Global Citizen India | The times they are a changing: PM Modi quotes Dylan to drive home demonetization

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today quoted lines from Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan's iconic "The times they are a-changin'", a song which had apparently become an anthem of change, to make a veiled reference to the political situation in the country in the backdrop of the demonetisation move as he addressed the Global Citizen Festival here. "Back in 2014, I had enjoyed attending the Global Citizen Festival in the beautiful Central Park of New York. However, this time, my schedule did not permit me to come in person," Modi said in a video address to thousands of people who had gathered for the event in suburban Bandra Kurla complex.
"I have had my own set of idols. But you will be perhaps more familiar with Bob Dylan, Norah Jones, Chris Martin and A R Rehman," Modi said.

"So to quote from one of Dylan's transformative anthems which holds as much meaning today as it did when it was first sung in the 1960. "Come mothers and fathers, throughout the land, and don't criticise, what you can't understand. Your sons and your daughters, are beyond your command. Your old road is rapidly agin'. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand, for the times they are a-changin'" Modi said, quoting Dylan's famous lines from the song released in 1964. "Elders must learn from these words of wisdom," he said.
"We better get out of the way as indeed the times they are a changing," added the Prime Minister. 

"Artistes have often inspired generations. My dear young friends, I'm convinced we can and we will build a Swachh Bharat free of all forms of filth within one generation," he said. "You bring an energy and idealism that is unparallelled," he said, adding, "you can be the change you want". At the outset, Modi said, "I know that I stand between you and Coldplay and so will make this brief."  
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was  present at the festival, said, "Young India is eager to hear the Prime Minister."

The Global Citizen Festival India was held at MMRDA Grounds in BKC here and thousands of fans from across the country thronged the event.
The festival featured performances by international as well as Indian celebrities. Apart from Coldplay, Jay-Z, Demi Lovato and The Vamps, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, A R Rahman, Ranveer Singh and Katrina Kaif were among the performers.
Global Citizen Festival is focused on creating an impact in areas of education, equality, and clean water and sanitation. The festival, launched in 2012, partners with the Global Poverty Project, a movement aiming to end extreme poverty by 2030.

He added: “Doston, garibi kisi bhi samaj ke liye bahut bada abhishapp hai, kuposhan ho, bhrastachar ho, iska sabse jyada asar gareeb logon par hi padta hai. isliey, ye sarkar garibon ka kaam do saal se kar rahi hai. swachchat do saal se chal raha hai. log apney aas pass. karodon mein sauchalaya ka nirman ho raha hai. Swachchat abhiyaan to jan jan ke josh ne jan andolan mein badal diya hai. desh ko raah dikhayi hai. agar koi bada gandgi. kaale dhan se bhari tizoryon ki safai ho, sab kuch jor-shor se chal raha hai." 

Ending the speech, he quoted 2016 Nobel Prize winner and counterculture icon Bob Dylan to explain change. . Borrowing a stanza from his seminal classic, The Times are A Changin’ he said: “Come mothers and fathers. Throughout the land and don't criticise. What you can't understand, your sons and your daughters are beyond your command. Your old road is rapidly ageing. Please get out of the new one. If you can't lend your hand. For the times, they are a-changin'.”

The Global Citizen Festival 2016 kicks off with a bang

The Global Citizen Festival 2016 India officially begun with performances by megastar Amitabh Bachchan, American pop star Demi Lovato, Arijit Singh, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar. Actress Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor announced the opening of the festival. Arijit took to the stage and set the mood right as he crooned the "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" title track and then went on to sing his other popular tracks.

Sonakshi entertained the audience with her rendition of "Har Kissi Ko Nahi Milta". Music-composer trio Shankar -Ehsaan-Loy enthralled everyone with their hit songs like "Kal Ho Na Ho", "Breathless" among others.

Lovato took the stage, wearing a metallic gold number teamed with thigh high boots, to give fans the time of their life. Her act was followed by Bachchan's performance with the Shillong Choir. Farhan took the stage by storm with his performance on "Rock On" title track and "Maston Ka Jhund".

Shraddha, who joined Farhan for the act, also crooned songs from her blockbuster movie "Aashiqui 2".

The Global Citizen Festival, a charitable event is being held at the MMRDA grounds in BKC where over 80,000 people are expected to attend.