Indian Americans moved by “emotional and inspirational” speech of PM Modi, proud of his world stature and accomplishments

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Indian Americans who gathered in the thousands at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY September 22, to listen to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reacted strongly to his visit and stature as a global leader of the biggest democracy.

They were thrilled to be described again as “Ambassadors” whose contributions to US-India relations were immense and growing. “I call you Ambassadors of our country. You have connected US with India and India with US. Your talent and commitment are unparalleled,” Modi said, calling their role “vital” in strengthening the bond. Modi met President Biden at his home in Delaware, and attributed his warmth and compassion towards India a result of the trust that the Indian community has cultivated in the United States.

Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a Padma Shri recipient and chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, told News India Times, “I received him backstage, being a part of the gold sponsor of the event, and we had a one-to-one greetings exchange. I feel very proud of him for being a great visionary leader. He made India very well known to the outside world.”

Dr. Parikh described Modi’s speech as “inspirational and emotional,” highlighting the development of India over the last 10 years. People applauded the Prime Minister’s initiatives  in different sectors like digital world, manufacturing, economy, and foreign relations, as he spoke in the massive to the 15,000-strong audience.

Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), who was at the event, told News India Times, “I think a strong US India relationship is important. PM Modi had a great chemistry with Joe Biden, and I believe he will also have a great chemistry with Kamala Harris when she becomes the President.”

Thanedar expressed that there is a continued need to take the US-India relationship “to a new level,” so that people of both countries can benefit.

“Especially in my hometown of Detroit, our auto business is impacted by China’s aggression and their unfair trade. I will look forward to a strong India-US relationship, and that will help Detroit workers,” he added.

In his speech, Modi announced plans to establish two new Indian consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, as well as a Thiruvalluvar Chair of Tamil studies at the University of Houston.

President of the US-India Security Council, Ramesh Kapur told News India Times, “I am from Boston, so what really stood up is when he announced that he’s going to open a Consulate in Boston. He stressed that the relationship of US and India is going to continue.”

Kapur said he feels PM Modi “is starting to move more towards the West — a little bit more, because it’s the only place where the future of India belongs. Both US and India are democracies,” adding, “In future, we will see the first Indian American President. That’s what we have really achieved in America.”

Founder of Indiaspora, MR Rangaswami said PM Modi’s speech summed up his 10-years journey with Indian Americans.

Rangaswami, who also met PM Modi backstage, recalled earlier such diaspora gatherings. “When PM Modi came to the Madison Square Garden, he was introducing himself to the diaspora. Then he continued that with the tech community in San Jose. After that he had the whole alliance with Trump when he was in Howdy Modi, and now back in New York with the community again.”

PM Modi “laid out beautifully” what has happened over the 10 years in terms of infrastructure, education, and trade, and in the best sense, “saluted the Indian diaspora. So, it shows his commitment to us,” Rangaswami said.

Meetu Ahlawat of the Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, who traveled from Virginia told News India Times “Prime Minister Modi delivered a powerful speech, and I was particularly inspired by his vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. One statement that stood out to me was when he said, “Apna dabav badhana nahin, apna prabhav badhana hai,” clarifying, “This idea of enhancing “prabhav” (influence) instead of “dabav” (pressure) reflects a call for positive global engagement and leadership.”

Shoba Viswanathan, Vice President of Development and Civic Engagement at Indiaspora, who attended a breakfast meeting with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, said the Foreign Minister emphasized with conviction that the Indo-US relationship would not have reached its current level without the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora. He also made it clear that his remarks were genuine and not aimed to please anyone in the crowd.

“Obviously, I think the reason he could say it with conviction is because the convergence is happening. But the diaspora’s strength here is definitely helping us contribute and bolster the natural direction of what the relationship is at this point,” Viswanathan said.

Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation, Suhag Shukla, who served as the Media Coordinator for the Modi&US event, told News India Times, “We had over 80 outlets who had registered. Overall, the journalists enjoyed it and had a chance to see how the community can come together with a volunteer effort to celebrate our culture and our heritage and the US-India friendship.”

Shukla shared that the organizers reached out to her four weeks ago to put together a program for the community members. Given her experience in educating the public about culture and heritage, she gladly accepted the role as a way to serve the community.

Uma Putane, who performed a South Indian Telangana-Andhra special folk dance, called Yellamma Devi before PM Modi spoke, told News India Times, “the dance is performed usually by villagers to fight evil and bring peace and prosperity to their village,” adding “And I’m so proud to be here, and thanks to the committee for giving us this opportunity to perform today. I am proud of India no matter where we go.”

Dr. Damodar Narella of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, AAPI, said he was happy to witness PM Modi’s speech in person. “I am glad to be here and support PM Modi. Because I really appreciate what he is doing for the country. He is doing the right thing, and people have to appreciate his efforts,” Dr. Narella said.

Miss India Worldwide 2024, Dhruvi Patel, told News India Times, “I never in my life would have ever thought that I would be in the same room as PM Modi. But I’m so honored and so grateful that I had the chance and have the possibility to even be here with him.”

A Pharmacist from New Jersey, Niki Patel, who participated in a performance during PM Modi’s 2014 Madison Square Garden address, said, “I am really excited to participate and volunteer for PM Modi’s event today at the Nassau Coliseum,” adding she supports the Prime Minister’s vision of uniting two cultures, America and India.

One of the volunteers who did not wish to use their name, told News India Times, the excitement among those who were coming in and lined up to attend, was palpable. People were taking selfies with Modi cutouts, sporting Modi T-shirts. “It was amazing to see the joy in their faces,” the attendee said. A prevailing view was that the perception of Indian Americans by mainstream America had changed over the last 10 years with Modi at the helm. “They used to see us as coming from a poor country. Not anymore,” the attendee said.