Paul McKenzie, CEO of Australian Business Solutions, writes about his recent experience last month with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Australia.
It was centre stage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Australia – Brisbane hosted him for the G20 Summit, Sydney hosted him for the AllPhones Arena Community Reception, Canberra hosted him for the special joint parliamentary session speech and Melbourne hosted him for the AIBC 500 business leaders forum, with a MCG gala dinner. I was deeply honoured and privileged to have the Modi experience in Sydney and Melbourne, with my business focus.
The Sydney Community Reception had the making of seeing Prime Minister Narendra Modi like a rock star. The theme being Modi and India and with the participation of so many Indians living in Australia, the atmosphere in the Arena was electrifying.
Great Indian Bollywood music and performances, massive 16,500 congregation waiting for him with “Modi, Modi, Modi” chants .
Cricket Legend Brett Lee, Premier Mike Baird and local parliamentary members arrived on stage, before the grand historic entrance of Prime Minister Modi into the Arena.
Earlier in the speech, Prime Minister Modi in a humorous mood addressed the crowd and said, “I apologize, it took 28 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia. But I promise you now, it won’t be 28 years when I visit next”.
The humor gave laughter to the 16,500 audience. I saw Modi as a genuine, sincere man, with natural charm. The speech towards the end came out with the announcement of visas on arrival for Australians that is to benefit Aussie tourists, business and families.
Whilst friends who were lucky enough went to Canberra for the special joint parliamentary session speech, I went down to Melbourne, with other friends for the AIBC 500 business leader’s forum.
In Melbourne, walking into the Government House ball room was a great experience in itself as I get a chance to see famous faces like transport Magnate Lindsay Fox, Mining Magnate Gina Reinhart and my local federal member Treasurer Joe Hockey.
The AIBC 500 business leaders forum was proudly organised by the Australia India Business Council with National Chair Dipen Rughani and Vice National chair Sheba Nandkeolyar.
Prime Minister Modi spoke about the need to find new growth and prosperity.
“Sometimes problems come to us so that we can become more disciplined”.
Prime Minister Modi addressing the Australia Business leaders in Melbourne said that India is fast rising exporter and in a short time frame has moved from 14th to 5th place.
Prime Minister further wants the ease of doing business and his campaigns “Make it India” – and “Vibrant Gujarat” are an example of that.
He spoke about India’s need for broadband, water resources, ports and railways, airports, smart cities – road highways – IT highways etc and said that India has three “Ds – Democracy, Demography and Demand”.
Prime Minister Modi further said, “Both India and Australia are strong resilient economies and stressed that both the countries need to start taking up more joint ventures which will help in building good bonds between the two countries”.
We came out of the AIBC 500 business leader’s forum with a sense, that Australia-India relations are now in new heights, history making moments and Australia-India business, trade and investment will have major focus and growth in 2015.
“Visit of Indian Prime Minister ended up with great history making moments which will trickle down benefits for both the countries and will help in building stronger and more prosperous economies”.