Howdy Modi: PM Modi addresses mega rally in Houston
On September 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the mega "Howdy, Modi" event at the NRG stadium in Houston, Texas, in the presence of US President Donald Trump. As many as 50,000 Indian-Americans were present at the much-anticipated rally. The event also marked the presence of prominent NRIs and many US lawmakers. Notably, PM Modi arrived in US yesterday for a week-long trip.
To note, the coming together of PM Modi and President Trump at the event will turn out to be a win-win situation for both the leaders. It might relieve PM Modi, as many US lawmakers have been critical of New Delhi's Kashmir move. Further, it could help boost President Trump's election campaign, as PM Modi openly supported him in front of the Indian diaspora.
Addressing the huge crowd, PM Modi said, "This atmosphere is unprecedented. We are witnessing history in making here." "This program's name is Howdy Modi, but Modi alone is nothing. I am a simple man who works on orders of 130 crore people. When you ask me Howdy Modi, I say everything is fine in India," he added in various Indian languages.
Referring to his party's second consecutive win in Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said, "First time in 60 years has it happened that a majority government came back to power in second-term with more vote share." He also talked about first-time voters and women voters.
Further, highlighting his government's achievements, PM Modi said, "Today, rural sanitation is at 99%. Cooking gas connections used to be 55% - within 5 years, we have brought it to 95%." "In just 5 years, we've given gas connections to 15 crore people. In five years, rural road connectivity has been brought to 97%. Almost 100% Indian families are connected to banking," he added.
"As much importance as we have given to welfare, we have also given to 'farewell'. This time, when India celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary (on October 2), it will bid farewell to open defecation," said PM Modi.
Speaking about the contentious scrapping of Article 370, PM Modi said, "India bid farewell to the 70-year-old law which had deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from the benefits of development. It was being used by separatists and terrorists." Further, in a veiled attack to neighboring Pakistan, he said, "Whether it is 9/11 or 26/11, where are the conspirators found?"
"What India is doing back home has troubled some people who can't even manage their own country. They have made hatred toward India the centre of their propaganda. They support terror and harbor terrorists. Not only you, the whole world knows who these people are."
Last but not the least, PM Modi said, "Now, India has decided to become a $5 trillion economy. Exports and investments are our focus. We are going to spend $1.3 trillion on infrastructure." "India's growth rate has averaged 7.3% in the last five years. This has never happened before. For the first time, there is low inflation, high growth," he concluded.
