The Indian American community working relentlessly to throw a “rock star” welcome reception for the prime minister.
AB Wire
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SAN JOSE: The Silicon Valley is highly jubilant over the visit of Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, to the West Coast and the Indian Americans living here seem never so excited.
Modi, who is in the United States on the occasion of 70th annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York, will be in the Valley on September 26 and 27.
It is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the West Coast since 1982.
The Indian American community is working relentlessly to throw a “rock star” welcome reception for the prime minister, something better than what he received at the Madison Square Garden in NY last year. Thousands of volunteers from all walks of life are striving to make his visit to the SAP center on Sunday, a historic event.
“More than 450 community organizations have come together to make this happen. More than 18,000 people are likely to attend and hear the man and his vision. His dreams and agenda to take India forward have resonated with every Indian American in the valley and that’s why they have come together,” said conveyor of IACWA.
The diaspora has found a nationalist leader in Modi, who seem to be a force that is connecting Indians worldwide with an aim to make India a progressed nation.
“Last time an Indian Premier came here, there was no Silicon Valley. The Indian American community played a significant role in making the valley and taking it forward. It is fantastic to hear an Indian prime minister talk the same language as us,” said Ash Kalra, Council member, City of San Jose.
Modi is set to address a huge gathering of more than 20,000 Indian Americans at the SAP Center in San Jose, California on September 27. Thousands of others will watch him on huge screens outside the hall. More than 45,000 had registered for to be witness of this historic event, which is bigger than the last year’s Madison Square address.
“If the 2014 trip was a political milestone, this will be an economic milestone”, said Rakhi Israni, Media chair, IAWAC.
‘Digital India Dream’ and meeting with tech giants
A highly tech-savvy man, Modi thinks that it is through technology that India can progress. Inspired by his government’s initiatives such as “Make in India” and “Digital India” campaigns, top tech leaders in the Silicon Valley have invited him for interactive sessions.
On 26th, Modi will visit the campuses of Google, where he will meet CEO Sundar Pichai, and Tesla Motors, where he will meet Elon Musk and discuss renewable energy. He is expected to seek a deal for solar batteries made by Tesla.
Apart from that, he is also meeting with Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook, and Adobe Systems’ CEO Shantanu Narayen.
The same day, Modi will attend ‘India-US Start-up Konnect’, an event hosted by the Nasscom, TiE Silicon Valley and IIM Ahmedabad’s CIIE India. At this event, a group of Indian start-ups will showcase their innovations and forge partnerships with the vibrant American start-up industry.
On, 27th, Modi will have a question answer session with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the company’s headquarters. The Townhall meeting is set for 9.30 am local time or 10 pm IST. This session will be carried live on Zuckerberg’s Facebook page.
“Mr. Modi wants to bring the innovation mindset from the Valley to India and we are hoping this is just the beginning of a process. And we in Silicon Valley hope to play a significant role “Said venture capitalist, Naren Gupta.
Apart from this, Modi will also interact with start-ups and researchers from various fields. Hundreds of dignitaries including Democratic leader Nancy Pelosy, Ami Bera (first Gujrati to be elected to the US Congress), Tulsi gabbard (first Hindu to be elected to the US Congress) are all likely to attend.
“India is emerging as a hub of start-ups in a wide range of areas and we aspire to take this further. We want the world to see our innovation capabilities in the start-up sector”, Modi wrote on Facebook.”
Modi’s approach may help in building strong ties with the tech hub of the world, Silicon Valley.
The administrative machinery in India is facing huge challenges due to impoverished rural regions with majority of Indian citizens are yet to use the internet. Modi’s digital dreams are expected not only bring in a huge investment to India from the US and other countries, it is also expected to reverse the brain drain.
1 Comment
NARENDRA MODI HAS BEEN THE MOST DYNAMIC & VISIONARY LEADER OF INDIA . JAY HO MODI, JAY BHARAT