MANGALURU: India's image is set for big global boost through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mega diaspora event 'Howdy, Modi!' in the USA, Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda said. Narendra Modi will share the stage with US President Donald Trump at this event to hold a tete-a-tete with NRIs, professionals, including doctors and engineers and share his vision for India with them.

In an interaction with media on Saturday, Gowda said this event will certainly give a big fillip to India’s image globally and this initiative is indeed laudable, he said. Incidentally, top US experts have hailed the decision by Donald Trump to join Narendra Modi at the Houston event on September 22 where the duo are expected to jointly address more than 50000 Indian-Americans at the sprawling NRG Stadium in what is seen as a win-win for both.

On developments in his ministry, Gowda said steps have been taken to revitalise defunct fertiliser units across India. Four major fertiliser units had closed down in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The Narendra Modi government has set aside Rs 14,000 crore to revive them, he said, adding that these units will cater to the fertiliser demands of farmers across country. The government has succeeded in ending shortage of fertilisers in India, he noted.

The Centre will reach out to all flood-affected states including Karnataka and provide relief to them. There is no need for confusion in this regard. People of Karnataka need not be worried that their concerns will not be heard. He added, it is the duty of the Centre and the respective state governments to reach out to those who are in need, in a tacit reference to the consistent criticism from the opposition that Modi has forgotten Karnataka.

Taking pot shots at former CM Siddaramaiah , Gowda said, "Siddaramaiah has succeeded in finishing Congress (in Karnataka). I don’t know what his final wish is?" Parrying a question on possible mid-term polls in the state, which the Election Commission of India announced later, Gowda said "Siddaramaiah does not sleep at night and dozes during the day. One does not know what his final wish is. Some people have strange wishes in their final days!"

