Modi wins hearts of US lawmaker

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only won the hearts of NRIs here but also of nearly 40 top US lawmakers who described his words as "inspirational and visionary".

During his speech at the Madison Square Garden, attended by nearly 40 top lawmakers, the Congressmen immediately connected with Modi when he said he was a small man who reached here "selling tea" but intended to do "big things for small people".

Many described him as "charismatic" figure, while others felt he was "destined to transform the nation".

His views on minimum governance also went quite well with the lawmakers.

"I see now why the people of India elected him," said Congressman Henry C 'Hank' Johnson from Georgia said.

"He has got a vision. He has a plan to make it happen. Prime Minister Modi just swarmed this place like a rockstar," said Congressman Pete Olson from Texas.

Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the current House of Representatives, described Modi's speech as inspirational and visionary.

"Today the Indian-American community was celebrating. I look forward to continuing to work together to reinvigorate the US-India relationship," he said.

"It was great to hear his message of peace and friendship at his address to an energised crowd at New York's renowned Madison Square Garden," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

"Modi's visit marks a significant positive step toward growing the relationship between the US and India, which is a bond based on shared democratic values and a focus on mutual prosperity and security," said Gabbard, who also called on the Prime Minister at his hotel.

The discussion was largely related to her own interest in India.

Gabbard presented to the Prime Minister a Gita, which she said had taken oath when she was sworn in to the US House of Representative.

"Prime Minister Modi's speech at Madison Square Garden was a home-run. He hit all the right themes, highlighted all the right issues, and brought the US-India relationship to a new high," Congresswoman Grace Meng from New York said.

"It was an honour to be on stage at Madison Square Garden, and to be part of this historic and important event. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Modi and his administration to make the bond between India and the US even stronger," Meng said.

Congresswoman Cynthia Lumins from Wyoming, who visited Gujarat last year to meet Modi when he was the chief minister, described Modi as a transformational figure for India.

"I have very few Indian-American constituents, but I came from Wyoming for this event because I am confident that he is a potentially transformative figure for the Indian economy," she said.

"The speech he gave today punctuated that, the fact that he talked about individuals and the ability that they have to do about communities for the good if the country," she said, adding that lawmakers were highly impressed when Modi said that he was a small person and wants to do small things for them.

"He is a person like me who does not see governance as the answer, he sees government getting out of the way and playing a supporting role rather than a command and control role in transforming the country. I as a Republican believe in similar things as well," Lumins said.