The Real Reason Indian-Americans Were Celebrating at Modi’s Speech in Madison Square Garden 09-28

The Real Reason Indian-Americans Were Celebrating at Modi’s Speech in Madison Square Garden

The Wall Street Journal

The more than 18,000 people, mostly Indian-Americans, who converged on New York’s Madison Square Garden Sunday, were not only there just to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they were also there to celebrate their own success in the United States.

As a group, Indian-Americans are among the best paid and best educated migrant groups in the United States. On average they earn close to $90,000 a year each—far above the U.S. average income of around  $50,000—and they are much more likely to have a college degrees than even any other group of Asian immigrants, according to a survey by the Washington D.C.-based Pew Research Center.

In Narendra Modi, many Indian-Americans say they have at last found an Indian leader who reflects their own success, optimism and discipline.

Indians have shown how successful they can be in the United States. First and second generation Indian-Americans thrive as professors, doctors, journalists, politicians, actors, spelling bee champions and even as Miss America.

“India was seen as a country of snake charmers,” Prime Minister Modi told the crowd Sunday. “You have changed that.”

Forget Mr. Modi’s humble background and education or the fact that many Indian-Americans could not follow his rousing speech in Hindi, a growing number of Indians who have settled in the United States see him as someone who could fulfil their dream of India becoming a country they would have stayed in.

Some are even threatening to return.

Whether India’s new prime minister has skills beyond rhetoric to help give the diverse democracy the level of success its expatriates enjoy remains to be seen. For now, many Indians abroad see him as one of their own.

Vivek Ranadive migrated from Mumbai to become one of India’s many success stories in America. The owner of the Sacramento Kings and chief executive of Tibco Software attended the event to see his daughter sing the national anthem and Mr. Modi speak.

“I’m a boy from Bombay. I see the prime minister as the first prime minister of the 21st century,” Mr. Ranadive said.  “Indians have been so successful in the U.S. Why can’t Indians in India do that?”

–Sital Patel contributed to this post

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Garden 09- 28

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Garden

PM's address to Indian Community at Madison Square Garden, New York

"I am going to make an India of your dreams" Spirit of hope and change about India, across the world Unique combination of strengths: democracy, demography and demand which will help us transform India Let us make development a mass movement PM announces sweeping changes in procedures to facilitate travel between America and India The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today exhorted Indians to join in the development effort as a mass movement. "I am going to make an India of your dreams," the Prime Minister said as he exhorted the Indian American community to join in the development effort for India. He was addressing the Indian diaspora at a historic event at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event was attended by over 18,000 people. The Prime Minister said that following the election results, there has been a renewed sense of hope and expectation about India. He said all Indian Americans today wanted to renew their links with India. The Prime Minister highlighted the unique combination of three great strengths that India has: democracy, demography and demand. He said that for India, democracy is not just a system of governance, but an article of faith. Shri Narendra Modi said winning the election is a huge responsibility and he will leave no stone unturned to make India a developed country. He said that with the blessings of 125 crore Indians, he was confident that the common man's hopes and aspirations will be fulfilled. "I will do nothing to make you feel ashamed," the Prime Minister said. He said that the country now had the capability, the possibility and the opportunity to make the 21st century India's century. He said India is both the youngest nation and oldest civilization on earth. Saying that development is ultimately achieved through public participation, the Prime Minister said he wants to make development a mass movement, just like Mahatma Gandhi had made the freedom movement a mass movement. He highlighted various initiatives that have been initiated by the new Government including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Make in India, Swachh Bharat and Clean Ganga. The Prime Minister referred to the talent of Indian youth, as exemplified by the success of Mars Orbiter Mission. The Prime Minister also highlighted his stress on skill development and said India could soon emerge as a global supplier of skilled workforce like nurses and teachers. The Prime Minister invited the Indian diaspora to share their suggestions through the platform MyGov.in He said one of his key initiatives was to remove redundant laws, and he would be happy if he could do so at a pace of one a day. He said governance should be for aspirations of common man. People didn't make me PM to do easy things, he remarked. He said 2015 marked a century since the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India. He invited all Pravasi Bharatiyas to join in the celebration, and contribute towards developing India. He said Indians must present Swachh Bharat as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th anniversary in 2019. Referring to his effort for a Clean Ganga, he said the Indian diaspora across the world revered the River Ganga. He said a clean Ganga would improve economic prospects for upto 40 percent of India's population, for which the river was like a lifeline. He also referred to his vision of "Housing for All" on the 75th anniversary of Independence. The Prime Minister unveiled a series of facilitation initiatives aimed at making travel from America to India easier: Noting that there are certain differences between the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) schemes, the Prime Minister said PIO cardholders will be granted visa for life, and a new scheme will be announced soon, merging the two schemes. He said there would be no need for long-stay visitors to India to visit police stations. He also announced long term tourist visas for American citizens and said visa on arrival for American tourists will be announced soon. Transcript Courtesy: Press Information Bereau Government of India