Striking the right notes at New York's Madison Square Garden in the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several announcements including life time visas for Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders.
He said, "Those who stay in India for a long time have to go to the police station, now they won't have to."
In further announcements to woo NRIs he said, "I have been told that due to differences between PIO and OCI people face difficulties, especially those who have spouses who are not Indians. I am happy to announce that we will merge the PIO and OCI cards and make it into one."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at Madison Square Garden. PTI
"We will also give long term visas for US nationals. We will also set up visa on arrival facilities for you," he added.
Earlier during his speech Modi had said that "I may live miles away from you but I am very well aware of your issues."
Addressing a rapturous crowd Modi affirmed the crowd that India would move ahead at a rapid pace and lead the 21st century world.
"The 21st Century will be that of India. By 2020, only India will be in a position to provide work force to the world," he said, while citing examples of growing global demand for nurses and teacher."
"My effort is to make development a mass movement. I am confident is that we will succeed. There is cause for disappointment. This country is going to make rapid progress. There are many expectations from the new government. This government will be 100 percent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of people," he said amid loud cheers.
"My dream is to see every Indian family has a home by 2022," he said.
At a unique event at the Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan at which some 20,000 cheering NRIs were present, Modi said that his big win in the Lok Sabha elections had come with a big responsibility for him which he would fulfill.
Listing out India's advantages, the Prime Minister said that its three strengths were democracy, demographic dividend in which 65 percent of its population was under 35 years, and the demand for India because it was a huge market.
"This country will move forward swiftly. This country has three things that no country has. But it is our responsibility to identify these powers... One of the three things that India should be proud of is democracy, our biggest strength. The second strength is demographic dividend. The country has 35% of youngsters, what else does it need? The third thing is demand. The whole world is looking at India. It is very much in demand," he said.
Clearly with an eye on the younger generation, Modi said, "We will not do anything which will let you down."
"My government will be 100 percent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the people," he said, as the crowd repeatedly chanted 'Modi-Modi'.
Attired in a saffron Nehru jacket and yellow kurta, the prime minister held the packed indoor stadium spellbound, asserting that "Our attempt is to make development a peoples' movement."
At the beginning of his speech he said winning elections was not for sitting on a seat but a responsibility and noted that he has not taken even a 15-minute vacation since taking over the helm of the country.
India was once known as a world of snake charmers, now the magic that its people have woven "with the mouse" in the IT sphere is world-renowned, said PM Modi.
"I was in Taiwan some years ago, someone wanted to ask a question and was hesitating. He asked if I won't feel bad, I said go ahead. He said I heard India is a land of black magic and snake charmers. I said no, our forefathers maybe would play with snakes but we play with the (computer) mouse," he said in his address to a gathering of Indian diaspora at the Madison Square Garden.
In his over hour-long speech in Hindi which he began with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' while extending greetings for Navratri festival, Modi promised good governance saying after a gap of 30 years India has got a government at the Centre with a clear majority.
He also had a jibe at poll predictions in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections. "No political pundit or opinion makers could fathom such a verdict," he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Indian-Americans gathered in the iconic Times Square here to watch the telecast
of Modi's address at the Madison Square Garden.
A large number of men, women and children have gathered in the Times Square to watch the 'live' telecast of Modi's address to the Indian-American community.
There was a tremendous interest in the community in the US-India relationship. The event at Madison Square Garden has been oversubscribed by more than 10,000 people.
At 16.4 percent, Indian-Americans are the third largest Asian-American group in the US, numbering 2.8 million, which is almost 1 percent of the US population.
With agency inputs
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