'Let world leaders see the smaller towns of India'

“The visit of the president of China is extremely important,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while explaining the import of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat to welcome President Xi who will be arriving in Ahmedabad on Wednesday afternoon.

Explaining the importance of Xi’s visit to Gujarat, Modi said, “This is a shubh sharuat (auspicious beginning). Let the leaders of the world see the small states and towns of India.

“It is difficult to understand the entire country by seeing only New Delhi,” he added, echoing the opinion of many that it is not enough to see New Delhi and get a taste of the real India. “This country is full of diversity.”

Modi also quoted Field Marshal K M Cariappa, who said how he had travelled all round the world and had received huge respect and salutes but when he was facilitated in his native place he loved it the best. Modi said, “The pleasure of getting a welcome in one's native place is special.”

He said the experience he received as chief minister of Gujarat for 14 years has come in handy in running the country. “Any common man would get deranged (in New Delhi running the vast country.)” (In Gujarati Modi said, "Samanya manas to ghangho thayi jai."). Modi said the training he got in running a state like Gujarat was so perfect that he felt confident and was at ease running the country.

The prime minister said he has been able to adjust to the new work and new atmosphere easily due to his experience in running Gujarat. He expected to get fresh, before returning to New Delhi, in the state of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel as they continue to give him strength and inspiration.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP President Amit Shah in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.