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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jan 08, 2017, 01:08 PM IST
Castigating the opponents of demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said those terming the government's move as 'anti-people' were the "political worshippers" of graft and black money which were making the economy, polity and society hollow.
"Friends you know we have undertaken a big responsibilty in fighting black money and corruption... Black money and corruption have gradually made our polity, economy, society and the country hollow.
"It is unfortunate that there are some political worshippers (rajnaitik pujari) of black money who term our actions against it as anti-people," Modi said at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention here.
Asserting that Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a celebration to mark the return to India of one of the greatest Pravasis Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister said the Indians abroad are valued not just for their strength in numbers but are respected for the contributions they make.
He said the Indian diaspora represents the best of Indian culture, ethos and values.
"The true identity of this event is you, the overseas Indians. It is a matter of pride for us that you all are here to attend this. There are over 30 million overseas Indians living abroad. They are not just respected for their numbers, but for the contributions they make," said Modi.
"They are role models for immigrants from other backgrounds and countries. They take our values and culture wherever they go. The Indian diaspora have contributed their best towards progress in that country," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said the remittance of close to sixty nine billion dollars annually by overseas Indians makes an invaluable contribution to the Indian economy.
"Earlier there used to be talk of 'brain drain'. With your help, we want to turn that drain into 'brain gain'," he added.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been held traditionally on January 9 every year to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi as a Pravasi from South Africa to India.
(With agency inputs)
