Georgetown (Guyana): President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali bestowed the highest civilian award of the country, the Order of Great Honor to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a special ceremony in Georgetown on Wednesday.
PM Modi was in Guyana on Wednesday during the last leg of his three-nation visit. President Ali referred to PM Modi as a “leader who is a cut above the rest” for his impressive and visionary leadership. He said Modi’s leadership had impacted the course of underdeveloped nations.
In his address, President Ali heaved praises on PM Modi and hailed him as a ‘champion among leaders.’ “I am deeply honoured to be here today. Prime Minister Modi, you are a champion among leaders,” President Ali said.
“You (Modi) have shown light to the developing world, creating development frameworks and metrics that many countries, including Guyana, are adopting,” he added.
Ali also highlighted the developmental paradigms promoted by India under the leadership of PM Modi had worked in practice for the benefit of Guyana and other countries.
PM Modi is only the fourth foreign leader to be conferred with the highest national award of Guyana.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude and thanked the people for the honour. “This honour does not belong only to me but to the 1.4 billion people of India,” he said. Earlier, Modi was conferred the “Dominica Award of Honour” by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit.
The visit of PM Modi and the honour conferred on him indicate the growing Indian influence in the Caribbean region. Countries such as Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean have appreciated the fact that India is an emerging power in the global arena.
