Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) here, and said that the world is and will remain a better place because of the UN.
While addressing the diplomatic community, private sector representatives, UNESCO staff, and leading personalities, including UNESCO's Paris-based goodwill ambassadors, Modi said the United Nations keeps the world together.
"No organisation serves our cause more than United Nations ," he said.
Saying that he was truly honoured to address UNESCO, Modi said he felt specially privileged to visit the great institution in its 70th anniversary year.
Describing the United Nations as an organisation for the entire world, Modi said: “Through the sweeping change of these decades, through many challenges of our times, and the great progress of this era, the organisation has endured and grown”.
He, however, called for urgent reforms.
But he also insisted that for the nations that came together at its birth, there is one unshakeable belief and that is - “Our world is and will remain a better place because of the United Nations”.
“It is this faith that has given birth to so many of its institutions that deal with every aspect of human challenge,” added the PM.
“Our collective goal is to seek a peaceful and prosperous future for our world, in which every nation has a voice; all peoples have an identity; all cultures are flowers in a garden; every human being has a life of dignity; every child a future of opportunity; and our planet the chance to preserve its glory.”
“No organisation serves our cause more than this one. The seeds of our collective destiny are sown in human minds. It is nurtured by the light of education and the spirit of enquiry. It makes progress through the marvels of science. And, it draws strength from the basic character of Nature – the harmony and unity in diversity. That is why UNESCO was among the first missions of the United Nations. That is why India values the work of UNESCO so deeply, and cherishes our partnership so immensely.”
Modi added that he was conscious of the extraordinary legacy of India's relationship from the time of UNESCO's birth.
“I recall Mahatma Gandhi's message to UNESCO, calling for urgent action to address the needs of education to secure lasting peace; and, the leadership of Dr Radhakrishnan, later our President, in the early years of this institution.”
He thanked UNESCO for extending support for education and science in India and for preservation of the country's cultural heritage.
“The foundation of our Constitution rests on a fundamental principle: the peace and prosperity of all is indivisible from the welfare of the individual; the strength of the nation is determined by the joined hands of every citizen, and real progress is measured through empowerment of the weakest,” added Modi.
He underlined: “We shall judge our progress not just by the cold statistics of growth, but by the warm glow of belief and hope on human faces.”
He further vowed to defend and protect the rights and liberty of every citizen. “We will ensure that every citizen, of every faith, culture and creed has an equal place in our society, belief in his/her future, and the confidence to pursue it.”
Insisting on the significance of education in our tradition, the PM said: “As our ancient saying goes, it is vyaye krate vardhate eva nityam, vidhya dhanam sarva dhan pradhanam - The wealth that increases by giving, That wealth is knowledge and is supreme of all possessions.”
“We have launched the most ambitious programme to provide skills to our youth, and education for every child in the remotest villages,” the PM told the gathering.
He also asserted that India's progress will remain a mirage “unless women no longer suffer from daily fear, or barriers to opportunity, and when they are no longer victims of exclusion and prejudice. And,this change must begin with the girl child.”
Saying that the programme to educate and support the girl child in India is one that is closest to his heart, the PM said he would ensure that they can go to school, and that too safely.
He further said that a digital India will create a participative and transparent government.
"Our digital India will create a participative, transparent and a responsive government connected to our citizens," Modi said while addressing the gathering.
He said providing a roof over every head, power in every house, sanitation and clean water, hope for every child to survive, and a chance for every new mother to love her child will be the key priorities for his government.
“To achieve these goals, we need not just policies and resources, but even more the power of science,” said the PM.
He further asserted that culture is a sublime expression of a people, and the foundations of a society. “UNESCO's initiatives to preserve the world's cultural heritage, including in India, are inspiring.”
We have launched ‘Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana to preserve the cultural heritage of our cities. We have started a special scheme called "PRASAD” – Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive” for rejuvenation of our pilgrim centres, announced the PM.
Modi further spoke of the fault lines in the world that are shifting from the boundaries of nations into the web of societies and streets of cities.
