A sight for sore eyes …. the way PM Modi was feted and celebrated in the US made every Indian feel proud. For those who don’t like Modiji, forget the person, this is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has been treated this way. I don’t see what’s not to like in that. Yes, several of his events are stage managed, but am glad they are. It was a high to see chants of “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” everywhere. USA has been MODIfied :):):).
Guinness World Record
The USA state visit started with a Guinness world record on June 21st. On the International Day of Yoga, PM Modi did yoga along with 2000 people representing around 135 nationalities on the lawns of the UN Headquarters.
Some pictures from the event –
The International Day of Yoga has ensured that India is identified as the birthplace of Yoga. It’s a way of patenting so that no other country claims ownership. Unfortunately the USA has been a rogue country filing patents for some Ayurvedic herbs, Pranayama and even Ekadasi Fasts. India hasn’t been very savvy about this. The UN passing India’s resolution of International Day of Yoga has been a game changer in many ways.
Ceremonial Welcome to the White House
The first thing one notices is how packed Modiji’s schedule is on every trip !! The man doesn’t take a break nor does he allow his team to take a break. The sheer level of planning that goes into each trip is mind boggling and this is as an outside observer. Am sure there are several other things/pacts accomplished that we never get to know.
At the ceremonial welcome to the White House, hearing Modiji speak in Hindi was such a welcome change. Personally am still unable to understand why our first PM spoke in English on the eve of our Independence. Someone could have translated the speech but millions in the country would have rejoiced hearing Pandit Nehru speak in Hindi. A subtle message of breaking off from the colonial subservient mindset would have been sent. But that was not to be.
So Modiji speaking in Hindi at the White House felt really good. President Biden’s speech was similarly translated into Hindi, again a subtle message of being comfortable in our skin, and being a truly independent nation.
I have nothing against English, in fact I love the language and it allows us to be world citizens, but when speaking with my fellow Indians I would like to speak in our languages – Hindi or Tamil.
Addressing the Congress
The only Indian PM to address the USA Congress twice – Mr. Modi. And what an address !!!!
15 standing ovations; 79 rounds of applause; and then the queuing up of senators to get his autograph. USA is MODIfied indeed 🙂
Read the minute by minute update by my buddy Arun Krishnan. He posted it as a tweet thread. Follow him @ArunKrishnan_ on Twitter.
Pics of the US senators lining up to get Modiji’s autograph –
A few statements that stood out for me – India is the Mother of democracy. This is a true statement. We have the democratic principles etched in stone literally. Do read – Uttiramerur – Democratic tenets inscribed on stone.
The second statement of Modiji which I totally resonate with is “We celebrated a remarkable journey of 75 years of independence after 1000 years of foreign rule”. Some jokers in India have taken offence to this statement, but again it’s a true statement. The Delhi Sultanate, then the Mughal rule, followed by the British – all foreign rule. This has to be said. The foreign rule has totally messed up our identity and taken away the pride in our ancient civilisation.
Mary Milliben MODIfied
This moment where singer Mary Milliben touches Modiji’s feet because he is an elder and that’s the way we Indians show respect to our elders will be remembered forever. She did this just after singing our National Anthem. Krishnan and I heard it the next day and for some reason her singing brought tears to our eyes. Am sure it’s her feeling that was transported to us through her singing. Thank You Mary 🙏🏿.
After hundreds of years when every cultural more and tradition of ours was belittled, this was special.
I have to write another blog about all that got done by Modiji during his US visit…. and soon.
Thank You Modiji for being who you are and for your relentless pursuit of making India the best country in the world. 🙏🏿