By Prashant Shah 

(With the input of ANI) 

Addressing the historic reception organized by Indian Diaspora, Prime Minister Modi confidently said 15,000 thundering crowd at Nassau Coliseum, Long Lsland, New York, that no ocean can separate you – the Indian Americans – from India. That reminds me iconic dialog from Shah Rukh Khan’s Swadesh movie "You can take a person out of India, but you can't take India out of the person." 

As PM Modi entered the Nassau Coliseum, he greeted the Indian diaspora, with 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. Greeting the diaspora, PM Modi said “Now apna ‘Namoskar’ has become multinational. It has gone from local to global, and you have done all this. Every Indian who keeps India in their heart has contributed to this.” 

He praised the community for upholding the tradition of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which means “the World is One Family.” 

Defining ‘Pushp,’ PM Modi stated, “I define it as 'P' for Progressive Bharat, 'U' for Unstoppable Bharat, 'S' for Spiritual Bharat, 'H' for Humanity first, which India has dedicated itself to, and 'P' for Prosperous India... All five petals of 'Pushp' will help create a Viksit Bharat." 

Modi highlighted India's growing stature on the global platform, asserting, "The world listens when India speaks. Some time ago, when I said that this is not the era of war, its severity was understood by all..." By providing a platform for world leaders to unite and speak with one voice, India demonstrated its commitment to fostering cooperation and driving positive change. He stated that for India, power and potency mean, "Knowledge is for sharing, wealth is for caring, power is for protecting."

 With his oratorical flair, PM Modi declared: "Hum aag ki tarah jalaane waale nahin, Suraj ki kiran ki tarah roshani dene waale hain." (We do not want to burn like fire; we want to shine like the sun's rays.) "We don’t seek supremacy in the world, but rather aim to enhance cooperation for global prosperity." 

Appreciating Diaspora contribution, Modi said, “For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means the American-Indian spirit. This is the new 'AI' power of the world.... I salute the Indian diaspora here." Modi emphasized, "I have always understood your potential... the potential of the Indian diaspora. You have always been India's strongest brand ambassador for me. That’s why I call all of you 'Rashtradoot' (Ambassadors of the Nation)." 

Speaking on the diversity of India, PM Modi remarked, "We are residents of a country where there are hundreds of languages and dialects, encompassing all the religions and sects of the world. Yet, we are moving ahead united and noble. This is our greatest strength in connecting with the world. These values naturally bind us to the world."

Praising the Indian diaspora for their talent and skills, he stated that they connect India to America. "You have connected India to America and America to India. Your skill, talent, and commitment are unparalleled. You may have crossed seven seas, but no sea is deep enough to distance you from India. What Ma Bharati (Mother India) has taught us, we can never forget. Wherever we go, we embrace everyone as family. Understanding diversity and living it is in our veins," PM Modi said. 

In his over one-hour long speech, he also apprised the gathering how India has become a key player in mobile manufacturing -- from being an importer to an exporter, digital public infrastructure adoption. He added that the day is not far when Made in India chips will be available in America. 

Modi also announced that India has decided to open two new Consulates in Boston and Los Angeles in the US, forging stronger ties between the two countries, going forward. 

In an emotional tone, Modi remarked, "I am the first Prime Minister of India born after Independence. Crores of Indians dedicated their lives to the Independence movement... We couldn't die for India, but we can live for the country..." The whole auditorium reverberated with “Modi, Modi, Modi” by 15,000 strong voice for each sentence Modi spoke to diaspora. 

Priya, a member of the Indian diaspora, said the event venue was full of energy and vibrant. "The arena was full of energy, so much vibrancy. We all know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is such a good speaker. I mean, he really energized the whole thing. And speaking about how important and vital role India is playing in Global South, which is very important, and also the energy and the synergy of the US-India relationship was very much at the forefront through his speech, where he energized everybody...," Priya told ANI. 

Chandram Mukhim representing DICCI (Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industry, USA) told ANI, that it was a great event for the community, for the country and for the Indian diaspora. "It's a successful event and from the prospect of diversity and inclusivity, it just opened up space for the community and for the people." 

Sudhir M. Parikh, Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold said, " the event was done very nicely...People enjoyed the Prime Minister's speech. I'm sure everyone agrees that the Prime Minister is a great orator. He puts our development story very clearly and very convincingly and we really enjoyed it..." 

Nirav Patel, representing Asian American Store Owners Association, who participated in the community event, talking to ANI, said that the Prime Minister has presented today's India. "The Prime Minister has presented India today to the United States that how India is growing and how the Indian community is growing in America and what is the contribution of Indian Americans in USA. We are almost about 7-8 per cent of the GDP growth in America and also the way India has shown growth without damaging the atmosphere and the climate. India is creating hardly 4 per cent of the carbon emission than what the other developed countries are generating," Patel told ANI. 

Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora, who had the chance to meet the Prime Minister said, it was heartening to hear the Indian leader. "I had the chance to meet with Prime Minister Modi briefly before the event and had the chance to present to him what work Indiaspora has done in conjunction with Boston Consulting Group on the impact of the Indian diaspora on the US-India relationship and on US society. And it was heartening to hear him say he's been doing this for a while for many years now. 

Saluting the Indian diaspora, really acknowledging their contributions in the US India space across a variety of different realms and that was really remarkable and heartening to hear..., " said Joshipura. 

Ashok Madhav, another member of the Indian diaspora, told ANI, that he thinks India is in good hands and India will continue to grow. "Right now, it is the 5th largest and it will become the third largest in the next five years and the Indian diaspora in the USA is playing its role..., " said Ashok Madhav. 

Another diaspora member talking to ANI appreciated the Prime Minister's speech. "He spoke about 6G. He spoke about drones but something that is really appealing is we are focusing a lot on sustainability. We are focusing on inclusive growth and the PM covered everything. He spoke about rural development, about the participation of women and men in the development...," the diaspora member said. 

Indian diaspora member dressed as Goddess Yellamma Devi told ANI,"...I am so proud to be an Indian, and I am very happy to be here. Wherever we go, we should be proud of our country." "I am so happy to be here...We respect PM Modi. I’m going to take such happy memories... “

"I am super excited to listen to Modi ji. We have come from Connecticut," another member, Jaideep Shah, had said.

 "We are here to see Modi ji. We have many expectations from him like on the issue of immigration," a member of the Indian community said. 

While speaking to ANI, a member of the event organising committee, Jagdish Sewhani, said, "It is a historical event in Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, New York. It looks like we are celebrating Diwali here... 15,000 Indian diaspora have come here in New York from 42 different states. More than 500 artists perform at the event in honour of PM Modi.  It was the first time ever, that an Indian PM come to Long Island in 75 years. The mayor of Nassau County is so excited to welcome the most popular leader, not only in India but in the world," he added. 

The enthusiasm to catch a glimpse of the PM saw a line of people queuing up about five hours before the event, with artists from different groups playing their traditional music to welcome the Prime Minister.

A member of the group performing Dhol-Tasha, said, "We play Dhol-Tasha to keep alive the roots of India.” 

Later on September 22, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology, among others. 

On September 23, PM Modi addressed the Summit of the Future at the United Nations.