* Several people from Jammu at USA hails changing face of J&K *
Vijay Gupta
Washington: The three day state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States was a historic one which further strengthened the relations between the two countries.
In his goodbye speech to the Indian-American community at the end of his three-day visit to the US at Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, Prime Minister Modi talked about the growing closeness of India and United States in spheres of economy and strategic interests and role of Indian diaspora in the United States.
PM Modi’s speech focused on the growing partnership between the two countries – India and the US
Journalist Vijay Gupta also attended the event and talked to several members of the India diaspora which include several persons from Jammu and Kashmir who attended the special speech of PM Modi.
It was a free flow of exchange of views in Dogri and talk about the changing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India, giving a feeling that we are in the city of Jammu.
Journalist Vijay Gupta had earlier also attended the press conference of PM Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in White House.
Here are the excerpts of the views expressed by members of the diaspora :
Shrivastva Menon, a Software Engineer said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained the policies and work being done during his speech. Before becoming PM Modi has visited the US as an ordinary person, today, he has been welcomed in the White House. I work in the IT sector in the United State and the way Modi has received the attention of the US and the welcome that is tremendous.
Rohit Suri from Bakshi nagar area Jammu. I have been here for the last 22 years and think the situation has improved in Jammu and Kashmir after the scrapping of Article 370. It is because PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that Article 370 which granted special status to J&K could be revoked. Now people of J&K especially Jammu are feeling themselves as part of the country. We are proud of the achievements of PM Modi.
Rashpal Dillion from Indiana (USA) & originally from Gurdaspur (Punjab): Definitely we feel proud about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and how he was welcomed in the United States. I have been a citizen of the US for the last 20 years and we are respected here in the US when we say we belong to India. The visit of Modi will boost the business relations and further strengthen the relations between two countries.
Sidharth Mahant, from Indiana and originally from Haryana: I feel proud, I am among the lucky in crores who saw Modi closely and his speech was quite inspiring. There was a lot of enthusiasm among the people to hear the speech. The Indian diaspora is elated to see him closely and hear his golden words.
Shruti Agarwal, a research scholar: As you said that you are from Young Bites, I feel Modi has done a great work for the youth. H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself. It is a big relief to Indian professionals. Modi has specially established collaboration between research institutes which will greatly help the students like me. Modi really opened the platform for young Indians. India is developing at a fast pace. We are happy with the work of the present government in India, especially work done in digitization.
Dr. Nandani Tandon, from Silicon valley, California: Development of India is being done great at greater pace. As Modi visited America it will further deepen relations between two countries. Both India and the US will develop together. When 1.4 billion people of India and 360 million people of the US will work together, it will transform the world.
Dr. Rajesh Gupta in the US for 30 years, originally belonging to Pratapgarh area of Old City Jammu: I feel proud. Modi is a blessing for India. We came here from New York specially to hear Modi ji. I Firmly believe that in the next few years you could hear chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ in White House”. Indians are rocking the world.
Seema Gupta originally from Kishtwar: I was born in Kishtwar and feel PM Modi as ‘Avatar’ who has descended for the welfare of the whole world and India. The Indian community feels proud about the charisma and positive energy of Modi. His personality is great. We had never thought that Article 370 could be removed. It was only because of Modi that Jammu and Kashmir is marching ahead in development.
Jasmine who has been living in the USA for 16 years, originally from Kutch, Gujarat: No PM from any country of the world has received such a welcome as received by PM Narendra Modi. I think Modi has explained everything in his speech. Despite living in the US our heart still beats for India. We are today on top of the world.
Acharya Krishna Kumar Pandey, founder president of Hindu temples in Austin & California: I have been in the US for the last 20 years and I have never seen such an event. India is changing under Modi. He is the incarnation of great Rishi and under his able leadership, India will achieve greater heights in development.
Archana Panda, Silicon Valley California: Modi has so much positive energy and we feel proud that he is the PM of India is full of positive energy. No PM has received such a welcome as being accorded to Narendra Modi. Indians have a lot of potential. I have lived in J&K during my childhood as my father was serving in the Indian Army and I have seen the worst conditions in those days. But today J & K is on the path of development and it is because of the leadership qualities of PM Modi.
