When we move a mouse, whole world moves: Modi

‘To honour Gandhi, Indians should work towards "Swachh Bharat" (clean India) by 2019’

• Breaks security cordon to mingle with Indian crowd
• DNA of non-violence engrained in our society: PM
• Subash Chandra Bose's memories to be recorded

Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged Indians in Japan to work for Mahatma Gandhi's "clean India" dream and spread the message back home in India, if needed, by WhatApp.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in Japan, PM Modi said to honour Gandhi Indians should work towards "Swachh Bharat" (clean India) by 2019.

"So if you write to your folks back in India...I know you don't write letters anymore... You must be connected on WhatsApp or have made friends on Twitter, it is important to get the message across, no matter what the medium," he said. Warming up to his theme, Modi recounted how he told an interpreter in Taiwan, "We've had devaluation. We used to play with snakes now we play with the mouse. When we move a mouse, the whole world moves." The interpreter had apparently asked whether "black magic and snake charmers still exist in India."

Modi sought to address concerns of international community over India not signing the NPT by saying that the country's commitment to peace and non-violence is engrained in the "DNA of Indian society" which is above any international treaty or processes.

"India is a land of Lord Buddha. Buddha lived for peace and suffered for peace and that message is prevalent in India," Modi said at Sacred Heart University here while replying to a question by a student. During an interaction, he was asked how India would enhance trust of the international community without changing its stand on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which it has refused to sign despite possessing nuclear weapons.

Asserting that India's "commitment to non-violence is total", Modi said it is engrained in the "DNA of Indian society and this is above any international treaty", apparently referring to India’s refusal to sign the NPT. "In international affairs, there are some processes. But above them is the commitment of the society," he said, underlining the need for rising "above the treaties".

India will send a team of videographers to Japan to record the accounts of the Japanese people who have been close to nationalist leader Subash Chandra Bose when he was in this country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. "When I talk about Subash Chandra Bose, there will be many here who reminisce him and his memories," said Modi while addressing a programme organised by Japan-India Association. "I have asked the ambassador that a highly professional video team will be with him for a month to record the accounts of people who have been close to Bose, we should take these historic ties forward," he said on the fourth-day of his visit. Modi also acknowledged a 93-year-old man in the audience for his closeness to the patriot.

PM’s dig at 'secular friends'
Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a dig at his "secular friends" over his gifting a copy of the holy Hindu text 'Bhagvad Gita' to Japanese Emperor Akihito, saying they could kick up a storm and trigger TV debates back home. Modi had an audience with Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace here on the fourth day of his five-day visit to Japan to strengthen bilateral ties. Addressing the members of the Indian community at a reception here, Modi spoke of him carrying a copy of the Gita during the Japan visit for gifting it to the Emperor. "For gifting I brought a Gita. I do not know what will happen in India after this. There may be a TV debate on this. Our secular friends will create 'toofan'( storm) that what does Modi think of himself? He has taken a Gita with him that means he has made this one also communal," the Prime Minister said.

What Modi said to TCS trainees
Tokyo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked Japanese youth undergoing training from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to return as India's ambassadors to Japan while inaugurating a new initiative.

"You are going as employees of TCS. But I want you to come back to Japan as ambassadors of India," PM Modi told the first batch of 48 trainees headed to India for a six-eight week training stint at various TCS offices. "The 21st century is the century of knowledge and technology. I am sure all of you will gain knowledge by travelling in India," he said. He also asked the trainees not to limit their time in India to just classrooms and offices, but also to explore the rest of the country. He also encouraged them to sample Indian cuisine. "I can tell you that even if you stay in India for six months and want to enjoy a new dish daily, you will not have to repeat a single dish," he added.