May 31, 2026 04:03 am (IST)
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History awaits Modi at Madison Square
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): Life is going to complete a circle for Prime Minister Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi when he takes the centre-stage at the Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday.
It was a morning in 2005, when Modi was invited by Indian diaspora to deliver a speech in the same place.
But he could not attend the function as the then US Government had revoked Modi’s visa after allegations arose that he did little to prevent the 2002 riots in his home state Gujarat in which about 1000 people were killed, mostly Muslims.
Modi was the Chief Minister of the state then.
The Indo-American community who organized the event during that time, decided to go-ahead with it, in a different way.
They placed an empty chair, which Modi was supposed to take in the podium.
It was meant to be solidarity, a silent protest against US decision. Modi of course did deliver the speech live, but from way back in India thousands of miles away, via video conference.
After nine long years, Modi is going to USA, this time as the Prime Minister of India.
Soon after Mr Modi won the election, the US courted him and said he would be welcomed in America. US Government has invited him to visit the country, and Modi chose the same place which he was about to visit nine years ago.
This time also, the speech will be delivered live, but it will not be restricted to the walls of Madison Square Garden, but it will be streamed live across Times Square. Modi’s speech will be telecast in all the giant screens of Times Square, which the organizers have booked already.
Modi is expected to draw largest crowd ever by a foreign leader on US soil when he takes the stage in New York's most famous sports and entertainment arena. Some 18,000 people are expected to pack Madison Square Garden.
The organizers said that the demand for tickets is extremely high. It has been learnt that, not only Indian diaspora, but many US lawmakers, celebrities are also going to be present in the gathering.
Overseas BJP supporters are seeing this as a “sweet revenge”.
Earlier, Modi landed in US with overwhelming response.
Everywhere he went, he was greeted by fans.
On Saturday, when he attended in New York’s Central Park rock-concert stage, he was greeted a s a ‘rockstar’ by US youths.
He delivered an inspirational speech addressing the youths of America, which was lauded by many quarters.
The highlight of Modi’s US tour will be on Monday, when he heads to Washington to meet US President Barack Obama in the White House.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold one-on-one meet after which Obama will host a dinner in the honor of Indian Prime Minister.
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