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North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

16 JUNE 23, 2023

Indian-American community prepares

grand welcome for Narendra Modi in US

In the US, the Indian Prime Minister will also address the chairman and CEOs of top US companies at John F Kennedy Centre
in Washington. Followed by an address to the Indian diaspora at Ronald Reagan Center in DC in the evening

OUR BUREAU
Washington, DC/New York
or Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first
state visit to the United States from June
F21 to June 24, Indian Americans are eagerly
preparing to extend a warm welcome to him.
Thousands of expatriate Indians will gath-
er in Washington during the visit of PM Modi,
who will arrive in the US at the invitation of at
the invitation of President Joe Biden and first
Lady Jill Biden. While a group of Indian Amer-
icans are planning to go to Andrews Air Force
Base when the Prime Minister’s Air India One
lands on June 21 afternoon from New York and
over 600 community members are planning to
gather at Freedom Plaza in front of the Willard
Intercontinental in Washington located near
the White House where the PM will be staying
during his visit.
At the Freedom Plaza, the community has
planned to showcase the cultural fabric of India
through cultural events representing India span-
ning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from On June 22, more than 7,000 Indian Americans are planning to be on the South Lawns of the White House when President Biden
West to East, according to Adapa Prasad, Presi-
dent of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA. and the First Lady would welcome the Prime Minister amidst a 21-gun salute
“It is India’s diverse cultural show and growth
story. We have roughly 25 programs representing cial independence given to all the markets,” said of Virginia told ANI.
Kashmir to Kerala and Maharashtra to the north- Premkumar Swaminathan who hails from Tamil It’s not just Modi’s rockstar-like appeal among
east with 160 artists participating,” Prasad said. Nadu in India. the Indian diaspora that is “unique” that connects
“The Indian American community feels that PM Narendra Modi during his visit will also with the diaspora, some are excited to express
they are part of this historic story. They’re proud become the first Indian PM to address the Joint gratitude for the recent developments in India.
that this momentous occasion is happening. That Meeting of the US Congress for the second Mohan Sapru, a member of the Kashmiri
too when India became the fifth largest economy time. Indian Americans said the invitation sent Hindu diaspora in Washington, said, “I just want
and the third largest, so the community itself is to Prime Minister to address the US Congress to express our gratitude to the Prime Minister for
very proud about their country of origin,” Prasad serves as a reminder of the historic significance the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Kashmir.
further noted. of the relationship between the US and India, And I’m sure together we will be working together
On June 22, more than 7000 Indian Ameri- reflecting the shared dream and commitment to with Modiji for resolving all the issues with regard
cans are planning to be on the South Lawns of the global peace and prosperity, especially in the In- to Kashmiri Hindus’ resettlement safely back in
White House when President Biden and the First do-Pacific region. Kashmir.”
Lady would welcome the Prime Minister amidst “I think it is crucial for us to understand kind In the US, PM Modi will also address the
a 21-gun salute. The White House will be closing of the importance of Modiji speaking on the stage. chairman and CEOs of top US companies at John
the registration shortly for those attending the A lot of global leaders have spoken separately in F Kennedy Centre in Washington. Followed by an
welcome ceremony. the Union House of Representatives. They have address to the Indian diaspora at Ronald Reagan
“India was known as an underdeveloped spoken for state dinners and all of that. But, some- Center in DC in the evening.
country. All that has changed in the last ten years. body addressing the state of the joint session is Several top Indian-Americans have expressed
Thanks a lot to Shri Modiji who has transformed something very very unusual. So, that tells how their excitement to join Prime Minister Modi on
India not only with the IT generation but by rising geopolitics has come around, that tells how much the north lawns of the UN complex in New York,
high above all the expectations of people in terms Modiji has made an influence in the entire geopo- on June 21, where he will lead the International
of infrastructure development, in terms of finan- litical world,” said Srilkeha Reddy Palle a resident Yoga Day event soon after arriving in the country.

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