Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the 56th annual convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

Addressing the young minds, PM said the innovation, aspiration and application of technology by IITians will fuel India’s dream to become a 5 trillion dollar economy.

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“Today, India is aspiring to become a 5 trillion dollar economy. Your innovation, aspiration and application of technology will fuel this dream. It will become the bedrock of India’s big leap into the most competitive economy,” PM Modi said.

He added that he sees the foundations of the 21st century resting on three crucial pillars of innovation, teamwork and technology.

Lauding the students, the Prime Minister said he sees both a mini-India and the spirit of New India in them which has energy, vibrancy and positivity in its.

“I can see dreams of the future in your eyes. I can see the destiny of India in your eyes,” he said.

PM Modi said that IIT Madras is a prime example of how a decades-old institution can transform itself to meet the needs and aspirations of the 21st century.

“You are passing out of such a fantastic college at a time when the world is looking at India as a land of unique opportunities,” he told the graduating students.

The Prime Minister, earlier in his address, spotlighted that Tamil Nadu is home to one of the oldest languages in the world and added that it also home to one of the newest languages in India – the IIT Madras language.

He further urged the students to keep in mind the needs of ‘motherland’ India no matter where they work or live.

PM Modi, on his arrival at the Chennai International Airport, had said that “Tamil has become a talking point in the US” after his UN speech.

“During my USA trip when I said something in Tamil, when I told the world that Tamil is the world’s ancient language, the language became a talking point in America,” said Modi.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi had quoted Sangam-era Tamil philosopher Kaniyan Pungundranar to underline that a fragmented world is in nobody’s interest.

Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam were also present at the convocation.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the prize distribution ceremony of Singapore-India Hackathon 2019 and congratulated the winners.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai for the first time after retaining power in this year’s Lok Sabha polls.

“Always delighted to be back in Chennai. After 2019 elections, it is my first visit to the state. I am really thankful to all of you for such a warm welcome,” he said on his arrival.