Modi gets virtual voice vote from NRIs on his performance

Modi has reasons to cheer as the 18,500-strong crowd at a California stadium roared affirmatively.

The PM's hour-long address at a reception in San Jose was his last engagement during  two-day visit to Silicon Valley, where he  also met tech giants and visited Facebook and Google.

"Today after 16 months, I want a certificate from you. I had said I will not leave any stone unturned... to fulfill the responsibility I have been given by 125 crore people. Every moment of my life I will devote to work. Have I kept my promise, am I working hard?" he asked.

As the enamoured crowd was celebrating Modi's presence chanting "Modi, Modi," he made  it deliver a virtual voice vote in his favour.

"My countrymen, I am standing in your midst. Is there any allegation against me?" the PM asked.

"No," said the audience in one voice.

To strengthen the position of the government he is leading, Modi made yet another attack on the opposition Congress without naming it: "In our country, it doesn't take much for allegations to come up against politicians... This person made Rs. 50 crore, that son made Rs. 250 crore, that daughter made Rs. 500 crore, someone's damaad (son-in-law) made Rs. 1,000 crore..."

The workd "Damaad"  is being seen as a reference to Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and his controversial land deals.

"Aren't you sick of all of this? Aren't you angry?" he asked.

Giving a twist to the coinage "brain drain", the PM  said it is a phenomenon which can be turned into "brain gain" for India.

"Did anyone think brain drain can become brain gain? This is not brain drain but brain deposit. When the opportunity comes, it will come to the service of Mother India - with Interest," he said.

"The magic of your fingers on the keyboard has given India a new identity. You are forcing the world to change," he told the audience that that largely comprised  IT professionals.