Muscat (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India of the 21st century takes big and swift decisions, moves ahead by setting big goals and delivers results in a time-bound manner.

Modi was speaking at a gathering of the Indian community in Oman's capital Muscat. The prime minister is here on a two-day visit.

"Twenty-first century India takes bold decisions and swift decisions, moves ahead with big goals, delivers results within a defined timeline," he said.

Modi hailed the recent decision of UNESCO to inscribe the 'Deepavali' festival on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"Our 'diya' will now illuminate not just our homes, but entire world," he said.

It is a matter of pride for all Indians, and this "global recognition for Diwali is a recognition of that light of ours which spreads the message of hope, amity and humanity," he said.

Addressing the gathering of Indian students and the community at the 'Maitiri Parv' event, Modi said that India and Oman are tied not just by geography, but also by generations.

"Our diversity is a strong foundation of our culture. Every tradition comes with a new thinking...We Indians, wherever we go, we respect diversity," he said.

Underscoring that the Indian diaspora has become a living example of coexistence and cooperation, he said, "You are the biggest custodian of these centuries-old ties."

In his message to the youth, Modi said, "Dream big, learn deeply, innovate boldly.”

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Ramanagara (Karnataka) (PTI): Three men have been arrested for allegedly gangraping a 19-year-old college student and blackmailing her using a video of the assault, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred in October at the house of one of the accused in Magadi taluk of Bengaluru South district, they added.

Of the three accused, two are college students, while the third is an electrician by profession, police said.

According to police, the woman came into contact with the prime accused, also a college student, around six to seven months ago.

He befriended her, gained her confidence, and later entered into a relationship with her after promising marriage.

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On the pretext of the relationship, he allegedly established a physical relationship with her and secretly recorded the act on his mobile phone without her knowledge.

He later showed the video to his friends, who are co-accused in the case, a senior police officer said.

In October, the prime accused allegedly threatened and blackmailed the woman using the video clip of their intimate moments and forced her to comply with his demands.

He then allegedly sexually assaulted her along with the other two accused. The assault was also recorded, police said.

The video was later circulated on WhatsApp by one of the accused, they added.

Unable to bear the harassment, the victim informed her parents and approached the police.

Based on her complaint, a case was registered on December 17 at the Magadi police station under Sections 64 (rape), 70 (gangrape) and 71 (punishment for repeat offenders) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police said.

Bengaluru South District Superintendent of Police Srinivas Gowda said all three accused were arrested.

"Two of them are students, and one is employed. All three were known to the victim and had been acquainted with her for more than a couple of months," he said.