PM Modi highlights cultural ties between India and Guyana
Continuing with India’s move to bridge a gap between diaspora and the land of their ancestors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended an invitation to members of the Indian community in Guyana to participate in Maha Kumbh and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held next year.
 
“Next year, from January 13 to February 26, Maha Kumbh will be held at Prayagraj. I invite you to attend this gathering with families and friends. You can travel to Basti or Gonda, from where many of you came. You can also visit the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. There is another invite,” PM Modi said while addressing Indian community members at the National Centre in Georgetown.

In the presence of Guyana President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Philips and other dignitaries, PM Modi called the diaspora “Rashtradoot.” 

“I always call our diaspora the Rashtradoots. An ambassador is a Rajdoot, but for me you are all Rashtradoots. They are ambassadors of Indian culture and values. It is said that no worldly pleasure can compare to the comfort of a mother’s lap.”
 
Speaking about commonalities between India and Guyana, PM Modi said three things—culture, cuisine, and cricket—connect the two countries deeply and provide a strong foundation to their friendship. “Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure you all celebrated Diwali. And in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa,” PM Modi said, while narrating about his visit to the South American country more than two decades ago as a common traveller.
 
“At that time, I held no official position. I came to Guyana as a traveller, full of curiosity. Now, I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now. But the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed - you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian,” PM Modi maintained.
 
Highlighting his visit to the ‘India Arrival Monument’ a replica of the first ship which arrived in Guyana in 1838 bringing indentured migrants from India, PM Modi said, “It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India. They brought with them different cultures, languages, and traditions. Over time, they made this new land their home. Today, these languages, stories and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.”
 
On this occasion, PM Modi talked about cricket, which is a highly popular sport in India as well as Guyana. “The love for cricket also binds our nations strongly. It is not just a sport. It is a way of life, deeply embedded in our national identity. The Providence National Cricket Stadium in Guyana stands as a symbol of our friendship,” PM Modi said.
 
“Kanhai, Kalicharan, Chanderpaul are all well-known names in India. Clive Lloyd and his team have been a favourite of many generations. Young players from this region also have a huge fan base in India. Some of these great cricketers are here with us today. Many of our cricket fans enjoyed the T-20 World Cup that you hosted this year,” PM Modi added.
 
He also brought to the diaspora's notice India’s progress in the past ten years. In this context, PM Modi said, “India’s journey over the past decade has been one of scale, speed, and sustainability. In just 10 years, India has grown from the tenth largest economy to the fifth largest. And, soon, we will become the third-largest. Our youth have made us the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world. India is a global hub for e-commerce, AI, fintech, agriculture, technology and more.”
 
“We have reached Mars and the Moon. From highways to i-ways, airways to railways, we are building state of art infrastructure. We have a strong service sector. Now, we are also becoming stronger in manufacturing. India has become the second largest mobile manufacturer in the world,” PM Modi added.