It was an emotional appeal to the Non-Resident Indians to repay their debt to the motherland. In exchange, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to create an India of “their dreams” – clean, efficient and accountable.
In one swift move, he elevated the NRIs to a rather hallowed status. He said just like Mahatama Gandhi, who was also an NRI who helped India win its freedom, those who live in America can also do their bit. “You are India’s aan, baan, aur shaan,” he said.
The speech at Madison Square Garden, filled nearly to capacity, was a mixture of designer sops for the NRIs and grandiose rhetoric to tug at their heartstrings. Modi announced the merger of the two schemes under which NRIs get visas to India – the Overseas Citizens of India and the Person of Indian Origin – and life-long visas.
Rise of the tea seller
There was huge applause from the crowd as Modi touched all the points that have now become his standard message. They roared and whistled when he talked of being a small guy who once sold tea.
But just outside, some of his supporters roughed up television personality Rajdeep Sardesai as a “traitor” to the cause. As in India, so abroad, Modi supporters don’t appreciate any difference of opinion or even questions about their hero.
BJP supporters had begun assembling at Madison Square Garden, as if for worship, with awe in their eyes and faith in their heart. Many came dressed in their Sunday best. Scores of Bohra Muslims also were in the crowd.
A few protesters from Sikh, Dalit and Muslim groups, marked their presence outside with placards about “genocide” in Gujarat. “Modi, you can’t hide, you committed genocide,” they shouted.
But inside, the enthusiasm was palpable as volunteers with saffron scarves walked around guiding the audience.
Another announcement to please the many Americans in the audience was that American tourists will get a visa on arrival. This has been announced before – by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – but the embassies had not been notified nor the immigration officers prepared with the necessary paperwork, computers and skills.
Modi will need a magic wand to make this happen because an investment of tens of crores in computers and biometric machines at all major airports is necessary, to say nothing of sophisticated software before the first tourist can be waved through the Delhi or Bombay terminals. It is not a job that can be done fast.
The announcement may remain an announcement for a while. After the last time India announced this facility, Americans who go to India often celebrated – only to be told the move was a while off.
The speech was designed to appeal to the young generation of the NRIs who feel a connection to India but not as strong as their parents. “You have given me a lot of love for the last 15 years,” Modi said as he began winding down the hour-long speech. "No other Indian politicians has got that kind of love."
An impressive number of US lawmakers attended the rally. In a move designed to maximise Modi's image and make them wait, the organisers called them on stage one by one to wait until the Indian prime minister arrived to chants from the crowd. It was an opportunity created for photos and symbolism – these are the very same men and women who passed a law under which his visa was revoked.
American politicians seeking tickets to the event increased as the date came closer, according to Indian embassy officials. Interestingly, Chuck Schumer was in attendance, even though he is one of the key senators against outsourcing and therefore seen as unfriendly to India. Others included Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elliot Engel, Ed Royce and Jo Crowley.
Fusion music
Miss America Nina Davuluri and a prominent TV anchor, Hari Srinivasan, compered the show before Modi came on stage. The two are among the most visible Indian American faces today – Srinivasan anchors one of the most prestigious news programmes on public television. He is the antithesis of Arnab Goswami.
The entertainment floundered between good to really tacky with kids dancing to “fusion” music made up of Jay-Z refrains colliding with a shrill Jai Ho.
American reporters covering the event commented the rally seemed like a presidential victory lap with balloons dropping the ceiling after Modi departed the arena. To Indian reporters, who have watched Modi for a while in action, he was in his element “a perfect showman.”
In one swift move, he elevated the NRIs to a rather hallowed status. He said just like Mahatama Gandhi, who was also an NRI who helped India win its freedom, those who live in America can also do their bit. “You are India’s aan, baan, aur shaan,” he said.
The speech at Madison Square Garden, filled nearly to capacity, was a mixture of designer sops for the NRIs and grandiose rhetoric to tug at their heartstrings. Modi announced the merger of the two schemes under which NRIs get visas to India – the Overseas Citizens of India and the Person of Indian Origin – and life-long visas.
Rise of the tea seller
There was huge applause from the crowd as Modi touched all the points that have now become his standard message. They roared and whistled when he talked of being a small guy who once sold tea.
But just outside, some of his supporters roughed up television personality Rajdeep Sardesai as a “traitor” to the cause. As in India, so abroad, Modi supporters don’t appreciate any difference of opinion or even questions about their hero.
BJP supporters had begun assembling at Madison Square Garden, as if for worship, with awe in their eyes and faith in their heart. Many came dressed in their Sunday best. Scores of Bohra Muslims also were in the crowd.
A few protesters from Sikh, Dalit and Muslim groups, marked their presence outside with placards about “genocide” in Gujarat. “Modi, you can’t hide, you committed genocide,” they shouted.
But inside, the enthusiasm was palpable as volunteers with saffron scarves walked around guiding the audience.
Another announcement to please the many Americans in the audience was that American tourists will get a visa on arrival. This has been announced before – by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – but the embassies had not been notified nor the immigration officers prepared with the necessary paperwork, computers and skills.
Modi will need a magic wand to make this happen because an investment of tens of crores in computers and biometric machines at all major airports is necessary, to say nothing of sophisticated software before the first tourist can be waved through the Delhi or Bombay terminals. It is not a job that can be done fast.
The announcement may remain an announcement for a while. After the last time India announced this facility, Americans who go to India often celebrated – only to be told the move was a while off.
The speech was designed to appeal to the young generation of the NRIs who feel a connection to India but not as strong as their parents. “You have given me a lot of love for the last 15 years,” Modi said as he began winding down the hour-long speech. "No other Indian politicians has got that kind of love."
An impressive number of US lawmakers attended the rally. In a move designed to maximise Modi's image and make them wait, the organisers called them on stage one by one to wait until the Indian prime minister arrived to chants from the crowd. It was an opportunity created for photos and symbolism – these are the very same men and women who passed a law under which his visa was revoked.
American politicians seeking tickets to the event increased as the date came closer, according to Indian embassy officials. Interestingly, Chuck Schumer was in attendance, even though he is one of the key senators against outsourcing and therefore seen as unfriendly to India. Others included Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Elliot Engel, Ed Royce and Jo Crowley.
Fusion music
Miss America Nina Davuluri and a prominent TV anchor, Hari Srinivasan, compered the show before Modi came on stage. The two are among the most visible Indian American faces today – Srinivasan anchors one of the most prestigious news programmes on public television. He is the antithesis of Arnab Goswami.
The entertainment floundered between good to really tacky with kids dancing to “fusion” music made up of Jay-Z refrains colliding with a shrill Jai Ho.
American reporters covering the event commented the rally seemed like a presidential victory lap with balloons dropping the ceiling after Modi departed the arena. To Indian reporters, who have watched Modi for a while in action, he was in his element “a perfect showman.”
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