'Howdy, Modi?' More Than 50,000 People Register For Event & Everything Else You Need To Know
50,000 Indian-Americans are due to pack into a Houston stadium Sunday for a rally with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, joined by U.S. President Donald Trump
Reuters
The 'Howdy, Modi!' event is due to kick off in the morning with a 90-minute cultural program featuring 400 costumed dancers, reports Reuters.
Ever since word of the event in Houston started doing the rounds, people have been frantically looking for the meaning of 'Howdy'.
For those unaware, the term "howdy" is a commonly used informal and friendly greeting used in Texas and other southwestern states of the US which means "How do you do?"
A member of the Sikh community said Modi's presence in the United States is a matter of pride for the whole Indian-American community.
#WATCH Houston: A member of Sikh delegation which met PM Modi says "Memorandum was that we want Sikh religion should be considered a separate religion.We're with Modi ji. He's our tiger,he's a man who we call Iron Man.We're standing with him like Sikhs have always stood for India pic.twitter.com/VfIEkJofnv
¡ª ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2019
It will not be the first time Modi, who heads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has addressed a large crowd in the United States, which is home to about 4 million Indian-Americans including about 300,000 in Houston and nearby Dallas, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census data.
The reason WHY country is proud of him!
¡ª Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) September 22, 2019
Our culture & good upbringing only will make anyone act so spontaneously, @narendramodi Ji always lead us with examples.
He just not preach us on #SwachhBharat, but he's committed to practice #SwachhataHiSeva.#HowdyMody#ModiInUSA pic.twitter.com/fqA5V5YvWb
"It would be quite a historic meeting with Prime Minister Modi and President Trump jointly addressing over 50,000 Indian-Americans, mainly US citizens," India's Ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said.
As per the schedule released by the White House on late Saturday night, Trump will spend 100 minutes at the NRG Stadium. While the duration of his speech is not yet known, it is believed his remarks could last as long as 30 minutes. He is also expected to be present in the audience during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address.
"By coming to Houston and attending the "Howdy, Modi!" event, he (Trump) has won the hearts of Indian-Americans. He will earn more votes from Indian Americans in the 2020 presidential elections," eminent Indian-American community leader from Indiana Bharat Barai told PTI in an interview.
Excitement in People!! large numbers from various community to meet Prime Minister @narendramodi ji in #Houston. #HowdyModi pic.twitter.com/XEZb1vRYwp
¡ª Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) September 22, 2019
Barai, a close friend of the Indian prime minister, had organised Modi's historic Madison Square Garden event in New York in 2014.
From Ohio, Trump will fly to New York to attend the annual session of the UN General Assembly.
The iconic place where the history will be created today.
¡ª Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) September 22, 2019
Witness the moment of nation's pride with PM @narendramodi ji. #HowdyModi pic.twitter.com/T0aV745P5R
On Monday he is scheduled to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. A day later, Trump would hold a formal bilateral dialogue with Modi in New York.
TIF spokesperson Gitesh Desai said that more than 100 buses are being provided to ferry the participants. Ahead of PM Modi's arrival on Saturday, a car rally was also organised in Houston on Friday.
The 'Howdy, Modi' is likely to end at 11:30 pm (India time) after which PM Modi will join a private community reception.
