Modi Unveils Mahatma's Statue In Brisbane, Gets Euphoric Welcome

BRISBANE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi got an euphoric reception from the Indian community in this Australian city, with hundreds of expatriate members chanting "Modi, Modi" to welcome him when he went to unveil the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parklands.

Modi later tweeted that he was "touched by enthusiasm of the Indian community!" and posted a picture of the venue where the statue was unveiled.

"Mahatma Gandhi is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime," Modi said at the function, beginning his bilateral engagements in Australia after the conclusion of the G20 summit.

He noted how the organiser of the event, Hemant Nayak, recalled that Modi was keen on having the statue installed even from the days when he had not yet become the chief minister of Gujarat.

He thanked Nayak for correcting the perception that some people had, that he had begun to mention Mahatma Gandhi only after becoming prime minister.

He said he never thought his suggestion (of having such a statue installed) would become a reality, or that he would have the good fortune of unveiling it, and he considered this moment to be no less than a divine message.

Addressing a gathering of the Indian-Australian community at the venue, the prime minister said, "On October 2 (1869), a person was not born in Porbandar, but an era was born", referring to the Mahatma.