'Sun Rahe Ho Na, Vinod': PM Modi's Panchayat Reference Steals The Show At Gujarat Semiconductor Event
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the audience in splits on Saturday after using the popular "Sun rahe ho na, Vinod" dialogue from the hit web series Panchayat during his address at the inauguration of the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
The light-hearted reference came while Modi was highlighting India's growing semiconductor ecosystem and responding to remarks made by CG Power and Industrial Solutions Chairman Vellayan Subbaiah. The unexpected pop-culture moment drew loud applause and laughter from those present on the stage and in the audience.
Subbaiah quotes Gujarati proverbs
Earlier in his speech, Vellayan Subbaiah praised the Centre's vision for industrial development and used two Gujarati proverbs to underscore India's semiconductor journey.
"The government's vision for development is very clear. Now it is the responsibility of the industry to move forward in that direction. 'Nishan chook maaf, pan nahi maaf neechu nishan' (Missing a high target can be forgiven, but setting a low target cannot)," he said, adding that the company had no intention of aiming low.
Subbaiah also announced that the company's first shipment of semiconductor chips had been dispatched to partners in Japan, marking India's entry into the global semiconductor supply chain.
Referring to another Gujarati saying, he remarked, "Kaam bole chhe (Work speaks for itself). Today, our first shipment speaks louder than words."
Modi recalls the proverbs, adds a viral twist
Picking up on Subbaiah's remarks, Modi reiterated the first proverb and said he has never believed in setting small goals.
"Subbaiah ji quoted a Gujarati proverb that says missing the mark is forgiven, but aiming low is not. I never think small or set small goals. If I build a statue, it will be the tallest statue in the world," the Prime Minister said, in an apparent reference to the Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
He then turned to the second proverb before surprising the audience with a popular internet meme.
"And Subbaiah ji also said, 'Kaam bole chhe'... 'Sun rahe ho na, Vinod?'... Kaam bole hai."
The remark immediately triggered laughter and applause across the venue, with several dignitaries on the stage also seen smiling at the reference.
A dialogue that became an internet favourite
The phrase "Dekh rahe ho na, Vinod" or "Sun rahe ho na, Vinod" gained widespread popularity through the acclaimed web series Panchayat and has since become one of India's most-used internet memes. The dialogue is frequently used by social media users and content creators to humourously emphasise a point.
India's semiconductor push
The Prime Minister used the occasion to reiterate his government's focus on building a robust indigenous semiconductor industry. The inauguration of the CG Semi OSAT facility forms part of India's broader efforts to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and position the country as a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain.
In a powerful symbol of India's rising technological prowess, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the CG Semi OSAT facility, declaring that Gujarat's Sanand is fast emerging as India's answer to Silicon Valley.
Just two years after the foundation stone was laid in 2024, the plant has moved with remarkable speed, commencing chip testing in August 2025 and now beginning full commercial production.
"This is what happens when India resolves to do something," PM Modi said, crediting the "Design in India, Make in India" vision for driving this rapid transformation.
The Prime Minister lauded the unique Indo-Japanese-Thai partnership behind the project, calling it more than a business venture — a powerful model of international technological trust that will accelerate India's semiconductor journey.
Walking through the facility, PM Modi interacted with enthusiastic young workers and said he was deeply moved by their confidence.
He spotlighted the extraordinary journey of young tribal women from ordinary families. Many, who had never stepped out of their districts, received advanced training in Malaysia and are now proudly manufacturing world-class semiconductor chips in Gujarat.
PM Modi emphasised that true industrial power lies in building complete ecosystems.
Drawing parallels with legendary global hubs such as Silicon Valley, Taiwan's Hsinchu Science Park, and Japan's Tsukuba Science City, he envisioned Sanand evolving into a thriving semiconductor cluster.
Chemical plants, testing laboratories, design centres and startups will soon follow, creating a multiplier effect where "one industry gives birth to ten more," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed the larger goal of self-reliance in high-tech materials and critical minerals to secure the entire semiconductor value chain.
He expressed confidence that India's youth will use "Made in India" chips to power the coming AI and robotics revolution.
Addressing global investors, PM Modi reassured them of policy stability and fast-track execution.
"We are fully committed to ease of doing business," he said, reaffirming the national mission to build a developed India by 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the audience in splits on Saturday after using the popular "Sun rahe ho na, Vinod" dialogue from the hit web series Panchayat during his address at the inauguration of the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
The light-hearted reference came while Modi was highlighting India's growing semiconductor ecosystem and responding to remarks made by CG Power and Industrial Solutions Chairman Vellayan Subbaiah. The unexpected pop-culture moment drew loud applause and laughter from those present on the stage and in the audience.
Subbaiah quotes Gujarati proverbs
Earlier in his speech, Vellayan Subbaiah praised the Centre's vision for industrial development and used two Gujarati proverbs to underscore India's semiconductor journey.
"The government's vision for development is very clear. Now it is the responsibility of the industry to move forward in that direction. 'Nishan chook maaf, pan nahi maaf neechu nishan' (Missing a high target can be forgiven, but setting a low target cannot)," he said, adding that the company had no intention of aiming low.
Subbaiah also announced that the company's first shipment of semiconductor chips had been dispatched to partners in Japan, marking India's entry into the global semiconductor supply chain.
Referring to another Gujarati saying, he remarked, "Kaam bole chhe (Work speaks for itself). Today, our first shipment speaks louder than words."
Modi recalls the proverbs, adds a viral twist