Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. The attendees, hailing from 42 states across the United States, gathered to welcome PM Modi as part of the “Modi and US” programme. The Prime Minister, in his address, acknowledged the love and support shown by the diaspora and shared anecdotes from his past visits to the country.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “You all have come here from faraway places; some of you are old faces, while some are new ones, and I am thankful for the love I am receiving here. This reminds me of those days when I was not even a politician and I came here to visit this place. Your love is my good fortune.”
Highlighting the Indian diaspora’s contribution, he added, “For me, you all have been strong brand ambassadors of India. This is why I call you ‘Rashtradoot’ [ambassadors of the nation]. You have connected India with America and America with India. Your skill, talent, and commitment are unmatched.”
The warmth and energy of the Indian diaspora in New York is unparalleled. Addressing a community programme. Do watch! https://t.co/ttabGnATaD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024
PM Modi emphasised the unique connection between India and the diaspora, stating, “No sea has that much depth that it can distance you from India. What Ma Bharati has taught us, we can never forget. Wherever we go, we accept all as family. To understand diversity, to live diversity, is in our veins.”
Speaking about India’s unity in diversity, the Prime Minister said, “We belong to a country where there are dozens of languages and dialects, all faiths and religions of the world, and yet we are moving forward united.”
Reflecting on his recent meeting with US President Joe Biden, PM Modi remarked, “Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware. His affection was a heart-touching moment for me. That honour is of 140 crore Indians, this honour is yours, and of lakhs of Indians living here. I am grateful to President Biden and you all.”
India And America Are Together In Festival Of Democracy: PM Modi
He also addressed the upcoming elections in both India and the US, noting, “This year of 2024 is important for the entire world. On one side there is conflict and struggle between some countries, on the other side, democracy is being celebrated in many countries. India and America are together in this festival of democracy.”
PM Modi reflected on the scale of Indian democracy, stating, “The elections that were just held in India were the biggest elections in human history. We had almost double the number of voters than the total population of America.”
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PM Modi Coins ‘Pushp’ Acronym For ‘Viksit Bharat’
During his speech, the Prime Minister introduced the concept of ‘Pushp’, explaining it as “P for progressive Bharat, U for unstoppable Bharat, S for spiritual Bharat, H for humanity first, and P for prosperous India. All five petals of ‘Pushp’ will make Viksit Bharat [developed India].”
The “Modi and US” program, billed as a historic event, features cultural performances, including traditional music and dance, showcasing India’s rich heritage. Artists from various groups have been preparing for days to perform ‘Yakshagana’, a traditional folk dance from Karnataka and Kerala, and ‘Parai’, a traditional musical instrument from Tamil Nadu.
VIDEO | PM Modi (@narendramodi) attends Community Event at Nassau Coliseum in New York. #PMModiUSVisit
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/ewSUIT19qz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 22, 2024
Jagdish Sewhani, a member of the event organizing committee, described the atmosphere as “Diwali-like” and expressed excitement about the Prime Minister’s address. “This is a historic event, with 15,000 Indian diaspora members attending from 42 states. The mayor of Nassau County is thrilled to welcome the most popular leader in India and the world,” Sewhani told ANI.
