Despite Drought, India’s Growth Projected at 7.6%: Modi in Kenya

He was addressing the Indian community in Nairobi on his official visit to Kenya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Indian Community at Kasarni Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that he is aiming to take India’s growth to beyond 8 per cent. He made the statement while commending the people of Indian origin in Kenya for maintaining their Indian culture and tradition at the Kasarani Stadium in Kenya. He is on the the fourth and final leg of his four-nation African tour.

At a time when the world is going through an economic downturn, India is the only bright spot. My intention and desire is to take India’s growth rate to 8 per cent and beyond. Improving the quality of life for the ordinary Indian, that is the main task of my government

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India 

At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister commended the Indian community in Kenya for preserving their culture and tradition despite being away from their land of origin for generations. Modi got a pleasant surprise when Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta joined him at the venue unannounced. On his part, Modi said that it was a matter of ‘great privilege and honour for all of us that President Kenyatta is also among us to grace the occasion.’

The Indian community in India may be of Indian origin, but in heart, mind and soul they are truly Kenyan citizens. They must have only heard about Ganga, Assam, Nagaland or Mizoram. Despite this, it is commendable that they have been able to preserve Indian culture. Whatever be the reason and compulsions behind your ancestors coming to Kenya, you made it your own land and worked for Kenya’s progress,”

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India 

There are around 80,000 people of India origin in Kenya, most of whose ancestors were brought as labourers by the British rulers to work in railways. Some of them came to Kenya as traders.

On Monday, Modi will hold bilateral talks with Kenyatta and also visit the University of Nairobi and interact with students there.

After completing his engagements in Kenya, the Prime Minister will depart for India later in the day.This is the first prime ministerial visit from India to Kenya in 35 years after the visit of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982.

Apart from Kenya and Tanzania, Modi’s five-day Africa trip also took him to Mozambique and South Africa.

(With inputs from IANS)