NEW YORK: The Indian diaspora has been gearing up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the United States, during which he will also lead International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters.
The Indian diaspora expressed pride in the fact that today, yoga is being recognised on the world stage.
Prime Minister is visiting the United States on the invitation of President Joe Biden from June 20-24.
PM Modi will lead a 9th edition of International Yoga Day on June 21 at the United Nations headquarters in New York during his official state visit to the United States.
Ashish Bhatia, an Indian-origin man, who has resided in the US for the last 15 years said that it is very good that PM Modi is coming to the US.
“We have been living in the US for 15 years. It is very good. PM Modi, during his tenure, has put India on the world map and has also made ‘yoga’ famous,” Ashish Bhatia told ANI at Times Square.
Anu Bhatia, another Indian-origin lady said that the world has started to know about ‘yoga’ ever since PM Modi promoted it to the world stage.
“We follow yoga very deeply. Especially, after Modi ji became the Prime Minister of India, people in the US also started knowing about yoga. We wish that ‘Modi Sarkar’ comes every time,” she said.
The children Trisha and Hriday Bhatia also expressed their excitement ahead of PM Modi’s visit.
“I have come from India to visit the US. I like PM Modi very much, especially the way he has promoted yoga. Har baar Modi Sarkaar (Modi government every time),” Trisha Bhatia said.
“My name is Hriday Bhatia. I love US and India, and I am so excited for Prime Minister Modi to come to America,” Hriday Bhatia, another Indian-origin child at Times Square told ANI.
The International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21.
The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India.
In his 2014 UN address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the date of June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.
After the yoga day celebration in New York, PM Modi will then travel to Washington D.C., where he will receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22, and meet President Biden to continue their high-level dialogue.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a State Dinner in honour of the Prime Minister the same evening, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
PM Modi will at the invitation of US Congressional Leaders, including Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Speaker of the Senate Charles Schumer, address a Joint Sitting of the US Congress on June 22.
On June 23, the prime minister will be jointly hosted at a luncheon by US Vice President Kamala Harris and State Secretary Antony Bilnken.
In addition to official engagements, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have several curated interactions with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian Diaspora. (ANI)