SAN JOSE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Indian leader to visit the US West Coast in more than 30 years. On Day 2, of his Silicon Valley tour, PM Modi visited Facebook and Google Inc headquarters before addressing a mega event at the SAP Center, San Jose that was attended by nearly 18,500 people.
Indo-American Community of West Coast, a not-for-profit promoting cooperation between the United States and India, had organized the event in partnership with 313 Indian-American organizations in the US. More than 45,000 people had registered for Modi’s community reception at SAP arena; however, only 18,500 people were given the passes to attend the historical event.
Over 1,200 volunteers had been making preparations for Modi’s address in San Jose, California and each and every step was planned meticulously and the crowd had a memorable experience to cherish.
Indian American comedian Rajiv Satyal, Indo-American journalist Raj Mathai and Bollywood actress Ashwini Bhave were among the hosts of the grand reception. Bhave, a well-known Bollywood actress and longtime resident of the Bay Area, has an acting career that has spanned over 40 films with several critically-acclaimed performances. Six-time Emmy award winner Mathai is the weeknight news anchor for NBC Bay Area and is among the Bay Area’s most well-known TV personalities. “We are Indian, we are American, we are Indian American,” the two declared, the echoes of the slogan across the rows clearly showed this was something that touched a chord with the audience.
At the Community Reception, cultural performances began at 5:30 pm, a series of amazing performances from across California to welcome Prime Minister Modi. The first of which was a beautiful dance performance by the dancers of the Nrityodaya Kathak Academy from Los Angeles.
The Northern California dance company the Mona Khan Company, which has performed at events like the Indiaspora Inaugural Gala in Washington D.C. in honor of President Obama’s second term in office, also performed at the event. Indian singer Kailash Kher enthralled audience at SAP Centre before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s electrifying address to Indian Diaspora here with his catchy numbers and pop-cum-Sufi singing style.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered the arena at 7:00pm and told cheering Indian community members at the SAP Centre that he was seeing a “vibrant picture” of India in California with the tech experts.” I am coming here after 25 years. I see a lot of change here. I see a vibrant picture of India in California. I see a shine in people’s eyes and dreams and the aspiration to do something big,” he said.
He opened his speech by remembering Shaheed Bhagat Singh. “I bow to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary. He sacrificed his life so that we can lead a life of freedom, liberty and dignity,” the Prime Minister said. He remembered the Sikh families who migrated to California in 1914 to work in the lush fertile lands of Central valley. Modi recollected the contribution of the Gadar party in San Francisco in India’s independence movement. California has had a rich historic relationship and contribution in India’s development, he said.
Modi said that no one ever thought that brain drain can become brain gain.” This is actually brain deposit,” he asserted, adding that it would serve its motherland at an appropriate time. “Now it is the time that every Indian can show people their strength,” he said in his hour-long speech.
India can’t lag behind, he said to loud cheers and 13 US Congressmen in the audience, including Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the House of Representatives and a powerful Democrat. Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a key supporter of India, was also there.
Modi also said that the 21st century is India’s century and attributed the sudden change in India’s fortune to the commitment, strength and pledge of the 125 crore people of the country. He said that in the past 16 months, World’s perception about India has changed dramatically.
The world is looking at India with a new vision and aspiration.
He attributed this change to the commitment, strength and pledge of the 125 crore people of the country. “With your talent, commitment, innovations you are forcing the world to change,” he said addressing the assembled Indian Americans. Modi said he was confident of India’s success because 65 per cent of the population of the country are of less than 35 years old.
On his ambitious Digital India program, Modi said his mission is JAM – Jan Dhan financial inclusion program, Aadhar unique identity card and Mobile Governance. In just 100 days, 18crore new bank accounts were opened, which deposited Rs 32,000 crores in the bank, he said.
The Prime Minister said that the world is facing two biggest challenges of terrorism and global warming. “These can be successfully addressed with firm commitment and co-operation with the people of the world,” he said.
Projecting India as a “heaven” for investors, PM Narendra Modi said his government is working on deregulation and ensuring ‘ease of doing business’ as he aims to convert the country’s economy from 8 trillion dollars to 20 trillion dollars.
He said his government was laying thrust on three sectors particularly – agriculture, services and manufacturing – along with building the physical and digital infrastructure simultaneously.
Modi rued that so far the international community, the UN in particular have not even been able to have a definition of terrorism or identify who can be called a terrorist. Observing that India has been a victim of terrorism for the past 40 years, Modi said the West and many other countries woke up to the menace of terrorism only after bomb blasts or terror attacks in their nation.
“We cannot let 21st century to be stained with terrorism,” Modi said.
“Be it World Bank, IMF, Moody’s or any other research agency, everyone is saying India is the fastest growing economy of the world,” Modi said, listing the welfare schemes such as Jan Dhan Yojana and Digital India that his government has initiated. “The JAM yojana will help to root out corruption,” he said. He also touched on skill development, Beti Bacho, Beti Padhao, and the soil health card, and Neem coating for urea to help farmers.
“I had assured you I will work round the clock for the well-being of the people, I will live and die for my motherland,” the PM declared amid applause.
Congressmen Ami Bera and George Holding, two co-chairs of the influential Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, were also there. Among other lawmakers present were Loretta Sanchez, Eric Swalwell, Mike Honda, Tulsi Gabbard and Jim McDermott.
VIDYA SETHURAMAN
India Post News Service
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