Tryst with Destiny - PM Modi Reception in NYC 2014

Tryst with Destiny - PM Modi Reception in NYC 2014

September 28^th, 2014 was a watershed moment in the history of US-India relations. Almost 121 years earlier, Swami Vivekananda, PM Modi’s namesake, gave the most inspiring speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, starting with his invocation “Brothers and Sisters of America”.

In 2014, Indian Prime Minister gave the most inspiring speech I have ever heard in person. Expectations after his landslide win in the Indian election were high – some said too high. Expectations for his US trip on his vision for India, US-India relations and world affairs were nauseatingly high. Indian Americans like me were giddy – we believed in the power of his words but more importantly in the conviction of his spirit.

Enough of expectation – let’s get down to the event. I went to a reception the evening before for USINPAC (United States India PAC). It was at a glitzy restaurant facing Central Park in the heart of Manhattan.  Mood was downright giddy – there were older retirees, Silicon Valley execs, and bright-eyed Indian-American kids of desi high-flyers of US.  Though I did not spend too much time there as I had to rush back for a get-together with my NY friends, the excitement was palpable. Evening party at Arup Acharya’s place was well-attended. Amidst the usual banter, we did discuss in all seriousness how we feel the speech will be a landmark, how Indians all over the world – citizens and NRI – can feel excited about the future. Many of that crowd had supported AAP – but realized if fighting corruption has to be the main focus, it must be executed by an efficient government, which has to be led by a man who has done it before.

D-Day, September 28^th started off with a breakfast with friends and then, the ride to Madison Square Garden(MSG).  There was a long queue outside the venue with the line wending across few blocks. There were Indian and international TV cameras outside; heavy security ringed the venue, including police with sophisticated weapons. I was with my dear friend, Anand Mohan Das from Washington – hi-tech entrepreneur and coincidentally, one of the earliest supporters of Obama when he was just starting to campaign. Suddenly on hearing the name “Partha”, we met two of the stalwarts of the North American Bengal community, Prabir Roy and his wife.

We went through the security; people were rushing to the galleries; we picked up our “Modi in America” T-shirts. There was a stage on the floor; I was pretty close in the nearest gallery section – 101. There were balloons in India and US colors in the rafters; patriotic songs were playing. Various quotes from world leaders were displayed, starting with Swamiji’s famous saying from Katha Upanishad – “Arise, Awake, Stop not till the goal is reached”.Chak de India and Born in the USA were rendered to rapturous applause. Young Indian-Americans performed folk dances, ex Miss USA Nina Davuluri was the MC. American elected officials from Senate and Congress came to the stage as show of support for the Indian PM and belief in stronger Indo-US relations.

Finally, the time came for PM Modi to arrive. Crowd was delirious; shouts of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” “Vandemataram” and “Modi, Modi” filled the air. Often, the Vandamataram is portrayed as “communal” by liberal press; if fourteen year olds climbed unto gallows under British rule and chanted those words as their last words, those words signify burning nationalism and all of us, Indians, regardless of religion, should feel proud. I did on that day, shouting those words in the world’s most famous arena in the heart of Manhattan.

PM Modi took the stage – the crowd was delirious; expectations were ski high and the deafening noise gave away to his chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and famous words “My brothers and sisters, living in America”. He invoked the significance of Navratri – an important festival to purify the soul.

·         He thanked the NRI’s for giving a lot of respect to India, once known as a land of snakes and snake charmers.  He appreciated that we, NRI’s, have earned immense respect through our skills and values. He talked about an incident in Taiwan, where Indians previously played with snakes and made snakes dance, now they play with mouse and control the world.

·         World is convinced that the 21st century belongs to Asia. We are a youthful nation with a very old culture. 65 per cent of Indians are below the age of 35. There is no reason to be disappointed. India will progress very fast and the skills of our youth will take the country ahead. When 125 crore people give their blessings, it automatically becomes God's blessing.

·         We have three powers that nobody else has, and it is our duty to identify these powers, present it to the World and mobilize it:

·         Democracy - This is our biggest strength. Even the poorest man went out in the heat to hear speeches

·         Demographic dividend - 65% of people less than the age of 35 years

·         Demand - The World is looking at India

·         Mahatma Gandhi made the freedom struggle a mass movement. Every Indian felt that yes, even PM Modi at that time was also a part of the freedom struggle. We want to make development a mass movement. The people of India are my strength. In days to come, we will be able to supply work force to the world. The world needs teachers, we will supply teachers. The world will have to recognize the talent of the Indian youth.

·        India is the first nation to have reached Mars in its first attempt. Our Mars budget was smaller than the budget of a Hollywood film. Government has given importance to skill development and created a separate ministry for skill development. He invited everyone to the Make in India initiative

·         We aim to show our strength by exploiting technology to the maximum extent. I have a website MyGov.in. I have made arrangements for you to interact with me. The earlier government spoke only of what laws they have made. I have begun removing obsolete laws. The more laws we get rid of the better it will be for us

·         Modi said “People ask me about my 'bigger vision'. I tell them I reached here by selling tea; I am a simple man, so I focus on small things. “

·         Cleaning Ganga is not only for religious reasons, but, it is also to tackle the climatic problems. Mahatma Gandhi never compromised on cleanliness. He gave us freedom. We should give him a Clean India. 

·         In 2022, it will be 75 years of our independence. It is an important landmark in Indian culture. PM has a dream that by 2022, there should be no one in India without a roof over his head.

·         Finally PM Modi talked about the changes for NRI’s regarding PIO, OCI, and visa on arrival. All these are planned to help NRI’s travel easily to India.

Why did Modi’s speech stand out?

First and foremost, it ringed honest – straight from the heart. He genuinely got people excited – a politician, not giving hyperbolic answers – but a leader and visionary, who has a list of things to take care and is going about it efficiently.  He was sincerely thankful to the NRI’s, never berated anyone for leaving India and on the contrary, grateful that we have helped improve India’s image. Also, I could feel a sense of pride in our India and our culture – a sense we are not inferior to anyone; we are Indians and not split by caste, creed or religion.  Finally, the electricity of the atmosphere made me believe – good times will roll. People are excited about India, about the government’s willingness to make things happen and to take the bull by the horn.

In short, bright future awaits India and she is in good hands.