had said: “Harmony and Peace; Not Dissension”. Modi said, “India’s message to the world today is similar to Swami’ Vivekanand’s – Harmony and Peace.”