A hero’s welcome at New York’s Madison Square; what awaits PM Modi in Sydney?
Mumbai: He walked in like a celebrity. He waved like a seasoned politician. He definitely spoke like one of them.
That’s precisely what happened when Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked up to the podium and addressed a gathering of over 18,000 people in New York.
In Sydney, the land ‘Down Under’, Modi is expected to entice the diasporic community, once again.
From a man who has debunked political theories, rewritten rule-books of governance and given diplomacy a whole new meaning, it is not inappropriate to say that he is the man of the moment.
Preparations underway for PM Modi’s speech at AllPhones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo: Facebook)
Sydney’s Allphones Arena is all geared up to welcome Modi on November 17. The 21,000-seat venue has been in news ever since the PM made headlines with his speech at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
The speech was a huge success, with millions watching it on television. Travelling all the way from Melbourne, 26-year-old Pallavi Pathak, a nurse by profession dubbed Modi as the Oprah Winfrey of politics.
“I live in Melbourne, but will be travelling to Sydney to listen to PM Modi. There is so much buzz around the city. The last time I remember this craziness was when Oprah was in Australia,” she said.
She would be travelling in the special train being run to ferry Indians from Melbourne for the diaspora event. On the menu, of course is some Gujarati cuisine.
The venue has a 21,000-seat capacity. (Photo: Facebook)
With literally a fan following of millions, he has transcended boundaries, which has definitely hit the membership of the ‘Modi-hate club’, atleast overseas.
Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) convenor Sanjay Patel, who is one of the organisers of the event, said that no Indian leader has ever generated so much interest in Australia.
“Today, we are organising an event in Harris Park, often called as ‘Little India’. The event is a run-up to tomorrow’s grand show. There are Namo tattoos, Namo henna and Namo sweets everywhere. Over 2,000 people are expected to attend the event. Never has an Indian leader garnered such attention.”
With the city almost wearing a festive look, the Indian diaspora is all geared up to give him a breather in between his otherwise-busy diplomatic engagements.
“I am excited and looking forward for Mr Modi's visit. Eagerly waiting to listen to what he has to say about strengthening bilateral relations between India and Australia,” said Saqib Husain, an Indian-origin lawyer in Sydney.
Sydney, otherwise known for its 3 Bs – beer, beaches, and barbeques has a ‘M’ coming its way. In US, he got a hero’s welcome, let us see what different Sydney has in the offering.
After the Sydney event, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Canberra, where he will hold bilateral talks with Australian PM Tony Abbott and also address the special joint sitting of the Australian Parliament on November 18.
PM Narendra Modi unveils Mahatma Gandhi's Statue in Brisbane (Australia) pic.twitter.com/sZmpquzXWq
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 16, 2014Watch: Narendra Modi's Madison Square Garden speechun-Supported Media