Urging Indian disapora to become the driving force to help the country scale greater heights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said there is affection and respect for every Indian throughout the world because of the values they possess and not the wealth.
"It is the responsibility of every Indian, including Pravasis (diaspora) to become the driving force to achieve new results for India. There is affection and respect for every Indian throughout the world, it's not for the immense wealth that Pravasis have that they are respected, people admire them for the values they have," Prime Minister Modi said at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas held at the Mahatma Mandir complex here.
Prime Minister Modi further said the world is seeing India with immense hope and optimism.
"I have met more than 50 world leaders in the short span that I have been given this new responsibility. All the world leaders I have met, have expressed a desire to partner with India. Such opportunities do not come easily in a country's life. Be it the most developed nation of world or the poorest one, every nation is looking at India today," he said.
"The more the entire world gets to know about Mahatma Gandhi, it will be better. It has the strength to guide everyone," he added.
Earlier, he also launched the 'Dandi Kutir', a unique exhibition depicting various stages of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi's life and work.
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The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has already been addressed by several cabinet ministers, including Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Science and Technology Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs General (Retired) V.K. Singh.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will present the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards tomorrow.