Modi is 'Lion King', should be India's PM by 2014: NRIs

Kochi, Jan 10: It seems Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are backing

Chief Minister

as India's next Prime Minister. At the 11th edition of the three-day-long annual diaspora conclave - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 - held in Kochi on Wednesday, Jan 9,

delegates expressed their desire to see Modi as India's Prime Minister by 2014. The next

are due in 2014.

On Wednesday, Modi interacted with delegates through video conference. One of them described Modi as 'Lion King' and wanted him to become Prime Minister in 2014.

Addressing delegates of the Gujarat state session at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas through video conferencing from Ahmedabad, he described the younger generation as 'Yuva Sampath'.

"We should make them masters. We should provide them better work environment, make changes in rules and regulations, change our priorities, if needed, to ensure this," he said.

Modi said the he would strive to utilise the services of the younger generation in the state for Gujarat's progress and prosperity.

Stating that contribution of women in the agriculture sector was immense, he said, "We need to make more efforts for women's empowerment. Fifty per cent of India's population comprises of the fairer sex. If we can utilise their services to the maximum we can reach greater heights."

Gujarat had faced a lot of water problem. "We have very few rivers. But using technology and science, our agriculture production in the last decade has touched over 10 per cent," he said.

The state was giving a lot of thrust for infrastructure including development of power sector, gas grid, optical fibres, 24x7 uninterrupted power supply. As many as 18,000 villages had internet facility, he said.

Modi said he had requested the union government to allow Gujarat to celebrate 2015, the centenary year of Gandhiji's arrival from Africa.

The Chief Minister, who spoke in Hindi, received applause and cheers by the Gujarati diaspora.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from PTI)