Of Modi and his bonhomie with Indian Diaspora

Indian Diaspora has been contributing to the economies and societies they inhabit across the world since ages. They carry the cultural ethos of a great nation to other countries, and have proved, time and again, their mettle and prowess giving India a sense of pride beyond its own shores. And what ignites the passion of this Diaspora is to have the backing of a leader from its land of origin, a leader who has always made it a point during his visits to different countries to address them, and make them feel they are the pride of the nation of their origin. It is in this context that all Modi’s international visits to countries assume great significance. And Modi does not do it alone; rather he brings the Presidents and the Prime Ministers of the countries he visits to the assembly of Indian Diaspora congregated to listen to him. Be it ‘Howdy Modi’ in US in 2019, along with President Trump, or Prime Minister Antony Albanese this time in Sydney, Modi epitomizes the Indian culture which is for observing the sanctity of being the host and the guest. Both as the host and the guest, a person has to conform to norms of propriety and sanctify the occasion. Modi does that with incredible ease and humility, though he represents world’s largest democracy and a country aspiring to become powerful, economically, militarily and culturally. There is no dearth of love, reverence and sanctity in the air when Modi is around and none can avoid listening to him or miss the opportunity of meeting him or even watching him from a distance, if an opportunity presents itself. His quality of becoming a host from being a guest in every milieu is a tribute to India’s ancient spiritual tradition that teaches the lesson of deepening ties of friendship and connecting to all.

Modi’s persona has impressed leaders across the countries of the world, and barring those who harbour political parochialism, no one has found him to be a leader only of and for the Hindus in India and elsewhere. During the sudden outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world, Modi showed his leadership not only in helping his own people in India but also took measures to fulfil the need for help of people in many countries across the world. This is precisely why President Marape of New Papua Guinea showed his gratitude when Modi visited the island nation recently. Modi’s bonhomie with Indian Diaspora has been instrumental in kindling a spirit of enthusiasm and pride among the members of the Indian community throughout the world. The Indian Prime Minister is aware of the potential of the members of Indian Diaspora who have proved themselves in a different land and have contributed to the successes of their adopted nation. In this context, connecting with Indian community in Australia is of great significance for the Indian Prime Minister, who by his gesture of love and respect for the community has reinvigorated them, instilling in them a faith in their own ability and wisdom. That Australia now names a place as ‘Little India’ is no surprise. Indians make every place their own as the culture of India is to render service to others and feel a sense of brotherhood wherever its people go. And Australia being a great nation that it already is, with its vibrant multicultural ethos and a strong democracy, and a compassionate government that works relentlessly for the welfare of all, people of India migrating to Australia have found a country they can identify with and relate to, and therefore feel at home. In Prime Minister Albanese the people of Indianorigin find a leader who considers compassionately the needs of every community and the one who works relentlessly to fulfil their demands, striving to make them feel the joy and satisfaction of being in a country that respects the highest ideals of humanity. In that respect Modi connects well with the Australian leaders as they all believe in the strengths of democracy and cultural diversity.

Modi as a charismatic leader inspires confidence among Indians. When he arrived in Sydney recently, the Indian community welcomed amid chants of 'Hail Modi', 'Vanakkam Modi', 'Namaste Modi' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. In fact a member of the Indian community was heard saying, "Modi ji we have great hopes from you," as the Indian Prime Minister shook hands with the community members. Since his last visit to Australia in 2014, Modi’s stature as a leader has grown both in India and internationally. The epithet of Modi being only a Hindu leader is now slowly giving way to a leader of the masses and for the masses. No doubt the Indian Prime Minister likes to call himself ‘pradhan sewak’ rather than ‘pradhan mantri’, which is a reflection of his personal philosophy to serve the masses.

At the Qudos Bank Arena, on May 23, when Modi along with his Australian counterpart Albanese addressed a gathering of some 20,000 Indian community members, the rapt attention with which people listened to him, and their expression of love for him through the “Modi, Modi” chants that only grew louder as the special community event progressed, shows how passionate the Indian community is to experience the connection with a leader who represents millions of people from the nation of their origin. Indians are by nature emotional and passionate about their culture, values and their work. And it is because of the power and influence of Indian Diaspora that India’s stature has risen internationally. Investments flow into India, and even powerful countries have begun to acknowledge India as a ‘Vishwa guru’. Wherever there is a calamity or war, Indians reach out to people in distress to render help. In Australia, Indian religious organizations have fed and rendered help to needy people during the pandemic crisis. India’s fame internationally has been owing to the great work done by its Diaspora. What has been heartening is the kind of recognition the Australian government and leaders across political parties have given to the contribution of people of Indian-origin to Australia. Be it the renaming of a street to ‘Sailani Avenue’ to honour an Indian soldier’s sacrifice for the Australian nation during the First World War, or naming a place as ‘Little India’, all these gestures show the great culture of the Australian nation that acknowledges and recognizes the contributions of all sections of its population and is committed to build a cohesive Australian society that respects multicultural ethos.