“The threats are changing from domination by states to destruction by groups. We fight today not only over what we claim, but also for who we are. And in many parts of the world, culture remains a source of conflict. We have access to communication at the click of a mouse. We live in a world of information. Yet, we know that familiarity does not always lead to fraternity, or reduce prejudice,” the PM said.
He said that culture must connect, not divide, world. “It should be a bridge to greater respect and understanding between people. It should join nations in peace and harmony. Across India's neighbourhood, Asia and Indian Ocean, we are retracing our cultural connections to forma closer bond of friendship in this dynamic region.”
He also touched upon the issue of climate change and described it as a pressing global challenge, which calls for a collective human action and a comprehensive response.
“In India, faith and Nature have had a deep link since ancient times. For us, the only path to prosperity is the sustainable one. We make this choice with the natural instincts of our culture and tradition. But, we also do this with a commitment to our future.”
“We have, for example,set a target of adding 175,000 MW of clean and renewable energy in the next seven years. Too often, our discussion is reduced to an argument about emission cuts. But, we are more likely to succeed if we offer affordable solutions, not simply impose choices. That is why I have called for global public action to develop clean energy, that is affordable and accessible to all.”
It is for the same reason that he said he calls for a change in lifestyle.
“It is with this vision that I had called the United Nations General Assembly last September to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.”
He concluded by saying: “UNESCO's responsibilities to our future have become bigger; and, so our resolve must be stronger”.
He earlier met UNESCO director-general Irina Georgieva Bokova. During the talks, Bokova told the PM that his priorities resonate with UNESCO's goals.
Technology has made citizens http://t.co/S8OwZuocEq organisations need to adjust to these realities-PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/JWH3NaYf42
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 10, 2015
Among the attendees is Bollywood actor Mallika Sherawat.
Our Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi at Unesco pic.twitter.com/Ad6NZfSv3l
— Mallika Sherawat (@mallikasherawat) April 10, 2015
As soon as he reached at the UNESCO headquarters, Modi offered flowers to the statue of Sri Aurobindo, the Indian philosopher who took part in India's independence movement.
After speaking at UNESCO, the PM will attend a lunch hosted by the National Assembly president.
Modi, who arrived in the French capital on Thursday, received a ceremonial welcome this morning as he began his two-day official visit to France.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was present during the ceremonial reception to Modi accorded at the large courtyard of the seventh century Les Invalides, which houses a military museum.
Modi shook hands with Indian dignitaries, including Ajit Doval, national security adviser, who was present.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, on microblogging website Twitter, tweeted a picture of the PM:
India-France stepping ahead in unison. PM @narendramodi at Les Invalides pic.twitter.com/1eMrt63whJ
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 10, 2015
After the ceremony, Modi, accompanied by Fabius, attended two back-to-back French CEOs forum meetings, one on infrastructure and the other on defence technology.
India is identified as a bright spot in global economy - Minister @LaurentFabius at CEOs meet with PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/4kE26X24Qc
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 10, 2015
750,000 member MEDEF hosts PM @narendramodi to address key 'Make in India' goals to French companies. pic.twitter.com/A9t9m9o4kd
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 10, 2015
A highlight of his today's schedule will be a boat ride with French President François Hollande, which is being described as 'naav pe charcha' (chat on boat). Earlier, PM Modi has had 'chai pe charcha' (chat over tea) with foreign leaders, including President Barack Obama during his visit to New Delhi in January.
On the first leg of his three-nation visit, Prime Minister Modi will meet French President Hollande and hold a tête-à-tête before holding bilateral talks. The two leaders will receive a report of Indo-French CEOs forum. Then they will take a boat ride on the Seine, before President Hollande hosts a banquet for the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister's special Air India aircraft landed at the Orly International Airport late Thursday night, or just past midnight India time.
He was received at the airport by French Minister Sergolene Royal and other senior French officials. Many members of the Indian community were gathered at the airport to greet the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister flies to Germany on April 12 and later travels to Canada.
