New York [US], September 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (local time) highlighted the unbreakable bond between India and its people, no matter where they are in the world and the key role the Indian diaspora plays in the relationship between India and the US.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, Long Island at Modi&US Event, he said, “You have connected India with America and America with India. Your skill, talent, and commitment are unmatched. Despite being overseas, no ocean can separate you from India.”
PM Modi said that he has always understood the potential and capabilities of the Indian diaspora, and for him, they have been strong brand ambassadors of India and he calls them “Rahstradoot”.
“Now Apna Namaste has also become multinational. It has gone from local to global and you have done all this. Every Indian who keeps India in his heart has done this,” PM Modi added.
He also praised the Indian community for keeping up the tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that means “the world is one family.”
“While being PM, I have received immense love and affection from you. Wherever we go, we treat everyone as family and mingle with them. Understanding diversity, living it, implementing it in our lives… it is in our values. Someone speaks Tamil… someone Telugu, someone Malayalam, someone Kannada… someone Punjabi, someone Marathi, someone Gujarati… There are many languages, but the feeling is one… and that feeling is – Indianness,” said PM Modi.
Praising the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister recounted his old days and how interested he was to connect with them.
“Your love is my great fortune. I remember those days when I was not even the PM, not even the CM and not even a leader. At that time I used to come here as a curiosity. Even before I was not holding any post, I had visited about 29 states of America. After that, when I became CM, the process of connecting with you through technology continued,” said PM Modi.
Speaking on the diversity of India, PM Modi said, “We are residents of a country where there are hundreds of languages and dialects, all the religions and sects of the world. Still, we are moving ahead united and noble. This is our biggest strength to connect with the world. These values naturally bind us to the world.”
PM Modi also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to United States President Joe Biden for his warm hospitality during a visit to his home in Delaware, stating that it “touched my heart.”
“I salute you all, the Indian diaspora. Wherever I go in the world, I hear praise for the Indian community from every leader. Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware, and his warmth and hospitality touched my heart. This honour belongs to 1.4 billion Indians, it’s your honour, your achievement, and the honour of the millions of Indians living here. I express my gratitude to President Biden and to all of you,” said PM Modi.
Further, PM Modi also spoke on India’s general elections held earlier this year and stated that “the recent elections in India were the largest in human history.”
“This 2024 is crucial for the entire world. On one hand, there is conflict and tension among some countries. In some countries, however, there is a celebration of democracy. India and America are together in this celebration of democracy. In America, elections will be held, and in India, elections have concluded. These elections in India were the biggest election in human history so far! In India, people twice the population of America cast their vote,” said PM Modi.
The diaspora crowd gave a standing ovation to PM Modi, as he entered the event venue, and took the stage. Talented artists from the Indian community took the stage, setting the perfect tone for PM Modi‘s imminent address to the Indian diaspora in the US.
PM Modi‘s address at the “Modi and US” programme is a historic event that unfolded at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, as 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora gathered from 42 different states to welcome the Prime Minister.
Artists from different groups had been preparing since days to showcase traditional music for the big show once the PM’s arrival.
“An amazing spectacle at the Nassau Coliseum! PM@narendramodi addressed the Indian community in US. PM received a warm and magnificent welcome by the Indian diaspora in the US. PM highlighted India’s resolve to become VIKSIT BHARAT, a developed country by 2047, and the invaluable role the Indian diaspora plays in cementing our bilateral ties with the US,” posted Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.
PM Modi will chair key bilateral meetings in New York and attend a CEO Roundtable in addition later today. He will also address the Summit of the Future on September 23. (ANI)
“Full of energy and vibrant”: Diaspora members term PM Modi’s New York community event successful
New York [US], September 23 (ANI): The much-anticipated community event in New York, which saw participation of thousands of Indian Americans, concluded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address where he touched upon various facets of India-US relations, people to people ties, and India’s growing stature and economic growth.
In his initial remarks, lauding the contributions of the Indian community overseas, PM Modi said that Indians contribute to do the most no matter where they are.
In his over one-hour long speech, he also apprised the gathering how India has become a key player in mobile manufacturing — from being an importer to an exporter, digital public infrastructure adoption. He added that the day is not far when Made in India chips will he available in America.
Nirav Patel, representing Asian American Store Owners Association, who participated in the community event, talking to ANI, said that the Prime Minister has presented today’s India.
“The Prime Minister has presented India today to the United States that how India is growing and how the Indian community is growing in America and what is the contribution of Indian Americans in USA. We are almost about 7-8 per cent of the GDP growth in America and also the way India has shown growth without damaging the atmosphere and the climate. India is creating hardly 4 per cent of the carbon emission than what other the other developed countries are generating,” Patel told ANI.
Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora, who had the chance to meet the Prime Minister said, it was heartening to hear the Indian leader.
“I had the chance to meet with Prime Minister Modi briefly before the event and had the chance to present to him what work Indiaspora has done in conjunction with Boston Consulting Group on the impact of the Indian diaspora on the US-India relationship and on US society. And it was heartening to hear him say he’s been doing this for a while for many years now. Saluting the Indian diaspora, really acknowledging their contributions in the US India space across a variety of different realms and that was really remarkable and heartening to hear…, ” said Joshipura.
Ashok Madhav, another member of the Indian diaspora, told ANI, that he thinks India is in good hands and India will continue to grow.
“Right now, it is the 5th largest and it will become the third largest in the next five years and the Indian diaspora in the USA is playing its role…, ” said Ashok Madhav.
Another diaspora member talking to ANI appreciated the Prime Minister’s speech.
“He spoke about 6G. He spoke about drones but something that is really appealing is we are focusing a lot on sustainability. We are focusing on inclusive growth and the PM covered everything. He spoke about rural development, about the participation of women and men in the development…,” the diaspora member said.
Priya, a member of the Indian diaspora, said the event venue was full of energy and vibrant.
“The arena was full of energy, so much vibrancy. We all know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is such a good speaker. I mean, he really energized the whole thing. And speaking about how important and vital role India is playing in Global South, which is very important, and also the energy and the synergy of the US-India relationship was very much at the forefront through his speech, where he energized everybody…,” Priya told ANI.
Chandram Mukhim representing DICCI (Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, USA) told ANI, that it was a great event for the community, for the country and for the Indian diaspora. “It’s a successful event and from the prospect of diversity and inclusivity, it just opened up space for the community and for the people.”
Sudhir M. Parikh, Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold said, “I’m one of the organisers, one of the gold sponsors of this event and this event was done very nicely…People enjoyed the Prime Minister’s speech. I’m sure everyone agrees that the Prime Minister is a great orator. He puts our development story very clearly and very convincingly and we really enjoyed it…”
Later on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi will interact with the CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology, among others.
On Day 1, Saturday, Prime Minister Modi took part in the fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, which is being hosted by US President Joe Biden. The forum has emerged as a key group of the like-minded countries to work for peace, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
On Monday, Prime Minister Modi will address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The theme of the Summit is ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’. (ANI)
