September 25, 2016: The Kerala diaspora refers to the people of Kerala living in the Middle Eastern Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Nearly 80 percent of Indians living in Kuwait are from Kerala.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to the Kerala diaspora has said, he feels a sense of pride when he hears praise for the Kerala diaspora during his visits to Gulf nations.

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Addressing a rally here to coincide with the BJP national council meeting here, Modi said: "Whenever I got an opportunity to visit Gulf countries, apart from my official talks with their leaders, I asked them to arrange a meeting with the people of India residing there, and especially the people of Kerala."

"I felt a sense of pride when I heard the praise of people of Kerala for their hard work and dedication," the Prime Minister added.

Modi also said that Kerala is God's Own Country, and is the "land of great saints". The place has an impression of purity and holiness.

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"The devotion, spirituality is not because of the land but because of people, saints, and culture here," Modi said, adding, "The people of Kerala are seen with respect in the country and the world." (IANS)