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Currency Demonetisation: PM Modi Turns Emotional, Says Left Home And Family For Nation

"I was not born to sit on a chair of high office."

PANAJI -- Asserting that the nation has elected him to fight corruption and questioned if he should not do it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned emotional on Sunday and said that he left his home and family for the nation.

The PM, who was speaking for the first time on demonetisation after announcing the decision on 8 November, also used the occasion to hit back at those questioning his step to combat corruption and the menace of black money.

"I also want to talk about something else in Goa...on 8th November many people of India slept peacefully and a few are sleepless even now. We took a key step to help the honest citizens of India to defeat the menace of black money" he said.

"This is an important step towards eradicating corruption and black money but some people are lost in their own world. If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he added.

Silencing his critics, the Prime Minister said that his decision was not a display of arrogance but aimed at fulfilling the commitments made to the nation.

"I was not born for sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home...I left it for the nation," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand the problems of the people," he added.

Training his guns on the opposition, Prime Minister Modi said he was aware of the fact that they may ruin him because their "loot of 70 years" is in trouble.

"I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble but am prepared," he said.

"Why do we have to put the future of our youth at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so," Prime Minister Modi added, after laying the foundation for two major projects in Goa.

Earlier on 8 November, Prime Minister Modi announced demonetisation of ₹500 and 1,000 currency notes with effect from midnight, making these notes invalid in a major assault on black money, fake currency and corruption.

In his televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister said people holding notes of ₹500 and ₹1,000 can deposit the same in their bank and post office accounts from 10 November till 30 December.

With the people facing trouble after the Centre's move, the government later decided to extend the existing exemptions on paying public utility bills till 14 November.

In a press release, the government reassured there is enough cash with the RBI and supply of cash to bank branches and ATMs are being stepped up gradually.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.