Long Standing Ovation For PM Narendra Modi After Speaking At US Congress In Washington
Modi scripted history on Thursday night as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the U.S. Congress twice.
After an hour-long address to the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi evoked multiple standing ovations, applause and cheers from American lawmakers and even chants of 'Modi, Modi, Modi' from the Indian diaspora sitting in the grand House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington DC on Thursday. Modi scripted history on Thursday night as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the US Congress twice. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016, reported PTI.
PM Modi spoke about a variety of issues ranging from the economy to climate action. After his speech, U.S. Congress Members surrounded PM Modi for selfies and more. The prime minister arrived in the House Chamber to a rousing reception from the lawmakers, members of the Indian-American community who sat in the visitor galleries chanted ‘Modi, Modi’ as he walked in.
On several occasions, the diaspora broke into chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ during the address. Some of the members of the Indian-American community were dressed in traditional Indian attire.
In his address, Modi said that there are millions in the US who have roots back in India, "Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history", Modi was quoted by PTI. Modi was referring to Kamala Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and woman to be elected to the post of Vice President. Harris’ mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai.
Some aspects of Modi’s address also elicited light-hearted laughter from the lawmakers, with one saying, "In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee”.
Modi’s address ended with a prolonged standing ovation and applause from the lawmakers and members of the Indian-American community. As Modi walked to exit the chamber, several lawmakers crowded around him, shaking his hand, congratulating him and getting his autograph on special copies of his speech that were circulated to the attendees. Members of the community shouted 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.
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