Modi exhorts Aussie Indians to work for motherland, announces visa on arrival

Modi arrived here to a big welcome and as he addressed  at the Allphones Arena in Sydney's Olympic Park urging all Indians across the world to live for the country the frenzied crowd gathered at the venue cheered lustily, hollering "Modi, Modi". 

"The 1.25 billion Indians are rightful owner of this cheer. I am not. I dedicate this to Mother India," he said at the gathering of about 16,000 people amid beating of drums and clashing of cymbals.  

He said he sees no reason why India should stay behind. "It is decided we will move ahead now," said Modi.
 
"Had it not been for a democracy would I be here? Let's understand this strength of our democracy," said the PM. 
 
He said Swami Vivekananda himself had said 50 years before independence that Indians should forget for 50 years all gods and goddesses and worship only Mother India. And see how correct he was. India got freedom 50 years later," said Modi.

He said he is lucky to be born in free India and never got a chance to fight for freedom. 

"There should be a pain in us that we were not there during freedom struggle. We could not die for freedom but we can at least live for the country. So we should pledge that if we live, it will be for the nation. If we fight it will be for the nation. And this is what the people of India feel now," he said. 

He said if you take a flight during night you reach Australia in morning, but for an Indian PM it took 28 years to come to Australia.

"I have come to assure you that you will not have to wait for 28 years," he said.

Modi harped on his Clean India campaign and his efforts to bring the poor to mainstream by opening bank account for everyone.

PM mentioned his Jan Dhan Yojana and the commitment to integrate the poor of India in the development journey.

He said 71 million bank account in last ten weeks though he was told that it was not possible to do so. 

"With same people, same government it could be done," he said. 

"I made a rule that a bank account can be opened with zero balance, but the poor deposited Rs 5000 crore. Some deposited Rs 100, some Rs 200, but they all contributed," said Modi. 

He said an unclean Indian spreads disease and also discourages tourism.

"Illness is a big burden on the poor. There is no greater service to the poor than focussing on cleanliness," he said, adding that by 2019 at least India can give back Gandhiji, who gave us freedom, a clean India.

"If cleanliness comes, tourism will get boost," said Modi.

As the crowd cheered, Modi said: "I know that behind this affection lies expectations. Yes. We want to create the India you are dreaming of."
 
He said he is against rules and laws that inhibit development and harass people.

"They were happy to make laws. I am happier to remove laws. Let's open the windows let fresh air come in," he said.

Modi also focused on dignity of labour and that idea has to be taken forward. 

He said he had promised in USA that all PIOs (People of Indian Origin) will get lifetime visa and work is going to integrate the PIOs and OCIO. 
 
Modi said India has youth power and so Mother India has 250 crore arms and of them many are of young people.

He said youth power has to be harnessed by skill development so that India can export its skilled and trained people from nurses to Mathematics teachers to all over the world and thus rule the globe. 

The event organised by the Australian-Indian community, the venue, witnessed a riot of colours and cultural performances ahead of Modi's speech.  

New South Wales Premier  Mike Baird also met Modi earlier, a Twitter image of PMO showed.  "What I sense is that you bring great hope; the relationship is on the cusp of something big" said Premier Baird of NSW.

Modi earlier tweeted: "Amazing welcome in Sydney. Glad to be here."

He was accorded a traditional welcome in Sydney and got a boomerang as a gift upon arrival.

Modi said the cultural centre here will be functional by February next.