Jammu, May 04:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to Denmark on Tuesday, during the course of his European tour at a time when the world is struggling to find answers to Russia-Ukraine war, Odisha became centre of attention and it was highlighted in his speeches s also in the optics of the guest and host bonhomie and enhancing bilateral relations between Delhi and Copenhagen.
Modi, during his interaction with the Indian community at the Danish capital Copenhagen highlighted the progress that India had made in all fields, but then he made an appeal to the members of the Indian diaspora in Denmark and elsewhere in the world, to persuade five non-Indians to visit India every year. He said this is the task for each one of them. “This is the task I am assigning you. The work on this assignment should begin from this year only, as we are celebrating the 75th year of country’s independence.”
In the backdrop his visit , which is continuing as PM is scheduled to attend the second India-Nordic Summit, wherein he will hold meetings with the leaders of Sweden , Finland , Iceland and Norway., this was a great example of making the world to understand India better .
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had taken PM Modi to tour of her residence. She showed him the Odisha paintings that he had gifted to her during her visit to India in October last year. These paintings adorned her walls and she showed it as her prized possession and when he told the Indian community members to inspire, persuade and convince at least five-non Indians to visit different places in the country. Odisha, Kashmir, Bengal and Tamil Nadu were the places that he mentioned in his speech which was rapturously applauded by the audience by raising hands and hailing Modi in their full-throated slogans which reverberated within and outside the auditorium, a rare spectacle of sorts.
In a very subtle way, two objectives were attained in the foreign policy of the country: Modi wanted the world to know how diverse India is – if Odisha, the coastal state in the east was on his list, so was up in the Himalayas Kashmir, which also is crown of India. Tamil Nadu represents a different culture and tradition as same was true of West Bengal. All the three states – Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have the non-BJP governments, and Kashmir is under the Central rule. This way PM touched upon the political diversity of the land where democratic spirit vibrates. In the similar way, he highlighted the singular soft power of India.
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan while tweeting the picture of Danish PM and Modi in front of the Odisha pictures made a remarkable observation “ India’s soft power and Odisha’s treasure in the form of Pattachitra paintings adorns Denmark PM’ HE Frederiksen’s residence. She gave a tour of her residence to Hon. PM Narendra Modi ji and showed the painting gifted by PM Modi during her last India visit”, and concluded by saying: “Proud moment.”
Dharmendra Pradhan also detailed the historic and cultural importance of Pattachitra paintings and how these have depicted the epics like Ramayana. Ashwani Vaishnaw, minister for railways also tweeted the Odisha painting on the wall of the Danish PM’s residence with his remarks:” Folklores of Odisha- Pattchitra Painting at Denmark PM’s residence.” Ashwani represents Odisha in Rajya Sabha.
This messaging is important as the world today is lost in conflict. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has added to the challenges to the world order. Deep inside, PM Modi was telling the world that hard power alone cannot resolve issues, India is a home to soft power and knows how to address global issues . India, under the leadership of Modi, has distanced itself from taking sides in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict but said it quite vociferously that there should be “immediate ceasefire and the problem should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.”
