 will be remembered as an inflection point in Indian history. You do not become a global power just by accident. It takes leadership and decisive action. This is a prime minister who has instilled in our hearts the love and aspiration for India. A man from a modest and humble beginning has left his indelible mark on the global stage. Ladies and gentlemen, it would be unwise on my part to speak any more about someone who literally no need for introduction anywhere in the world today. So here is Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Das Modi delivering the inaugural speech for GIT 2020. Welcome, sir. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Namaskar. Friends, I'm delighted to address a conference on globalizing Indian thought at a prestigious center of learning like the I am Koji Code. It is a matter of joy that such well-known centers of learning are taking interest in these subjects. It is no coincidence that we're talking about globalizing Indian thought at a time when a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda finds a special place on this campus. Who can forget the contribution of Swami Vivekananda in globalizing Indian thought years ago? On 11 September 1893, Swami Vivekananda gave a glimpse of India's ethos during his iconic speech in Chicago. As we all know, the moment he began his speech with sisters and brothers of America, there were loud claps. The magic word's not in the words. What was on display was India's conviction and commitment to universal brotherhood. Friends, Indian thought is vibrant and diverse. It is constant and evolving. It is too vast to be put in a lecture or a seminar or even a book. But broadly, there are certain ideas that have remained center to Indian values. They are compassion, harmony, justice, service, and openness. Friends, let me talk about what draws the world to India. First and foremost, what comes to the mind is the values of peace, unity, and brotherhood. So many states, so many languages, so many dialects, so many faiths, so many customs and traditions, so many food habits, so many lifestyles, so many ways of dressing. Yet for centuries, we have lived in peace. For centuries, we have welcomed the world to our land. Our civilization has prospered when many could not buy because one finds peace and harmony here. Friends, it has also been our strength that our thoughts have become living traditions guided by simplified and relatable practices. These practices are neither rigid nor of dimensionals. That beauty is in the fact that they can be practiced differently. Friends, ours is the land that has given the world vibrant faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. In this land, the Sufi tradition has flourished. Non-violence is at the core of all of these. In the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi championed these ideals and these contributed to India's freedom. At the same time, they gave strength to millions outside. Be it Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Nelson Manila or the freedom struggles in many African nations. They took inspirations from Gandhiji. Several Indian soldiers lost their lives in both world wars. They fought bravely even though India had no stake in these wars. We never wanted anyone's land or resources but our soldiers fought for peace. For decades, India remains one of the biggest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations globally. If some of the most conflict-prone zones could breathe the air of peace our soldiers have a role to play in that. In a world seeking to break free from mindless hate, violence, conflict, and terrorism the Indian way of life offers raise of hope. The Indian way of conflict avoidance is not by brute force but the power of dialogue. Friends, when I say India believed in peace and harmony this includes harmony with mother nature and our environment. The Vedas say YAM RAKSHANTE SWAPRAGA VISHVADANI DEVABHUMEHI PRUTVIM PRASADAM Mother Earth, where saints meditated, had been called the giver of everything on whom all life forms depend. Our tradition considers the Earth as our mother. Divinity in India is associated with many animals. Kautilya has written widely about protecting flora and fauna. We see traces of the spirit in many of the efforts being undertaken today. India had taken the lead in forming the International Solar Alliance to harness solar energy for a cleaner tomorrow. We are devoting efforts towards increasing usage of renewable energy. India's mass movement towards adopting LED bulbs has contributed to significant energy saving. 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed. 1 crore street lights have been replaced by LED. This has led to cost saving to the tune of around Rs. 25,000 crore. Over 4 crore tons of carbon dioxide emissions have reduced. Energy saving is huge as well. Distinguished guests, India's tiger population had doubled since 2006. Today, India is home to almost 2,970 tigers. Three quarters of the global tiger population stays in India. We are one of the most secure tiger habitats. Back in 2010, the world had agreed to double tiger population by 2022. India achieved way in advance. Similarly, the lion population in India had grown up by almost 30% from 2010 to 2015. Friends, India's forest cover is growing. The number of protected areas stood at 692 in 2014. This increased to more than 860 in 2019. There were 43 community reserves in 2014. Now, there are over 100. These facts are drawing many environment and wildlife lovers to India. You would have seen the man versus wild program. It led to great interest in India. Friends, today, mindful living, health-conscious eating, various types of fitness routines are becoming very popular. You know that many of these health practices that are popular worldwide will find their roots in India. Centuries ago, sages from India practiced yoga and gave the world Ayurveda. Yoga is not only a set-up exercise, it is much more than that. Yoga is a means to both fitness and wellness. It leads to fit body and healthy mind. The IM community is one of the brightest but one of the most busy group of people. The excellent work prospect also brings with it's stressful routines. I would urge them all to devote time to yoga. You will see the positive difference it brings. Friends, one of the most remarkable aspects of this land is the respect, importance, and dignity given to women. Naritu Narayani, women are manifestation of divinity. The clarion call for women empowerment has been raised century after century by Indian thought leaders. Who can forget the bhakti sense of India? Who can forget the role of great son like Raja Ram Mohan Rai and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar? Who can forget the efforts of Mahatma Phule and Savitri Bhai Phule? Even while most western countries took decades to giving voting rights to women, the makers of our constitution ensured women had voting rights from the very first day. Today more than 70% of mudra loans beneficiaries are women. Women are making active contribution to our armed forces. A group of women navy officers went around the entire world by sea. That was historic. India had the highest number of women MPs today. Women turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls was the highest. Friends, India celebrates openness. Mahatma Gandhi put it perfectly when he said, I do not want my house to be walled in all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown up my feet by any. Gandhi ji showed it is possible to be proud of our own culture and yet be open to other cultures and stay in harmony with them. In this work, Bharat Tirtha, Gurudev, Rabindranath Tagore, wrote about India, all shall give and take mingle in, none shall depart, dejected from the shore of the sea of Bharat, vast humanity. Friends, where there is an openness, respect for different opinions, innovation is natural. The innovative zeal of Indians is drawing the world to India. The idea of zero born in our land, it perhaps the most universal and radical idea. It transforms the study of maths. We are a nation with a vibrant young population. Our demographic dividend makes us a magnet for investment. Everybody wants to be in India today. Our software industry two decades ago and our startup ecosystem today shows the power of India's youth. Friends, when we are talking about globalization and Indian thought, it is also important to discuss its application. It would make everyone proud that being rooted to Indian systems and traditions, India is surging ahead on the path of development. You can see it in the manner in which India has achieved remarkable financial inclusion or how we have rolled out the world's largest health care program in the world or how India has given crores of smoke free kitchens to millions. Millions of homes have been made for the poorest of the poor. Look at our election process. Millions of voters vote peacefully. Polling booths are set up where there is even one voter in remote areas. No wonder India's position in the world order is rising. Friends, Indian thought has given a lot to the world and has potential to contribute even more. It has the potential to solve some of the most leading challenges our planet faces. We are taught from childhood. May everyone be happy. May everyone be free from sickness. May everyone see goodness. May there be no unhappiness. Here everyone does not only refer to India and Indians. It refers to the world. India believes that when India progress, the world will progress. And when the world prosperous, India will gain by it. I hope seminars such as this popularize more aspects of Indian thought among people. With this, I conclude my remarks and convey my best wishes to IIM Kojiko. Thank you. Thank you very much. Prime Minister, before I request you to unveil the digital statue of Swami Vivekananda, I want to quote the original Bengali version from Tagore that you translated for us.