Full house at Madison Square: Indian Americans queue up for Modi's US speech

Hold your breath,  Indians in America. Six years after Slumdog Millionaire and thirteen years after your most memorable import from India, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham hit the US shores , here’s your moment to be happy about something desi. And it comes in no other shape than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reports suggest that Indians have already showed their enthusiasm by buying off all the tickets to the Prime Minister’s address at Madison Square Gardens. Those who haven’t managed to land those tickets, don’t lose heart yet. Zee News reports, “As per reports, the organizers of the event have announced that those who could not manage to get the tickets could gather at Times Square where the Indian leader’s address would be broadcast live on a large screen.” [caption id=“attachment_1724785” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Landmark step: Narendra Modi. AP[/caption] They have also reported, “The Indian American Community Foundation (IACF), which is hosting the programme, said 18,000 free tickets have been distributed to various community organizations across America. The rest is for donors and invitees. The seating capacity of the venue is 20,000.” However, guess what, while US plans to lay out a feast for him, our Prime Minister would be on a strict Navratra fast while on the trip. “The Prime Minister has been keeping Navratra fast for four decades and this year will be no different. We have told him that keeping his busy schedule in the US in mind, he should ideally have some lime juice or vitamin water, but he hasn’t said yes or no to us,” the PMO said. Apart from Preity Zinta being present in the audience, The Economic Times reports, renowned violinist L Shankar will be performing at Madison Square prior to Modi’s address. ET reports: “No community member will share the stage with Modi. Introductions to some 30-odd US Senators and Congressmen who have been invited, would be done by the emcees, former Miss America Nina Davuluri and newscaster Hari Sreenivasan. Billionaire Vivek Ranadive’s daughter Anjali gets to sing the US national anthem, while playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy will in all likelihood sing the Indian anthem. Violin maestro L Shankar will perform, to become only the second Indian-origin musician to perform at the venue, after Ravi Shankar’s iconic concert for Bangladesh in July, 1971.” Since we know that the Prime Minister is pretty austere in his ways, we have no doubt that on a diet of lime juice, or just cold American air, Modi will  be able to enjoy the veritable feast of music that seems to have been prepared for him. While PM Modi got to at least offer the Chinese President almost every dish created in Gujarat during the latter’s visit, the US will have no such chance to dazzle the Indian PM with it’s culinary skills. The Indian Express reports, “Elaborate menus for a private dinner at the White House and a reception by the Indian Ambassador to the US are ready. However, Narendra Modi is unlikely to savour either. Throughout his US outing, the Prime Minister will be observing Navratra fast.” Weep in a corner masterchefs of US, you didn’t earn yourself a date with our PM!