This is what
NY Times wrote : Narendra Modi, the
prime minister of India, sold himself on Sunday as a onetime tea vendor who
wanted to lift India to glory by cleaning up the country, clearing the way for
business and preparing its young citizens to be the work force of an aging
world. His speech at Madison Square Garden telegraphed a wish list on the eve
of his first meeting with President Obama, while also deftly rallying an
influential diaspora to his side. Mr. Modi addressed a wildly enthusiastic
audience that was largely made up of Indian-Americans, and played skillfully to
their sentiments. He reminded the crowd of the taunts they had heard for years
that India was a land of snake charmers, and he offered lavish praise for their
success in the United States.
They wore his
face on their chests, waved it on posters, chanted his name and quoted his
slogans, 19,000 fans drawn to a single star. His image stared down from the big
screen at Madison Square Garden and emerged on canvas in a live speed-painting
onstage. And when the man himself emerged, the capacity crowd on Sunday in New
York’s most storied arena roared as one, as if all the Knicks, all the Rangers,
Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen had suddenly materialized.
America has
seen the future of its relationship with India, and Narendra Modi is the name
of the game. Prime Minister Modi charmed a capacity crowd at New York’s iconic
Madison Square Garden on Sunday, reaching out to non-resident Indians with
welcome announcements on the visa regime, while exhorting them to join the
mission of realising his dream of India.
And this is
what the famous ‘Time’ magazine had to say
: Until this weekend, India’s
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had one thing in common with Eric Prydz, the
Swedish DJ and electronic dance music star known for his elaborate concerts.
Prydz’s shows are audiovisual extravaganzas complete with pulsating lasers,
animations and three-dimensional holograms, including one of the man himself.
Modi, too, has experience with digital doppelgängers: during the Indian
national election in which his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eventually won a
large majority, the 64-year-old used the latest in high-tech wizardry to deploy
holograms of himself at simultaneous rallies around the country.
Now, Prydz and the Prime Minister have two things in common. On
Sunday morning, hours after the Swedish DJ finished playing an extended set at
New York City’s Madison Square Garden, lines began forming along 31st Street
and up 7th Avenue for the next big act at the venue: a “community reception”
for Modi, who like Prydz, made his debut at the famed arena this weekend.
Nakul is a Tamil film actor and playback singer who debuted in Boys. At Incheon on 10th day of 17th Asian Games, Tennis star Sania Mirza teamed up with Saketh Myneni to clinch the gold in mixed double while Seema Punia also brought glory with her gold—winning act as India maintained the ninth position in the overall standings. Wrestler Bajrang and the men’s tennis combination of Sanam Singh and Myneni picked up silver medals on yet another productive day for the Indian contingent. Athletes OP Jaisha (women’s 1500m) and Naveen Kumar (men’s 3000m steeplechase) and wrestler Narsingh Pancham Yadav (74kg) also contributed to the medal collection by picking up bronze medals. On the track and field, it was Seema’s day as she clinched the coveted gold medal, making amends for her non—participation in the last two Games in Guangzhou and Doha. Bajrang (61kg) was also a star performer as he scripted remarkable come—from—behind victories to reach the final where he ultimately succumbed to Massoud Mahmoud of Iran in a closely—contested bout. The wrestlers continued to provide the much—needed boost to India’s medal collection as Narsingh Yadav also claimed a bronze in the men’s 74kg freestyle event. With the addition of seven medals today, India maintained their ninth position with a total of haul of 42 —— six gold, seven silver and 29 bronze. China maintained their supremacy with a tally of 238 (112—72—54) followed by hosts South Korea 146 and Japan 132. India’s shooters did make it to Incheon but the administrators made it as hard as possible for them regardless. The shooters had to fly half-way around the world and back again because their accreditation cards were not ready. They also had to fend for themselves once they reached South Korea. When customs confiscated Shweta Chaudhry’s gun because the registration number on it didn’t match the form, there was no team manager to sort out the situation. Chaudhry had to run around to arrange a replacement gun just so she could compete on the very first day of the Games. Despite all this, India’s shooters won nine medals, one more than they managed at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. The incremental increase takes on a much brighter hue when seen through the prism of what came before. At Hyderabad in CLT20, Dolphins are struggling after the brutal assault of KKR – the 18th over of Kyle Abbot who bowled fast and furious symbolised KKR dominance – the 3rd ball was a square drive for 4 that brought Pandey his 50 off mere 39 balls; the next was a 6 over long on; the 5th a full toss was lifted off the front foot for a huge six and last one nicely between backward point and thirdman for a four. The 3rd wicket stand between Manish Pandey and Uthappa was worth 153 as KKR set 188 as target. Manish Pandey touted as the first Indian to score a century in the IPL dazzled today ending up 76 n.o of 47 while Robin Uthappa too remained unbeaten making 85 off 55.
Manish Pandey and Naukul (inset)
To me Manish Pandey has some
resemblance to Nakul who catapulted to unexpected publicity after ‘adra adra
nakka mukka’ in Kadhalil Vizhunthen.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
29th Sept. 2014.
