PM Modi's 'Living as One Big Family' Speech to Indian Diaspora in Indonesia

KOMPAS.com - India has taken over the leadership of the G20 – a group of well-meaning nations that are destined to guide the global economies. The mantle of this group changed hands from the second-largest democracy in Asia to the world’s largest democracy as Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo handed over the baton to the Indian Premier Narendra Modi.

These two nations have more in common than what meets the eye, and it is only a matter of time that these two great nations will have to come together for the benefit of humanity. For a start, both Jokowi as well as Modi are impressed by Krishna. Whereas Jokowi rates Krishna as his favorite Hero, Modi quotes Bhagwat Gita as his beacon in life.

Indonesia, where the summit was recently hosted, displays its cultural proximity with India not only in the Hindu-majority province of Bali but in every institution and the most important locations. Be it the famous roundabout in central Jakarta that has Arjuna and Krishna on the chariot to most of the Universities or Government institutions that have idols of Ganesha to welcome you or the fact that the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata are recited in common homes.

In these settings, the significance of Prime Minister Modi taking up the challenge of leading the G20 increases further. The impact of the group shall be discussed in echelons worldwide but we shall try and understand the message that Modi had for the masses in Indonesia, the Indian Diaspora, and those distractors who believe in underplaying the achievements.

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In India, the opposition shouts lack of job creation and hardships due to Modified economic systems and they have their logic for such a stance but the general law-abiding public, the Indian diaspora, and the followers of India worldwide are very happy.

The law-abiding Indian irrespective of the demographics has started to realize that a benevolent leader has the capability of changing their lives. The Indian diaspora has started to feel proud of showing the Blue passport and the Indian follower has started to feel the philosophy that India stands for.

Indonesia as a nation would certainly be one huge population that follows India and feels the connection since the historic times, which were strengthened by the heroics of Bintang Jasa Utama awardee, the Ex CM of Orissa Shri Biju Patnaik who flew his Dakota in war zones to rescue Soekarno, the first President of Indonesia. The recent Padam Shree award to Putra Manuaba from Bali also outlines the deep relationship where Indonesians get appreciation in India.

Modi’s address to the Indian community started with a reference to the Bali Jatra festival held on the shore of Orissa almost simultaneously as his address went on to list the kite flying festivals and close cultural ties among the largest democracies of Asia. Modi’s address has given hope to the Indian Diaspora which has graduated from being foreigners in different lands to be ambassadors of the great civilization in every part of the world.

He has also given hope even to the common Indonesian living in poverty that just like India, the situation can become better with the right leadership, to the mindset impacted by Corona that India will come to its help irrespective of caste, creed, nationality, religion, or race. For a country like Indonesia where humanity overrides religious beliefs, where love overrides politics, and where respect for life is a basic essential trait, Modi’s address surely must have made a huge impact on living as one big family.

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The Indian Premier's charisma in creating bonds is unparalleled. Perhaps in the history of Independent nations, there has been no leader who could relate to the heads of state as well as to the masses they lead with equal fervor and zest, communicate with them in an alien language but still convey the message for the betterment of humanity. Indonesia is no different. It is common to find people in malls, restaurants, and shops seeing an Indian face and telling them that they like India’s Prime Minister, appreciate his policies, and express how good he is.

They believe the houses made for 3 crores (300,000) of poor families have pulled them out of the streets and provided shelter. They appreciate that the health services in India are as impactful as the BPJS -- the government universal’s healthcare insurance program -- in Indonesia. The development of roads and rail networks has not only improved travel but also made it safer and the introduction of the poor to the financial sector has given them a chance to save and plan for their future.

They appreciate the huge drive to vaccinate the Indian population and feel even more grateful for the vaccines that India sent to the rest of the world. Indonesia did not get the Indian vaccine but the contribution of India as a world leader has not been ignored.

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