Auckland, July 11: Addressing a large gathering of Indian expatriates in Auckland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminisced about his first visit to New Zealand. He shared that he brought a special memento from that trip with him this time.
During the grand event named ‘Kia Ora Modi,’ alongside New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Modi expressed that he carries the best wishes of 1.4 billion Indians. He noted that being the first Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand in 40 years is a matter of great honor for him.
Modi recounted, “About 25-30 years ago, when I was not part of any government and few people knew me in public life, I had the opportunity to visit New Zealand. At that time, I was gifted three items: a muffler, a hat, and a glove. Today, I have brought one of those items with me to this event… this muffler, which I have kept safe and used many times over the years.”
He mentioned that he specifically brought the muffler with him after learning about the cold weather in New Zealand. “I take care of it just as I cherish the love you have for me,” he added, prompting loud applause from the audience.
On Friday, members of the Indian community warmly welcomed Modi and reminisced about his visit in 2001, where he emphasized the importance of preserving Indian culture and traditions.
Dinesh Pahuja, a member of the Indian community in New Zealand, shared memories of Modi’s earlier visit during a conversation with the social media platform X, which highlights inspiring stories from Modi’s life. Pahuja recalled that during that trip, Modi visited a Gujarati school and inquired about the education being provided to the children regarding Indian values and culture.
He stated, “A Gujarati school was established here to teach young children the language. When Modi visited, he asked whether only the language was taught or if discussions about Indian values and culture were also included.”
According to Pahuja, when Modi learned that the school focused solely on language, he emphasized the need to educate children about their homeland and the developments in India to keep them connected to their roots.
He added, “Modi said that through this Gujarati school, we can keep children connected to their homeland and impart knowledge of our culture. This will help them understand India better.”
The ‘Modi Story’ account on X noted, “During his visit to the Gujarati school run by the Manukau Indian Association, Modi suggested incorporating cultural values and heritage into the curriculum. His aim was for children to not only learn the language but also to stay proudly connected to their Indian roots and values.”
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