Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
I am your family, says Modi to Bohra Muslims
MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised the Dawoodi Bohra community, saying it had constantly adapted to changing times and kept its relevance intact. This, he said, was the sign of a progressive society, which helped in a country’s development.
While inaugurating the new Marol campus of the Aljameatus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy, a prominent educational institution of the community, Modi said he was like a family member of the Bohra community and had good relations with the Sydena’s family for the last 50 years. “Coming here among you, feels like coming to a family. But I have a complaint. You repeatedly call me Prime Minister or Chief Minister… I am your family member, neither Prime Minister nor chief minister. I consider myself fortunate to have something that few have. I have been connected to this family (of
Syedna) for their 4 generations and they all have come to my house,” he said.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, welcomed the PM in the presence of hundreds of community members. Lauding the Bohra community for its continuous efforts to upgrade the curriculum in its educational institutions, Modi said that the community’s empowerment of women through education inspired others in society. “Development and legacy are both important for the country as well as the diverse ideologies that have been the prime speciality of this country,” he said. “We have been marching forward on the path of development by blending tradition and modernity. We need the contribution of all faiths in this.” PM’s visit comes at a time when his party is aiming to win the Mumbai civic elections and reaching out to various communities, including the minorities. The PM said that Ancient India, with its universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila, was once the centre of learning for students from across the globe. “To bring that glory back, we have to upgrade our educational system,” he remarked. “In the last eight years, we have been emphasising on modern education. Our government aims to open medical colleges in every district and we have been opening one University and two colleges every week.” Modi, remarking on the Bohras being a successful mercantile community said, “We have brought historic improvement in the ease of doing business by abolishing 40,000 compliances and decriminalising hundreds of provisions.”
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, said, “India has been our home for centuries, and we are at peace here. I prayed that every child in the nation and across the world receives a beneficial education and the opportunity to grow and flourish.”
PM takes chopper ride to prevent traffic snarls
To prevent traffic snarls in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi travelled by helicopter to attend functions. After reaching the Mumbai airport, he took an Indian Air Force chopper to INS Shikra naval base in Colaba from where he travelled by road to CSMT. After the function, he returned to INS Shikra and took the chopper to airport. From there, he took the road to Marol, where he inaugurated a new campus of an Arabic academy.
White curtains to hide shanties?
Authorities had put up white cloth to hide shanties on P D’mello road which the PM’s cavalcade took to reach CSMT. The video of the same went viral, reminding people of the metal panels and hoardings put up to hide shanties during the G20 event in Mumbai.
‘Akela Modi sab pe bhari’
After facing criticism in the Parliament over the Adani issue, PM Modi had returned the favour with a jibe, “Akela Modi sab pe bhari” (Modi alone is more than enough for all). Taking a cue, BJP workers displayed placards with text ‘Akela Modi sab pe bhari.’
Bohra’s grand welcome
Bohra community gave a grand welcome to Modi on his way to Arabic academy in Marol. Community members stood on pavements along the road or waited in balconies to greet the PM and the community’s spiritual leader Syedna.