Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Siddharth Nath Singh on Sunday termed the Madison Square Ground event as unprecedented, and described it as yet another example of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity has extended among Indian expatriates as well to those who would like to hear him from close quarters.
"It is unprecedented. We haven't seen it before in any country and it goes to show how India is being perceived, and the leadership of India is being perceived under Narendra Modi, so this is amazing," the BJP leader told ANI here.
"Those who have been living here as Indian origin people, may be they are American citizen now, but their hearts have been with India. What we saw in India of the popularity of Narendra Modi and the way he has been given the mandate. The same popularity we are seeing here," he said.
"I think all Indians who are here are just proud; because they are proud they want to come and see the Indian Prime Minister and hear him out. So this is fantastic," he added.
Referring to Prime Minister yesterday's visit at the Central Park, Singh said, "His visit yesterday at the Central Park, there was about fifty-sixty thousand people, it was phenomenal. Let me put to rest also that he has spoken in English. So I don't think our Oxford and Cambridge going politicians will have any complaint with him."
Dispelling the fact that this event was not less of action, the BJP leader added, "No NRI would waste their money. It goes without saying they are not wasting their money, they want to cheer their leader who has given India pride. And therefore they all are here. It is not just hullabullah. There is action on the ground which is happening."
"And by the time Narendra Modi leaves Washington, you will see the action and I think with the Indian community here and also the American businessman here are going to invest into India. Because this visit is no more government to government. But this visit is also G2B that is government to business people," he further added.
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The build-up to visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at Madison Square Garden on Sunday has reached its crescendo, with Indian American residents here expressing their joy and excitement over the prospect of hearing him live.
All those queuing up at the historic venue said that they don't want to miss what they called this once in a life time opportunity.
Meanwhile, various cultural and colourful extravaganza has already started at the venue.
Indian Americans have been queuing up to buy the tickets for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at Madison Square Garden, with organizers saying that due to the tremendous demand for tickets they had to restrict almost 450 associations that became 'welcoming partners'.
In his departure statement while heading towards U.S., Prime Minister Modi had said, "I keenly await the opportunity to meet the Indian American community at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Their success in diverse fields, their contribution to the United States, their abiding bonds with India, and their role as a vibrant bridge between the two largest democracies is a source of pride for us. They serve as a window to our heritage, progress and potential."
Madison Square Garden is a historic and technologically advanced venue which can accommodate almost 20,000 people.
It is well known as the venue where Beatles' founder John Lennon played his last concert. And boxing legend Muhammad Ali fought his first match.
The historic Times Square arena would also be able to witness the Prime Minister speech live.
