'Ahlan Modi': Sloganeering, traditional dances, sprinkling of Arabic as UAE welcomes PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for bestowing upon him the highest civilian award, “The Order of Zayed,” in 2019 during his seventh visit to the country in the past ten years. He added that the honor was not just for him but for the millions of Indians living in the Gulf nation. Speaking at the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event in Abu Dhabi, the Prime Minister also mentioned the strengthening bilateral relations between India and the United Arab Emirates, stating that the UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and seventh-largest investor. The audience was captivated by the cultural acts, which included Kathak, Garba, Rajasthani folk dances, Haryanvi dance, and the traditional presentation of Vande Mataram. Later, the audience swayed to the patriotic chartbusters. Those who had dressed creatively to attend the event were among the audience. The audience was captivated by the cultural acts, which included Kathak, Garba, Rajasthani folk dances, Haryanvi dance, and the traditional presentation of Vande Mataram. Later, the audience swayed to the patriotic chartbusters. Those who had dressed creatively to attend the event were among the audience. But the loudest response was when PM Modi spoke a few sentences in Arabic to highlight the linkages between words spoken in India with that language. Retired couple Padmanabha Hegde and Asha Hegde, who made Abu Dhabi their home 32 years ago, said it is a moment they wouldn’t have missed. “We are Hindus and live peacefully in a Muslim country, how many people know about how safe and welcoming it is. The event is symbolic of Hindu-Muslim unity and of course watching PM Modi from close is a delight,” Asha Hegde, said. Indian school students, who came to attend the event after attending their school, said they were there for motivational lessons that the PM always has for children. “He is a big motivator and it is a delight to listen to him like a Ted Talk,” said Harshit Pradhan, a class 11 student from DPS Dubai. At the end of his address, the Prime Minister took a round of the stadium in a batter-powered vehicle waving at the crowd as an excited audience clicked selfies and shouted ‘Modi-Modi.’ Following the inclement weather conditions on Monday after heavy rains and flashes of lightning across the UAE overnight, causing traffic snarls and waterlogging, the prestigious event was scaled down. However, Tuesday was a sunny day and the weather did not prove to be a hindrance to the boisterous celebrations. PM Modi is on a two-day visit, his seventh to the country, and third within the last eight months. He will inaugurate the largest Hindu temple here on Wednesday. (With agency inputs)