USA (Commonwealth Union)_ In a remarkable demonstration of the growing influence and unity within the Indian-American community, over 24,000 individuals have registered for the highly anticipated community event, “Modi & US: Progress Together.” Scheduled for September 22, 2024, this major gathering will take place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, which has a seating capacity of 15,000. Accordingly, Modi’s community event, organized by the Indo-American Community of the USA (IACU), will feature an address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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This historic event marks a significant moment for both the Indian-American community and US-India relations. Accordingly, the IACU, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering unity and cultural understanding within the Indo-American community, announced that the registrations have poured in through 590 community organizations across the United States, all acting as ‘Welcome Partners.’ While attendees from at least 42 states are expected, the response has been particularly robust from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Accordingly, a key organizer emphasized the commitment to accommodating as many participants as possible, noting that efforts are underway to expand seating arrangements and prioritize final seat allocations based on confirmed attendance.
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The “Modi & US: Progress Together” event promises to be a historic occasion, celebrating the vibrant diversity of the Indian-American community. Attendees will include individuals from various religious backgrounds, such as Jewish, Zoroastrian, Jain, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu communities. Additionally, the event will reflect India’s rich linguistic diversity with participants representing languages including Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, and Gujarati. In addition to Prime Minister Modi’s address, the event will feature a range of cultural performances and appearances by notable Indian Americans in fields such as business, science, entertainment, and the arts. This multifaceted approach underscores the event’s role in highlighting and celebrating the achievements and contributions of the Indian-American community.
Furthermore, Modi’s community event in Long Island is notably timed to coincide with Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the high-level session of the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to speak on September 26, 2024. This visit follows his previous engagements with significant Indian-American gatherings, including the memorable Madison Square Garden event in New York in September 2014, shortly after he assumed office as Prime Minister. Modi’s earlier visit to the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston, Texas, which featured former President Donald Trump, further solidified his rapport with the Indian-American community.
Additionally, the upcoming UN General Assembly session, running from September 24-30, 2024, will see Modi address world leaders amidst a backdrop of global discussions. Accordingly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to present his report at the start of the General Debate, followed by the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly. The high-level week will also include the Summit of the Future, where world leaders will discuss the Pact for the Future, a key initiative including a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States also aligns with the presidential election cycle, with November’s election featuring a contest between former President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, the first woman of black and Indian heritage.
As the Indian-American community prepares for this significant event, the IACU continues to play a pivotal role in bridging cultural and national ties, showcasing the community’s contributions, and fostering greater understanding and collaboration between India and the United States. The “Modi & US: Progress Together” event stands as a testament to the evolving and dynamic relationship between the two nations and the growing prominence of the Indian-American community on the global stage.
