PM Modi brings Ram Mandir replica, Sarayu water to Trinidad and Tobago
Addressing the event, PM Modi said, 'I am aware of your deep faith in Prabhu Shri Ram... Ram Leelas here are truly unique... Ramcharitmanas says that the Holy City of Prabhu Shri Ram is so beautiful that its glory is praised across the world. I am sure that all of you welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years... You had sent Holy water and 'Shila' for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. It is my honour to bring a replica of Ram Mandir and some water from the Holy Sarayu...'
He also reflected on his previous visit to Trinidad and Tobago more than two decades ago. 'When I last visited 25 years... between then and now, our friendship has grown even stronger. Banaras, Patna, Kolkata, and Delhi may be cities in India, but there are also names of streets here. Navaratra, Mahashivratri, and Janmashtami are celebrated here with joy, spirit and pride. Chautal and Bhaitak gana continue to thrive here. I can see the warmth of many familiar faces here. I see curiosity in the bright eyes of the younger generation, keen to know and grow together. Our bonds go well beyond geography and generations...'
Praising the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago, he said, 'They left Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried Ramayana in their heart. They left their soil but not their soul. They were not just migrants, they were messengers of a timeless civilisation. Their contribution has benefited this country culturally, economically and spiritually.'
He added, 'The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence.'
Calling the Indian diaspora 'our pride,' PM Modi said, 'As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot, an Ambassador of India's values, culture and heritage.'
Referring to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's ancestral ties, PM Modi said, 'Prime Minister Kamala ji's ancestors lived in Buxar, Bihar. Kamala ji herself has visited there. People consider her a 'Bihar ki Beti' (daughter of Bihar). Many people present here have ancestors who came from Bihar itself. Bihar's heritage is a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire world. Be it democracy, politics, diplomacy, or higher education, centuries ago, Bihar showed the world new directions in many such fields. I am confident that even for the 21st-century world, new inspirations and opportunities will emerge from the land of Bihar.'
Welcoming PM Modi, Persad-Bissessar said, 'We are graced by a leader whose visit is not just a matter of protocol but a profound honour for us and so I'm deeply privileged to welcome one of the world's most respected, most admired visionary leader, the honourable Shri Narendra Modi ji, Prime Minister of Republic of India.'
She praised his leadership and described him as a major force in global politics. 'Your presence is a great inspiration for all of us, particularly to Indo-Trinidadian community whose roots are planted in the same blessed Indian soil from which you emerge. We honour the revered cultural bonds between our people. These bonds transcend time and distance, uniting us in a shared history and shared future. PM Modi you are a transformational force who has refined governance of India and positioned your country as a prominent and dominant global power,' she added.
This is PM Modi's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation since 1999. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a minute ago
- Business Standard
India should not engage with Pak in any sphere, says Abhishek Banerjee
Trinamool Congress National general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday said that India must not engage with Pakistan in any sphere and the only engagement with that country should be on the battlefield. In a post on X, the Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP said that for decades, Pakistan has exported terror, bled India, causing irreparable loss to Indian lives and families. "India must not engage with Pakistan in any sphere. The only engagement we should have with Pakistan is on the battlefield, and the only prize worth winning is Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir", he said in the post. Banerjee said, "For decades, Pakistan has exported terror, bled our nation by causing irreparable loss to Indian lives and families. And yet, every now and then, we hear calls to keep politics out of sport. No! This has to stop", he added. The TMC MP said that when a nation wages a proxy war, there is no neutral ground. "There is no cricket pitch wise enough to wash off the blood of our martyrs", he said. "Our Tricolour flies high not because of the bat and ball, but because of the unmatched courage and valour of our armed forces. We honour our cricketers, and I deeply respect the game. But as a nation, we revere our soldiers. Those who stand guard while we cheer in stadiums, those who bleed while others play", he said in the post. Banerjee also said, "That extending a handshake to a nation that fires bullets across our borders is not diplomacy - it's a bloody betrayal." "Let justice, not entertainment, be our goal. If there is to be a match with Pakistan, let it be fought at the Line of Control (LoC) and let Pakistan-occupied J&K be the only trophy we seek", he said. He added, "Anything less is an insult to our martyrs and an injustice and betrayal to the victims of Pahalgam. Period".
