New York: With emotional appeals and promises of action, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged thousands of Indian-Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden Sunday to help him develop the nation's economy, vowing that under his leadership, India won't look back.
A day after addressing a hushed UN General Assembly, where headphone-wearing delegates rarely break into a smile, Narendra Modi received a tumultuous welcome from upward of 18,000 people. He announced plans to simplify the immigration bureaucracy for Indians living abroad, and called on them to "join hands to serve our mother India."
Modi drew on the mix of high aspirations and homespun style that served him well on the campaign trail when he won a convincing election victory in May.
A dazzling, Bollywood-style show warmed up the crowd before Modi appeared. About 30 US lawmakers attended - ringing the stage as the Indian leader came into the auditorium under a spotlight like a boxing champion. The event had the feel of a political rally, and the audience periodically broke out into chants of "Modi! Modi!"
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Modi told a rapturous crowd of NRIs that Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders will get lifetime Indian visa and that American tourists will be given visa on arrival.
Watch: PM Narendra Modi address to NRI's at Madison Square Garden
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Modi announced the merger of PIO and Overseas Citizens of India schemes to facilitate hassle-free travel to the Indian diaspora. He announced that PIO card holders staying in India on long-term basis will no longer have to report to the local police station.
Prime Minister Modi affirmed that India will move ahead at a rapid pace and lead the 21st Century world.
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At the unique event in the heart of Manhattan at which some 20,000 cheering NRIs were present, Modi said that his big win in the Lok Sabha elections had come with a big responsibility for him which he would fulfil.
Listing out India's advantages, the Prime Minister said that its three strengths were democracy, demographic dividend in which 65 per cent of its population was under 35 years, and the demand for India because it was a huge market.
"My effort is to make development a mass movement. I am confident is that we will succeed. There is cause for disappointment. This country is going to make rapid progress,” Modi said
"There are many expectations from the new government. This government will be 100 per cent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of people," he said amid loud cheers. My dream is to see every Indian family has a home by 2022," he said.
Clearly with an eye on the younger generation, Modi said, "We will not do anything which will let you down."
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Attired in a saffron Nehru jacket and yellow kurta, the prime minister held the packed indoor stadium spellbound, asserting that "Our attempt is to make development a peoples' movement."
In his 75-minute-long speech in Hindi, which he began with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' while extending greetings for Navratri festival, Modi promised good governance, saying after a gap of 30 years India has got a government at the Centre with a clear majority.
He also had a jibe at poll predictions in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections. "No political pundit or opinion makers could fathom such a verdict," he said.
"Winning elections is not about any post or chair. It's a responsibility. Since taking over (as Prime Minister), I have not even taken a 15-minute vacation," he said.
"You may not have voted in 2014 but I am sure that when the results were coming, you didn't sleep and you all celebrated," he told the NRIs.
Promising a fast pace of development, Modi said, "There is no reason to be disappointed. India will progress very fast and the skills of our youth will take India ahead."
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Attended by Indian-Americans from across the country and also from five provinces in Canada, this was the largest ever public reception to an Indian Prime Minister in America, a fact acknowledged by Modi himself.
"No Indian leaders have ever received this kind of reception. I am indebted to you. I will repay this debt. I will fulfil your dreams of India," Modi said amidst thunderous applause from the audience.
Modi's address, which was also attended by Congressmen and Senators, was preceded by a cultural extravaganza with performances by among others singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and her violin maestro husband L Subramaniam.
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An artist painted a huge portrait of Modi on the stage while the duo's performances were on.
A Gujarati garba dance performance kick started the grand rockstar-like reception of Modi hosted by Indian-Americans. Indian-origin news anchor Hari Sreenivasan and Miss America Nina Davuluri anchored the event.
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A photographic collage of eminent Indian-Americans were shown. Also images of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Swami Vivekananda and Satyajit Ray were shown.
The speech was beamed live at the iconic Times Square and was watched by Indian Americans in 'Modi Watch Party' ranging from universities to small cities to community centres.
For the convenience of Indian American, the speech was not only telecast live, but also carried English subtitles in a real time basis.
