Tanzanian video blogger and content creator Kili Paul, whose song and dance videos lip-syncing Indian hits with his sister Neema are a huge hit with Indian audiences, and have been praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has said he was thrilled to bits by the Prime Minister's compliment and it has "inspired me a million times".

The artist posted the screenshots of the tweets posted on the Twitter handle of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). "I'm so happy for this and thank u Sir @narendramodi. I'm so mind blown to wake up to such beautiful news. This inspired me a million times," he said in an Instagram post.

Talking about the popular videos of Kili Paul and his sister Neema, Modi called upon Indian youth to make videos of famous Indian songs in different languages. He said this will not only make them popular but also showcase the country's diversity to the new generation.

"As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Indian Independence), youth can make videos of popular songs of Indian languages in their own way," the Prime Minister said in his monthly radio address, adding that people of one state making videos with songs of another state will make them experience "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" (One India, Great India).

Modi mentioned that the Kili Paul was recently honoured by the Indian Embassy in Tanzania.

"They have a passion, a craze for Indian music and for this reason they are also very popular. Their technique of Lip Sync shows how hard they work at it. Recently, a video of him singing our National Anthem Jana Gana Mana on the occasion of Republic Day went viral. A few days ago, he also paid a soulful tribute to Lata didi (Mangeshkar) by presenting her song. I really appreciate these two siblings Kili and Nima very much for their wonderful creativity. A few days ago, he has also been honoured at the Indian Embassy in Tanzania," he said.

Kili Paul was congratulated by his followers after PM Modi's praise, NDTV said. 

"Well deserved man," said one Instagram user. "Love from India buddy, Love your culture & your country," another one said in reply to the internet star's post.

Kili Paul has over 2.5 million subscribers on Instagram. Along with lip-syncing to popular Hindi film songs, he also presents his dancing skills in his videos dressed always in his colourful native tribal costumes. 

(SAM)