In a heartwarming gesture, Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the world owes gratitude to Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi for showing the true meaning of globalisation when the world is razing under COVID threat.
Addressing the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Indore, Dr Ali, who is the chief guest of the event, took a swipe at the western world as he praised the Indian PM for his efforts to make COVID vaccine available to the world when most of the world had closed their doors.
“India has used its fruits of independence to empower other developing countries. And on this note, PM Narendra Modi, we owe you gratitude,” President Dr Ali said.
“When the world locked its borders and globalization failed, you showed the world that globalisation’s true success. You showed the world there is still love even in the harshest of times,” President Dr Ali added.
“When the world struggled with COVID and you too faced the challengers, you showed the world what real love and hope is when you shared COVID vaccines,” he said recalling the times when PM Modi took an important decision to share COVID vaccines with the world while many developed nations dithered in doing so despite having better technology and capability.
“I stand here very proud of your work, your love and your demonstration of leadership,” President Dr Ali said.
Talking about how India has been an inspiration to many nations across the world, President Dr Ali said, “This is an important day in the history of India. It was only on January 9 when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. On this day 107 years ago a physically weak-looking but morally strong man returned and intensified the struggle for India’s independence.”
“India’s struggle for independence is an inspiration to freedom-seeking people of the world. They ignited their hopes and aspirations about freedom for a better future for them and their progeny,” he said.
President Dr Ali also highlighted the areas where India and Guyana can cooperate. He also invited the Indian business class to invest in Guyana, which President Dr Ali termed the fastest-growing economy in the world.
President Dr Ali also spoke about how Guyana is making initiatives to connect with its own diaspora, getting inspiration from India’s own efforts.