Time of India
a minute ago
- Time of India
Clean energy empowering women under PM Modi's leadership: Hardeep Puri
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's energy landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation - where access to clean fuel is driving empowerment, especially for women, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday. Under PM Modi's vision, 10.33 crore women have been provided dignity and ease through LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a landmark initiative in India's clean energy journey, the minister said in a post on X social media platform. In addition, 1.51 crore homes now have piped natural gas (PNG) connected, and the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network serves 96 per cent of the nation's land and 99 per cent of its population, further increasing access to energy. Women have taken on leadership positions in the energy industry, receiving training and working in biogas plants , retail fuel stores, and LPG distribution. 42,800 tonnes of compressed biogas (CBG) were purchased in FY 2024-2025 as part of the ongoing effort to promote green energy, according to the minister. "Today, the Indian woman is not just a beneficiary-she is a leader in shaping the nation's energy future," the petroleum minister said. In addition to providing millions of people with cleaner fuel, the union government initiative for energy access has sparked social and economic empowerment, especially for women. Earlier, the minister had said that India is taking steady, confident steps towards oil self-sufficiency and, under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the country is securing its energy future, step by step. According to the minister, 99 per cent of the "No-Go" areas have been cleared, even though a 1 million square kilometre offshore area is now open for oilfield exploration. Energy companies both domestically and internationally have already expressed interest in the oil and gas blocks available under the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP), and Round X is anticipated to establish new standards for investment and participation.
Hans India
a minute ago
- Hans India
Parliament Set For Crucial Debate On Pahalgam Terror Attack And Military Response
Following a week of parliamentary disruptions, the Monsoon Session is poised to commence substantive deliberations regarding the Pahalgam terror incident and Operation Sindoor beginning Monday. Both the ruling NDA coalition and opposition parties have prepared their senior leadership to participate in comprehensive debates scheduled across the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers. The government's response will be articulated by key cabinet members including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Unofficial sources suggest Prime Minister Narendra Modi might also participate in the proceedings, though no formal confirmation has been issued. Parliamentary leadership has arranged for a 16-hour debate format spanning both houses, focusing specifically on the April 22 attack that resulted in 26 civilian casualties and the subsequent military operation. The discussion framework was mutually agreed upon by government and opposition representatives on July 25. The Congress party has designated Gaurav Gogoi to initiate the opposition's arguments, with subsequent contributions planned from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deependra Hooda, Praneeti Shinde, Saptagiri Ulaka, and Bijendra Ola. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to deliver his remarks during Tuesday's session. Notable among the confirmed speakers are representatives from various political parties including Rajnath Singh, Bajyant Panda, Tejaswi Surya, Sanjay Jaiswal, Anurag Thakur, and members from TDP, SP, AITC, DMK, and NCP factions. A significant development concerns Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's participation status. Internal party sources indicate Tharoor will likely abstain from the debate, having failed to submit the required speaking request to the Congress Parliamentary Party office. This absence could generate controversy given Tharoor's recent leadership of an international delegation addressing the India-Pakistan situation, which reportedly conflicted with his party's official position. Tharoor's public endorsement of government policies and the temporary cessation of hostilities has created friction within Congress ranks, particularly among members who maintain critical stances toward the administration's approach. Opposition leadership, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, has consistently challenged the government over alleged intelligence shortcomings and questioned India's international diplomatic support. These criticisms have intensified following claims by US President Donald Trump regarding American mediation efforts between India and Pakistan, assertions that the Indian government has categorically refuted. The parliamentary debate represents a crucial moment for both government accountability and opposition scrutiny regarding national security responses and diplomatic strategies in the region.
