Indian-Americans in Houston are all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the mega “Howdy, Modi” event on Sunday, to be attended by 50,000 audience, the largest gathering ever for an elected foreign leader visiting the US, other than the Pope.
The three-hour “Howdy, Modi!” event in which President Donald Trump will join Prime Minister Modi is being organised at the sprawling NRG Football Stadium, one of the largest in the US, with an impressive history of shows that starred Beyonce, Metallica, U2.
Indian Ambassador Harsh V Shringla along with his team previewed the event at NRG Stadium early Friday, where preparations are in full swing and over 1,500 volunteers are working round the clock to make it a memorable event.
“The event is a grand celebration of culture and unity of America and India, where attendees will hear Modi speak about the deepening US-India ties strengthened by the confirmations of over three million Indian Americans in the US and will lay out his vision of the continuous India’s growth and development as he begins his second term following his historic re-election,” Priti Dawra, spokesperson of Texas India Forum said in a press briefing on Friday.
Dawra said President Trump’s participation in the event shows that he is highlighting his “goodwill and friendship” towards the Indian Prime Minister, the people of India and the Indian American diaspora.
A bipartisan group of senior elected officials, leaders from the US government including, senators, governors, mayors will also attend the event.
‘Howdy, Modi’ is being organised by the contributions of over 600 organisations 1,000 volunteers and attendees representing all the 50 states of the US.
The spirit and diversity of the Indian community will be showcased by the specially curated cultural programme “WOVEN” at the start of the event, featuring 400 artists, Dawra said.
The NRG gates will open at 6 AM to accommodate and seat 50,000 people by 9 AM, after which cultural programme will begin and continue till 10:30 am, and will be broadcast live in Hindi, English and Spanish languages followed by the address of the two leaders.
The event will end by 12:30 PM, after which Modi will join a private community reception before heading to New York for the UN General Assembly session and other engagements.
