India Abroad

Need For Peace, Climate Change And More: Narendra Modi's Historic Address At WEF Meet

| January 23 , 2018 , 17:41 IST

Marking a historic moment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 48th Annual World Economic Forum Meet in Davos on Tuesday in an 'opening plenary'. In his keynote speech, which he surprisingly started in Hindi, PM Modi touched down on various topics of relevance.

Starting with the development of India over the past years, PM Modi mentioned how the country has progressed in terms of GDP by six times since the last Indian Prime Minister marked his presence at the WEF meets in 1997.

"Last time an Indian PM came to Davos was in 1997 when Deve Gowda ji had come. That time our GDP was little more than 400 billion dollars, now its more than six times."

With the emergence of technology, the data sharing has become more prominent, making the flow of information easy and efficient. Acknowledging the opportunities creating the resource, PM Modi agreed that data sharing is indeed changing the world for better.

"Today, data is the biggest resource. The global flow of data is creating big opportunities and big challenges as well."

Referring technology as the “major force” which can cause “serious” problems if not used with care, PM Modi acknowledged the arising questions which the future generation might seek answers to. 

"This year the topic here is ‘Creating a shared future in a fractured world’. New powers are changing the balance between economic and political strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world. World is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability and security."

PM Modi didn't forget to mention the Indian beliefs which "unifies" people instead of “dividing” them. Calling the world one family, Narendra Modi called for bridging the gap between countries with a little effort for more prosperity.

"India has always believed in values of integration and unity, in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. This means the entire world is one family and is relevant to bridge distances."

Further highlighting the importance of climate change, Narendra Modi suggested that we should tackle it tactically. He also mentioned that if we failed to acknowledge the threats, the consequences could be fatal.

"Climate change is a huge threat right now, Snow in the Arctic is melting, many islands are sinking or are about to sink."

He further mentioned how India's father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi endorsed utilisation based on “need” and opposed “greed”. In an attempt to make the criminals realise their shortcomings, PM Modi asked them to question their inner demon for true answers.

"Mahatma Gandhi's Principle of Trusteeship to use things according to one's need is important. He was against the use of anything for one's greed. We're today exploiting nature for our greed. We need to ask ourselves if this is our progress or regression."

Terrorism can never be positive, an idea which PM Narendra Modi tried to imbibe in the heads of those who often come up with justifications to the cruel acts performed by the rivals of humanity.

"Terrorism is a big threat but an even bigger threat is when you give definitions like good terrorism and bad terrorism."

Unhappy with the progress made by globalisation over the past years, Narendra Modi tried to evaluate the nature of few countries which are unwilling to lend a helping hand to their needy counterparts and ultimately give rise to terrorism.

"Many societies & countries are becoming self-centred. It seems that globalisation, as opposed to its definition, is shrinking. Such misplaced preferences can't be considered any lesser threat than terrorism or climate change. We must admit shine of globalisation is fading."

PM Modi didn't forget to mention the 2014 elections when Bhartiya Janta Party came to power with a complete majority, thanks to the 60 crore people who voted for the political revolution.

"In 2014 after 30 years, the 60 crore Indians provided a complete majority to any political party to form govt at the centre. We took the resolution for the development of everyone and not just a specific group. Our motto is 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'."

Many recent rankings provided PM Modi with a reason to gush over the developmental steps that BJP government has taken for the welfare of Indian citizens. He further expressed his joy over his countrymen accepting the change that his government brought.

"Change in India's ranking is an indicator that the people in India have warmly welcomed the change in policies as the road to a better future for them."

Indicating that the nation's democracy, demography and dynamism are the reason for giving shape to India's development, Narendra Modi expressed how the country has never hesitated from lending a helping hand to United Nations to maintain peace.

"India has sent the most number of soldiers to UN peacekeeping forces. This is because we have always been willing to help other nations."

Concluding his inspiring address, Indian PM Narendra Modi ascertained that the transparent governance and the constant efforts made by the Indian government will keep the country in World's good books.

"A predictable, transparent and progressive India will continue to be the good news in an uncertain world. Lets together make the world of heaven, where there is no place for fracture and walls. We consider the whole world a family."

The 5-day meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in the Swiss Alps, will reportedly be attended by around 3,000 world leaders from the fields of business, politics, art, academia and civil society. Heads of 38 major organisations such as the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank will also be attending the event which is themed 'Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World'.

