PM addresses Indian diaspora in Tamil style

KUALA LUMPUR: The trappings were similar but the approach was different as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out on Sunday to the Indian diaspora in Malaysia, describing them as the “living bonds of friendship” between the two countries.

For one, Modi chose to speak in English – largely because many members of the diaspora have their roots in southern India and aren’t familiar with Hindi.

He also quoted from Tamil icons of the past and present – poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar and for mer President APJ Abdul Kalam – for a greater connect with the audience of about 15,000 at the Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The event, billed as “Malaysia Welcomes Modi”, was similar in other aspects to the elaborate shows organised in other countries with a large Indian-origin population that the Prime Minister has visited in recent months.

Modi began his speech with “Vanakkam” and a greeting in Tamil, drawing loud roars from the crowd comprising people of Indian origin – who account for almost 8% of Malaysia’s population – and Indian expatriates, who number about 130,000.

“As I stand before you, I am reminded of the words of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar: ‘Friendship is not just a smile on the face. It is what is felt deep within a smiling heart’,” Modi said.

He announced measures to strength the connection with the diaspora, saying his government would give an additional $1 million to a trust fund set up in 1954 to give financial aid to Malaysian-Indian children who lack the means for education.

Modi ended his speech with a quote from APJ Abdul Kalam, describing him as a “great son of India” and a “symbol of humanity”.