Monday, 23 September 2024
Monday, 23 September 2024
Day Two of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s United States visit was just as jam-packed as his first day – from the mega ‘Modi & US’ Indian community event held at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, New York to his roundtable with top American CEOs in the tech sector.
The community event, which also featured Kerala-born rapper HanuMankind and composer Devi Sri Prasad of Pushpa fame, showed that the American desi loves Modi just as much as before, if not more.
Tens of thousands of Indian Americans attended the 'Modi & US' event, where Prime Minister Modi spoke on a range of subjects and gave an update on how India is progressing at a rapid pace.
He praised Indians settled in the US, calling them "brand ambassadors" of India, and said that it is because of them that the India-US partnership is flourishing. He went on to say that they are the bridge that brings the two great democracies together.
From children to adults, many members of the Indian diaspora expressed their excitement for the PM's visit and praised his leadership for the work in India.
A visibly emotional Boston resident woman told ANI: "I have only one dream. I just want to see and touch Modi ji, that is all I wanted. I consider Modi ji as my god."
Madhav Sumani, another attendee at the Nassau Coliseum, was quoted as saying by ANI: “I have been super excited to see PM Modi, to be honest. He has done amazing work in India, the bullet train initiative, electrification of the railway network, and pucca houses. I live in Nagpur, so metro network there. It has been amazing to see this man make India great again. I really love his aura and energy when he comes.”
A young child, Arav Verma, told ANI: "I am very excited to see PM Modi and I cannot wait to meet him. He did a lot of good stuffs for the country. He is one of my favourite leaders of all time."
Similarly, Soni Chowdhary, another attendee, said: "I am very excited that PM Modi is coming. He is one of the fearless and great leaders I have ever seen in my life. He is such a good orator that he captures the attention of everyone, especially the way he speaks, it motivates the youth, which was lacking in the former PMs, as the old generation was more attached to them. But now, even youths are also attached with PM Modi, so we are excited."
At the community event, PM Modi said that the Indian namaste had become multinational.
"Our Namaste has become multinational, has gone from local to global, only because of you,” he told the crowd that cheered his speech with gusto. “The warmth and energy of the Indian diaspora in New York is unparalleled."
In his speech, Modi emphasised the significant contributions of the Indian community around the world. “Many languages, but one common feeling—that feeling is for Bharat Mata and Bharatiyata. This is India’s biggest strength,” he said.
“We look to do good; we contribute the most no matter where we are,” he added, reinforcing the idea of global citizenship among Indians.
The prime minister spoke about his pet project of Make in India, saying it would not be long before the US would have India-made semiconductors.
“India is a launching pad for all sorts of technologies. We are not going to stop or slow down. Our goal is to have more devices worldwide running on Made in India chips,” Modi declared.
He also touched upon India’s digital push, stating that the nation had surpassed America’s 5G network in just two years. India, he said, was already working on rolling out a new 6G network.
There was also the wordplay Modi is famous for.
“For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit,” he said to applause.
India was undertaking every effort to ensure that it hosts the 2036 Olympics. “Very soon, you will witness the Olympics in India too,” he said amid cheers and chants of “Modi, Modi”.
PM Modi in his speech also laid down the ‘PUSHP’ blueprint for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India). He said that the acronym stands for progressive, unstoppable, skilled and spiritual, humanity first, and prosperous.
The PM said that India was progressing fast in all sectors and that he had a three-fold sense of responsibility in the third term.
He said that today’s youth dreamed big and aspired to achieve their goals, which helped in the nation’s development. “We were the tenth largest economy, now we are the fifth largest. Every Indian wants the country to be the third largest as soon as possible,” said the prime minister.
Videos of Kerala-born rapper Sooraj Cherukat, who goes by the stage name HanuMankind, performing at the 'Modi and US' event were shared widely on the internet. In the videos, the audience is seen enjoying his performance and grooving in their seats. After his performance, the rapper met PM Modi, who shook hands and hugged him.
Before hugging him, PM Modi said: "Jai Hanuman".
The rapper performed his hit, Big Dawgs, before PM Modi as the audience cheered.
Composer Devi Sri Prasad, popular for his music in films like Pushpa: The Rise and Waltair Veerayya, was also present at the event and met PM Modi.
Singer Aditya Gadhvi, best known for his song Khalasi, also performed.
After his big diaspora event, PM Modi held bilaterals with different world leaders who have converged in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Modi met with Nepal’s K.P. Sharma Oli and expressed his intention to visit the Himalayan nation soon. Oli described the talks as positive.
PM Modi also met with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Al-Sabah of Kuwait.
Another notable bilateral that PM Modi held on Day 2 of his US visit was that with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In this meeting, Modi expressed his deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza owing to the war, which began almost a year ago. He also affirmed New Delhi’s support to the region.
“Met President Mahmoud Abbas in New York. Reiterated India’s support for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Exchanged views of further strengthening long-standing friendship with the people of Palestine,” Modi said in a post on X.
