Atal and Advani had scripted golden era in Indian history, says Narendra Modi

New Delhi: BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi addressed the annual national convention of Overseas Friends of BJP in Florida via video conferencing today. This was Mr Modi's first address to NRIs since his anointment as PM candidate. 

Following are the highlights of Mr Modi's address:

• There has been an attack in a mall in Nairobi
• Many people lost their lives, our Indians are amongst those who lost their lives
• I believe that the Kenyan government will uproot such terrorists
• This is also a message to the world that we are living in the times of Gandhi
• The great leader who gave a message of peace to the world
• Terrorism is deeply rooted and challenging humanity
• Yesterday's Nairobi attack is such an attack
• Gandhi's principles and message shout out to us that we should spread peace and fight terrorism
• Violence in any form, anywhere should be measured on the same parameters
• Sometimes the deaths of the innocent people is ignored
• Under the NDA and leadership of Atal Behari Vajpayee, it was a remarkable period
• Under the NDA, not only Indians but across the world it was believed that 21st century was India's time to shine
• But the dream soon came to an end after Atal ji left power
• Instead of going ahead, we regressed and sank down
• Any Indian anywhere across the world felt that pain
• When the country faces a crisis, it weighs on our minds
• It is important that our society and country does not remain behind
• It is necessary to collectively move forward
• We ought to aim to move forward and go ahead
  
• We owe everything to India, our achievements
• It is our duty to do something for our country
• I am proud that Indians across the world want to do something for India
• Brothers and sisters, I am one of you
• I have had the opportunity to work within you. It is because of you, BJP, Atalji and Advaniji that I have this opportunity
• The country had never seen my work but they knew that BJP will do good for the people
• BJP workers have a connection with the common man
• Only BJP leadership can pull India out of a crisis and take it forward
• There is no paucity in knowledgeable people but that knowledge put together with an aim is what will take a country ahead
• There is an environment of belief and faith in the BJP party now
• That is because given the opportunity, BJP leadership has always stood tall on its responsibilities
• Today when you look at Rajasthan, people remember Vasundhara Scindia because of what she has done for the state
• Similarly in Goa, Karnataka - these states have achieved successful heights
• Under the leadership of Sushil Modi, Bihar has flourished in the departments under him
• The crux is that given the opportunity, BJP workers have delivered
• India has seen many governments, many models of governance
• Country has also seen Congress and BJP in some states
• Time demands that governance is compared and it will be evident that BJP governance will come out above all
• I appeal to you all, that you be the judge of our governance
• 2014 is a year of big decisions. Every government needs to show its work
• Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh is showing its people the kind of work it is doing for them
• But look at the Centre, it refuses to show people what it has done
• Shivraj ji in MP tours nook and corner of state to tell people of the work he has done, UPA is not ready to be accountable
  
• Modi has proved what it has done in December 2012. Gujarat in return has awarded Modi with a distinction
• Congress is involved in talks about Gujarat and Modi
• I would like to tell Congress that lets say if you are not convinced by a particular vision of BJP
• But will you accept that under the Atal ji leadership, India was growing @ 8.4 per cent
• Even if they take inflation to the rates as it was under Atal ji, the poor will still not have enough to eat
• Vajpayee's governance gave employment to six crore people in six years
• Is this not a vision? Education, employment, food for the poor - all these measures were taken care of under the Vajpayee government
• Recently there was a natural disaster in Uttarakhand
• In 2001 Gujarat earthquake, there was huge ruckus to pull the BJP government
• But no such noise for the Congress. Why? Because they have a secure cover of a vested group
• That group due to its interests does not want India to get rid of the Congress
• In 2014 we must fight these vested forces too
• There is a lot of hue and cry about who will become the PM
• 2014 isn't an election that a particular party or leader is contesting - the population of India is contesting to change its future
• 2014, India's farmer, youth, poor, hungry are fighting for a better future - that's the real fight
• 2014 elections will resonate the needs of the common man
• If you are an Indian passport holder, you must be a voter
• This is a right, you can be a part of the future of India
• Even if you don't live in India, I appeal to you that if you are a passport holder than you should register as a voter
• On this Diwali, will you make a list and let your family and friends know about this election event
• We do not have time to ponder on what will happen and what shall be the future of India
• So we must take action in our democratic capacity to change this government
• This is not an election for power, it is for the unemployed, for the poor, for the farmers, labor force, for our security forces, for the security of the future of the women
• Leaders will come and go, elections aren't for a post - its for the dream that Indians hold
• It is the power of the whole nation, not one leader
• I appeal to all in India and across the world: let us prepare for this democratic celebration