Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 9 July highlighted the rising 'Bhajan Clubbing' trend among India's Gen Z while addressing thousands of members of the Indian diaspora at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, during the community event titled 'Melbourne Meets Modi.' Modi noted that the same spirit of cultural rootedness he sees in India is mirrored among Indians living in Australia.

What Modi Said on Bhajan Clubbing

Addressing the packed stadium alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Modi said: 'You must have heard about the new trend of Bhajan Clubbing in India; it is being driven by our Gen Z. Here in Australia, too, I hear that your weekends are filled with faith and spirituality. Whether it is the Lord Satyanarayan Katha at someone's home, Ardas at the Gurudwara, children performing Bhangra or Bharatanatyam, or a cricket tournament in progress — there is always something happening.'

The remark drew a strong response from the crowd, which had gathered in large numbers at Marvel Stadium — a venue that has hosted numerous landmark events — chanting 'Modi, Modi' as the Prime Minister walked in.

India Film Festival and Cultural Ties

Modi also extended his best wishes for the upcoming Indian Film Festival, which is set to begin in Melbourne in the coming days. He described the festival as another marker of the Indian diaspora's enduring connection to its cultural heritage, alongside religious gatherings, classical dance, and sport.

Notably, the event underscored the depth of people-to-people ties between India and Australia at a moment when both governments have been strengthening bilateral relations across trade, education, and defence.

Modi's Vision: 'Grow More, Achieve More'

Turning to India's developmental trajectory, Modi spoke of a nation of 1.4 billion people driven by compounding ambition. 'When one dream is realised, a new one is born. It used to be said that one lamp lights a thousand others; today, I say that one dream gives birth to another — thousands of dreams emerge. When one goal is achieved, an even greater resolve takes its place,' he said.

He framed 21st-century India as a nation working purposefully toward the goal of becoming a developed nation, anchored in the 'Grow More, Achieve More' vision — a phrase that encapsulates the government's aspiration to sustain momentum across economic and social milestones.

The Atmosphere at Marvel Stadium

Thousands of members of the Indian-Australian community filled Marvel Stadium on Thursday evening local time, creating what witnesses described as an electric atmosphere. The arrival of Modi alongside Prime Minister Albanese was met with a loud roar from the crowd, which was predominantly composed of Indian diaspora members. The gathering reflected the scale and enthusiasm of the Indian community in Australia, one of the fastest-growing diaspora groups in the country.