My definition of secularism is very simple - India first, says Narendra Modi

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi addressed Indians in the states of Edison, New Jersey, Chicago, Illinois in the US through video conferencing. Here are the highlights of what he said:

• Many Indians living abroad come back to India and try to do their bit for the country. They open schools, hospitals and other facilities in the rural areas in the country in a hope of doing something for the society. I respect all these people
• When we were under the British rule, I believe we could have been a successful trading country
• We could have benefited from trade and we could have been a very very prosperous country
• Under Vajpayee's rule, the whole world was looking at India and expected us to be one of the leading economies in the world. But unfortunately that didn't happen.
• Global recession affected the whole world's economy. Countries like america n europe were shaken.  But our industrialists and traders didn't give up
• Due to good governance, cheap labour and manufacturing capabilities, the whole came to India
  
• The whole world realised that India was a great opportunity for investment
• Gujarat benefited from it. The whole realised that Gujarat was a great place to establish manufacturing units and industries
• In Gujarat, we focus on skill development. The Union Budget of India allocates Rs 1000 crore for skill development; in Gujarat we have allocated Rs 800. This should give you an idea of the Gujarat model
• Even President Obama spoke in great detail about the importance of skill development when he was re-elected
  
• My definition of  secularism is very simple - India first
• If we think of India first all the time, secularism will take care of its own
• Development is the mantra that will rid us of all our problems. Development will take our country forward
• People say good economics is bad politics. This is not how it should be. Development must be the main agenda, not politics. People will forgive your flaws if you work sincerely for the good of people
• It's been 12 years, but I haven't lost my vigour, my commitment to development
  
• Today if a village doesn't get electricity or water, it troubles me. If a girl doesn't get education, I get worried
• Gujarat was never a tourist destination but today I have made it one of the best tourist destinations in the country
• I welcome all of you to visit Gujarat. I ask all Indian families to send your children to India
• I am humbled by my acceptance. This is a win for the people of Gujarat. It is a win for my mantra of development.