Cultural Shows, Celebrities & Packed Crowd of Nearly 14,000: PM Modi’s US Diaspora Event to Celebrate Diversity

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York, is ready for a Sunday blockbuster in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s big diaspora event. (PTI)

The organisers say the event ‘Modi&US’, to be held at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, is a celebration of India and the United States and the cultural ethos Indians carry around the globe

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York, is ready for a Sunday blockbuster in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s big diaspora event, ‘Modi&US’, with a packed crowd of nearly 14,000 people expected.

The organisers say ‘Modi&US’ is a celebration of India and the United States and the cultural ethos Indians carry around the globe — “an ethos which views the world as one family, diversity a strength, and the wellbeing of all people and the planet an inspiration for building a better world together” — organiser Jagdish Sehwani told CNN-News18 as we got an exclusive peek inside the venue on Friday.

The Big Numbers

A total of 13,200 attendees will be representing India’s religious, linguistic and cultural diversity, along with 500+ Welcome Partners, 500 artists and performers, 350 volunteers, over 150 media professionals, more than 85 media outlets, and 40+ US states being represented.

The event will showcase “Echoes of India: A Journey of Art and Tradition”, said Suhag Shukla, another key organiser.

“Modi&US will feature cultural extravaganzas on two stages — the main stage and the outer stage. On the mainstage will be Echoes of India – A Journey Through Art and Tradition, a cultural extravaganza showcasing 382 nationally and internationally known artists, including Grammy award nominee Chandrika Tandon, STAR Voice of India winner and superstar Aishwarya Majumdar, Instagram’s Dancing Dad Ricky Pond, and singing sensation Rex DSouuza, in a seamless experience of India’s cultural diversity,” Shukla told CNN-News18.

The outer stage will be graced with unique performances by 117 artists, impressing and entertaining attendees as they enter the coliseum. Over 30 classical, folk, modern and fusion performances will pay homage to the rich and diverse cultures of India.

The programme will also feature surprise celebrity appearances that will add an unexpected touch of star power.

About Indian-Americans

The Indian diaspora in the US numbers over 5.1 million, with 70 per cent holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, far surpassing the US national average of 36 per cent. Indian Americans contribute to 5-6 per cent of US taxes despite representing just 1.5 per cent of the population.

Indian-origin scientists co-authored 13 per cent of US scientific publications and received 11 per cent of NIH grants in 2023. Indian movies grossed over $340 million in North America from 2015 to 2023, with 96 films crossing the $1 million mark.

Indian-American households contributed over $1.5 billion to US philanthropy in 2023. Indian cuisine has been widely appreciated, with 6,000 restaurants across the US, representing 3 per cent of the Michelin Guide listings.

Over 150 Indian-origin Americans serve in senior public service positions across government agencies.

The Organisers

The Indo American Community of USA (IACU) believes in fostering understanding of and unity within the Indian-American community through cultural events and public programmes, while also enhancing the well-being of under-served populations in India and around the world by supporting educational and vocational programmes, health initiatives, and disaster relief.

IACU is the east coast chapter of the Indo American Community of West Coast USA (IACWC) and the sponsor for the Modi&US community gathering.

IACWC had sponsored the prime minister in September 2015 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, where over 18,000 members of the Indian American diaspora welcomed Modi.