Cultural Shows, Celebrities & a Packed Crowd of Nearly 14,000
The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York, is set to host a major event this sunday as prime minister Narendra Modi addresses the indian diaspora at ‘Modi&US.’ With an expected attendance of nearly 14,000 people, the event aims to celebrate the cultural connections between india and the United States.
Organizers describe ‘Modi&US’ as a celebration of indian culture and values, promoting a vision of unity and diversity. “This event embodies the ethos of viewing the world as one family, where diversity is a strength, and the well-being of all people inspires us to build a better world together,” said organizer Jagdish Sehwani in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18.
Attendance and Participation
The event will feature around 13,200 attendees representing India’s rich religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity, along with over 500 Welcome Partners, more than 500 artists and performers, 350 volunteers, and over 150 media professionals from 85+ media outlets across 40+ U.S. states.
The program, titled “Echoes of India: A journey of Art and Tradition,” will showcase cultural performances on two stages. The main stage will host a grand display featuring 382 nationally and internationally recognized artists, including Grammy nominee Chandrika Tandon, STAR Voice of india winner aishwarya Majumdar, social media sensation Ricky Pond, and singing star Rex DSouza. The outer stage will feature 117 artists performing a variety of classical, folk, modern, and fusion acts, celebrating India’s diverse cultural heritage. Surprise celebrity appearances are also expected to add an element of excitement.
About the Indian-American Community
The indian diaspora in the U.S. exceeds 5.1 million, with a notable 70% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, far above the national average of 36%. indian Americans contribute 5-6% of U.S. tax revenue while comprising only 1.5% of the population.
Indian-origin scientists contributed to 13% of U.S. scientific publications and secured 11% of NIH grants in 2023. From 2015 to 2023, indian films earned over $340 million in North America, with 96 films exceeding the $1 million mark. Indian-American households contributed over $1.5 billion to U.S. philanthropy in 2023, and indian cuisine is widely celebrated, with 6,000 restaurants in the U.S., representing 3% of the Michelin Guide listings. Furthermore, over 150 Indian-origin Americans hold senior positions in public service across various government agencies.
Organizers Behind the Event
The Indo American Community of USA (IACU) aims to foster unity and understanding within the Indian-American community through cultural events and public programs. They also focus on improving the lives of underserved populations in india and globally by supporting educational initiatives, health programs, and disaster relief efforts. The IACU serves as the east Coast chapter of the Indo American Community of West Coast USA (IACWC) and is the primary sponsor of the Modi&US gathering.
The IACWC previously sponsored Modi during his visit in september 2015 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, where he was warmly welcomed by over 18,000 members of the Indian-American community.