Berlin/New Delhi, May 3 (Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a large gathering of the Indian community in Berlin in thrall as he appealed to them to popularise local Indian products as part of “vocal for local” and to also popularise yoga ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21. Addressing a 1,600 strong Indian community at the Theatre am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, comprising students, researchers and professionals, the PM also praised their contribution to Germany’s economy and society. Referring to the Ukraine conflict, the Prime Minister said that it has led to a food security crisis in the world, and many countries are reaching out to India for wheat. “Today the world is facing a wheat shortage, the world is facing a food security crisis, and India’s farmers have come forward to fill the stomach of the world,” he said to chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Modi hai to Mumkin Hai”. “Whenever any problem comes in front of the world, India comes forward with a solution. This is the new India and the strength of the new India,” he said to loud cheering. Touching on his government’s focus on climate action, he said the introduction of LED bulbs across the country, including in streetlights, and through distribution of 37,000 crore LED bulbs as part of the Ujala Yojana, has helped in energy saving.
“One small change has helped save 48,000 million kw electricity, and four crore tonnes in carbon emissions,” he said. He said because of his country’s focus on climate action the area of green jobs in India is opening up. “I am happy that India and Germany have begun a new partnership in green energy, and to take climate action forward,” he said. He also said that as part of his government’s Jal Jeevan mission, in the next 500 days, 50,000 water bodies would be created or revived across the country. Referring to India’s opening up of its markets, the PM said that earlier when people would go abroad there would be requests from family members to bring some things from abroad, but that is not the case nowadays as everything is available in the country, in a mark of its rapid progress. However, in converse when diaspora members come to India there are requests to bring somethings from India, and appealed to the diaspora to popularise “vocal for local”. Describing the Indian diaspora’s “speciality” of contributing to their country of stay like “sugar in milk”, he also appealed to them to popularise the International Day of Yoga on June 21 and teach people pranayama.
He enumerated achievements of his government, including the record GST collection of Rs 1 lakh 68,000 crore in April due to implementation of the one nation one taxation system, of achieving a record USD 400 billion export, of a zero defect, zero effect on environment manufacturing, of sending medicines and supplies to over 150 countries during the corona pandemic and saving countless lives by helping over 100 countries with made in India vaccines. He also touched on Khadi and said that for the first time after 75 years of Independence during the Amrit Mahotsav the sale of Khadi products has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore. “This has provided poor widows and mothers livelihood,” he said. He also referred to the PM Gati Shakti scheme, which he said is being praised. “We are breaking departmental silos, and every stakeholder is being brought on one platform. All departments are planning their work in advance, this has speeded up the pace and scale of work,” he added, to loud cheering. Earlier, while entering the venue, the PM was requested to join in the beating of traditional Indian drums and he gamely joined in.