‘Ahlan Modi’ mega event in UAE set to surpass Madison Square Garden gathering

• The enthusiasm spans not only the 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UAE but also extends to Bahrain and other Gulf countries

• The stadium, with a capacity of nearly 50,000, is expected to witness a significant turnout, prompting ongoing discussions with administrators to maximize seating

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up for a monumental interaction with the Indian diaspora during his upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month. Scheduled for February 13 at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium, the event, aptly named ‘Ahlan Modi’ or ‘Hello Modi’, is poised to outshine his previous diaspora engagements, including the iconic Madison Square Garden event in September 2014.

Organizers revealed to Business Standard that registrations for the event, initiated on January 6, have already reached a staggering 20,000 participants. The enthusiasm spans not only the 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UAE but also extends to Bahrain and other Gulf countries. The stadium, with a capacity of nearly 50,000, is expected to witness a significant turnout, prompting ongoing discussions with administrators to maximize seating.

A key member of the organizing team, choosing to remain anonymous, emphasized the aim to surpass the scale of Modi’s notable diaspora address at London’s Wembley Stadium in November 2015. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader associated with the event expressed optimism that ‘Ahlan Modi’ would be comparable to the London gathering.

The frequent visits by Modi to the UAE have not only strengthened bilateral ties but also transformed the Indian diaspora, evolving beyond its initial composition of primarily blue-collar workers, as highlighted by the organizers in their official statement

In addition to addressing the diaspora, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14. This visit marks his seventh to the UAE since 2015, reinforcing bilateral relations. Notably, the July 2023 visit resulted in an agreement to establish a campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi), with its first master’s program set to launch this month.

The organizing committee, consisting of 350 community leaders, convened on January 3 in Abu Dhabi to discuss the event. The committee established numerous volunteer committees in preparation for the grand occasion. The frequent visits by Modi to the UAE have not only strengthened bilateral ties but also transformed the Indian diaspora, evolving beyond its initial composition of primarily blue-collar workers, as highlighted by the organizers in their official statement.

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