NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said "unity in diversity is the strength of our nation and this is what keeps inspiring us."

Addressing a NCC rally here on Wednesday, PM Modi expressed happiness over seeing girl cadets in large numbers and said," The parade (on 26th) was dedicated to 'Stree Shakti".

"I am standing in front of a mini-India," Narendra Modi said as he lauded the role of NCC.

"I am standing in front of a mini-India, a miniature of India's future... Our country is full of diversities, and unity in diversity is the beauty and strength of our nation. And this is what keeps inspiring us," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister revealed that defence minister Manohar Parrikar, minister of state for defence Rao Inderjit Singh, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP's Delhi chief minister candidate Kiran Bedi and actor turned MP Jaya Bachchan were all NCC cadets.

"I was also an NCC cadet but was never selected to come to Delhi," he said.

"We are blessed that we a youthful nation. Our dreams are young, our energy is young," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister urged more girls to join the NCC.

