By Krishiv Shah
Uniondale, New York - On Sunday, September 22, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Long Island, New York to a warm reception from the Indian diaspora. The Modi@US event, part of Modi's three-day visit to the United States, brought together over 13,000 attendees. Chants of “Modi! Modi!” echoed through the air as the audience gathered to celebrate not only the arrival of their prime minister but also the rich cultural heritage of India.
Prior to PM Modi’s arrival, there was a cultural exposition titled “Echoes of India: A Journey Through Art and Tradition”, which showcased India's diverse artistic traditions. Grammy-nominated artist Chandrika Tandon, known for her contributions to music and business, delivered a powerful rendition of “Vande Mataram”, leaving the audience in awe. Alongside her, STAR Voice of India winner Aishwarya Majmudar mesmerized the crowd with her soulful voice, while social media sensation Ricky Pond, known as the “Dancing Dad,” and singing star Rex Dsouza brought an electrifying energy to the stage.
A staggering 382 artists, both nationally and internationally acclaimed, graced the main stage, blending classical, folk, and modern styles into a seamless experience. Whether it was the rhythmic beats of Garba or the graceful movements of Kashmiri folk dance, the performances paid homage to India’s vast cultural diversity, celebrating its unity in multiplicity. In total, more than 500 performers, 350 volunteers, and over 150 media professionals were involved in making the event a success.
As a young Indian American, witnessing the unity between India and the U.S. felt nothing short of magical. Modi emphasized the power and strength of the Indian country, explaining how India is the world’s 3rd largest economy and is a country full of dreams and aspirations. He explained how 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty since 2014 and 40 million families were given housing. He emphasized welfare for women as well, showcasing the statistics of women becoming micro entrepreneurs to provide for themselves and their families. He also highlighted the Green Energy program of India, showing how India contributes close to 17% of the world’s population but the global carbon emissions are only close to 4%. Modi addressed the crowd as “saathiyon,” meaning “friends” in Hindi. This created a unity amongst all those in the crowd, a unified symbol of strength of the Indian diaspora of New York and the United States of America.
The sight of so many fellow Indian Americans celebrating our cultural identity while forging deeper connections with our American home was profoundly moving. It was more than a political rally; it was a moment of pride, cultural appreciation, and shared joy. The experience of hearing the famous Bollywood song “Chak De India” play against the backdrop of such cultural richness is something I will never forget. This event reinforced the powerful bond between the two great democracies—India and the United States—and left me feeling more connected to both.
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(Krishiv Shah, the founder and submission coordinator of Kaleidoscope, is an Indian-American senior at Syosset High School with aspirations to pursue a degree in South Asian Studies and Business)