TWO GREAT NATIONS,
ONE GLORIOUS FUTURE
Welcoming Shree Narendra Modi to UK
On 13th November 2015, Shree
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister
of India, addressed an enthusiastic
crowd of over 60,000 at the
Wembley Stadium in London.
The SPA (UK) had registered with
the event organisers and was given
a unique code through which
over 320 Prajapati members had
registered to attend. Many more
Prajapatis registered as individuals
or through other organisations.
The extravaganza kicked off
with colourful and entertaining
performances from both Indian
and British acts for several hours
ahead of speeches by the UK Prime
Minister Mr David Cameron and his
Indian counterpart Shree Narendra
Modi. The event concluded with a
walk-around the stadium by Modiji
and a very big fireworks display.
Although it was cold, the
atmosphere was electrifying.
Regular chants of “Modi, Modi, Modi”
echoed throughout the venue.
British Indians putting the
“Great” into “Great Britain”
David Cameron acknowledged the
large gathering of Gujaratis with
a “Kem Chho, Wembley” greeting.
Commenting on the Indian diaspora
in the UK displaying values of Family,
Responsibility, Enterprise and Hard
Work, he said “these are the values
that our country needs more of”. He
also commented ‘‘It won’t be long
until there is a British Indian Prime
Minister in Downing Street’’.
He turned to Modiji and remarked
“Prime Minister Modi, you can see
what I see every day, British Indians
putting the “GREAT” into Great
40
Britain. I know what we can be in the
UK, we can be the most successful
multicultural democracy in the
world, and that is thanks to British
Indians.’’
Referring to the good times to come
under Modiji’s leadership of India, he
concluded by saying “Aachhe Din
Jaroor Ayenge”
Modiji opened his speech by saying
“It may be cold in London, but the
welcome I have received makes
me feel at home”. He stated that
diversity was India’s speciality and
strength. His view was that India
should not ask for favours, but
strive towards equality at the world
stage. In the 18 months he has
been in office, his experience is that
everyone wants a win-win formula
and that can be achieved through
equal partnership. He shared his
vision for India to lead on renewable
and solar energy. He stated that the
days of megawatts of electricity
are gone now; he would like to see
175 gigawatts of electricity being
generated from renewable energy.
Some thoughts from members were:
• ‘ Due to my limited Hindi, I was not
able to fully appreciate the full
extent of Modi’s address, but the
magnitude of the occasion was
not lost on me. When the stadium
rose for the two national anthems,
it truly was a sight to behold’
• ‘The British Prime Minister must
have thought about whether he
has ever received such a warm
‘‘When the
stadium rose for
the two national
anthems, it truly
was a sight to
behold...’’
welcome himself in his own
country let alone in a foreign land.
He spoke briefly to allow Modi
the centre stage, but his brief
words were very emotional and
if it didn’t make you feel proud,
you must not be Indian. It was a
magnificent symbol of friendship
and unity between nations’
I was privileged to be invited by
the High Commission of India to be
one of the guests at the evening
reception, after the event. During
that function, Shree Narendra
Modi appeared for a short period
to meet guests. I had a very short
private opportunity, together with
Mr Chandmal Kumawat, to present
a book published by Manish Media
entitled “India Calling- Campaign by
PM Modi”. SPA (UK) has a page in
this book welcoming PM Modi to UK.
Jitubhai Mistry