Modi's political rock concert in New York
Sporting a saffron-coloured jacket, Modi spoke in Hindi, drawing a huge applause when he announced that those with Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards will get lifetime visas. Video: Modi's full speech at Madison Square | In pics: Mega Modi show at Madison Square
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Sunday accorded a grand reception at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York on the third day of his five-day trip to the United States.
Amid loud chants of "Modi, Modi" and "Bharat Mata ki jai", over 18,000 Non-Resident Indiana and Indian Americans as well as 50 US Congressmen and Senators attended what some billed as 'rockstar' Modi's political concert, which ended with his 70-minute long speech.
Lifetime visa for PIO card holders
Sporting a saffron-coloured jacket, Modi spoke in Hindi, drawing a huge applause when he announced that those with Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards will get lifetime visas. He also said American tourists to India will soon get visas on arrival.
"Happy?" he asked as the crowd cheered his announcement. "There is even more to come," he said smilingly. In pics: Mega Modi show at Madison Square Garden
Modi announced that NRIs staying in India for long had to visit the police station, and "there is no need for them to do that anymore." He also said the Indian missions in the US would grant long term visas to US citizens and US tourists would get visa on arrival in India.
'Congress only made laws, I am removing archaic ones'
Taking a swipe at the Congress-led UPA, Modi said the earlier governments would keep harping on the number of laws they had come out with, but he has made it his mission to get rid of the "maze" of "useless" ones.Modi at Madison Square Garden: Have not taken 15 minute vacation
"Earlier governments would keep harping that we have made this 'kanoon' (law) and that 'kanoon'.. I have started a new one - the old 'kanoon', I have thrown away the 'bekaar' (useless) ones," he said.
"It was like a 'jaal' (maze) of 'kanoon', if one gets in, then they cant get out. I have set up a committee to examine them. If everyday, I can end one law, then it will be an achievement," he said.
'Winning elections a responsibility'
On the BJP's landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said winning elections is not for sitting on a seat but a responsibility and added that he has not taken even a 15-minute vacation since taking over the helm of the country. Mars mission cheaper than auto fare in Gujarat: Modi
The people of India and the diaspora have conveyed the strength of democracy through the elections, he said. "I will not do anything to make you lower your head. The government you have chosen will not leave anything out," he said.
'Indians played with snakes, now they play with mouse'
"India was once known as a world of snake charmers. Now the magic that its people have woven with the mouse in the Information Technology sphere is world-renowned," Modi said.
"I was in Taiwan some years ago. Someone wanted to ask a question and was hesitating. He asked if I won't feel bad, I said go ahead. He said I heard India is a land of black magic and snake charmers. I said no, our forefathers may have played with snakes but we now play with the mouse," he said in his address. Getting rid of maze of laws: Modi at Madison Square Garden
When is Modi meeting Obama?
The Madison Square Garden reception concluded Modi's three-day stay in New York where he attended the United Nations General Assembly and a series of other events. He will now leave for Washington for his crucial bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama on Monday and Tuesday.