PM Modi on two-day visit to UAE
Abu Dhabi:
The “Alam Modi” event unfolded here on Tuesday night, with loud, cheerful slogans, vibrant traditional dances, a sprinkling of words in Arabic and various Indian languages and an evocation of pride in being Indian.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered the open-air Zayed Sports City Stadium, the Indian diaspora welcomed him with slogans such as “Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi”, “We love Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. “Jai Shree Ram” rang out amid loud music.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received Modi outside the stadium, which was the venue for the high-voltage event “Ahlan Modi” (“Hello Modi” in Arabic), and joined him in community engagement Celebrations, mostly Indians. , as well as a number of Emirati officials and locals.
From Kathak to Garba to Rajasthani folk dance to Haryanvi dance and classical performances by Vande Mataram, the cultural performances mesmerized the audience and later struck a chord with patriotic singers .
There were some creatively dressed people in the audience for the event.
Murli, a technician who has lived in the UAE for eight years, arrived at the event dressed as a king from Tamil Nadu.
Neha Pandey, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for 10 years and runs her own boutique, wears a tricolor outfit.
“Life in the UAE is the best of both worlds, whether it’s the UAE or part of India. I’ve always seen people on TV interacting with the Prime Minister at events, but I haven’t been to any such event in person. This is a big moment for Let’s talk,” Pandey told PTI.
Prime Minister Modi delivered a speech in Hindi and expressed his pride as an Indian in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu, immediately winning loud applause from the audience.
But the loudest response came when Prime Minister Modi said a few words in Arabic to emphasize the connection between the words spoken in India and the Arabic language.
Retired couple Padmanabha Hegde and Asha Hegde, who made Abu Dhabi their home 32 years ago, said it was a moment they would not miss.
Asha Hegde said: “We are Hindus living peacefully in a Muslim country and how many people know how safe and welcoming it is. This event symbolizes Hindu and Muslim unity and of course, watching Modi up close Prime Minister is a pleasure.”
Indian students who attended the event after school said they came to take part in the motivational courses the prime minister often gives to children. “He is a big motivator and it is a joy to listen to him speak like a Ted Talk,” said Harshit Pradhan, a Grade 11 student from DPS Dubai.
After his speech, the prime minister rode around the stadium in a powerful car, waving to the crowd as excited spectators took selfies and chanted “Modi-Modi”. The prestigious event was scaled back on Monday as heavy rain and lightning hit across the UAE, causing traffic jams and waterlogging. However, the weather did not hamper the lively celebrations on Tuesday as the weather was clear and sunny.
Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit, his seventh to the country and third in the past eight months. He will inaugurate the largest Hindu temple here on Wednesday.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
