It’s very typical for educated people from Bihar to migrate to another city in search of a better life and my family was no different. In 2003, my mama (Uncle) decided to move to Surat to take up a job with a big telecom firm and came along my first visit to Surat in 2005. Having lived in tier-2 cities most of my life, Surat was a surprise at many levels and infrastructure and women safety were my top two take away memories from my visit. That is when I first learned the name of Narendra Damodardas Modi (outside of GK books) where I saw his work firsthand. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would join as a campaign volunteer in the 2019 elections in my own small capacity.
I moved to Denver, USA about a decade ago but Narendra Modi was always on my radar to watch for. The country took a leap of faith in 2014 and chose him as the PM of India. Since then, we have witnessed our country grow by leaps & bounds during his first tenure. I was witnessing change firsthand with every visit to India and my family was more than content with rapid positive changes that they were seeing around them. Right after demonetization, during my India visit, I recall a chat with a vegetable vendor who had PayTM sign on his cart; he said, “Madam, main 32 saal ka hoon aur pehli baar life mein kuchh badlav dekh raha hoon. Ye chhoti hi sahi lekin bahut badi ummeed hai” (Madam, I am 32 years old and for the first time I am seeing a small, yet positive change that makes me more than hopeful for my future). Modi Ji’s vision for 130 crore Indians was becoming a ground reality.
Denver doesn’t have a large Indian population but that did not deter our might to fight. We started prodding likeminded people in the beginning of 2019 to form a group of strong-willed people ready to join Modi Ji. From social media activities to making phone calls in the constituencies of our choice, trying to mobilize people to go out to vote and keep in mind all the programs & schemes ran by Narendra Modi that impacted their lives. We poured our hearts into the campaign. Elections took place and we emerged victoriously. Oh! what a sweet victory it was. But Modi Ji always told us to remain grounded and his words were that clear mandate means even more responsibility so there must not be any wastage of time in celebrations; therefore, most volunteers like myself were sort of snatched off the opportunity to scream the victory roar.
At the beginning of August 2019, I learned about the Howdy, Modi event, immediately picked up the phone and called some of my close friends that worked together for the 2019 election and within 72 hours, our itinerary was set. We were had planned to fly out to Houston on the morning of September 21st, attend the event on 22nd and then home on the 23rd. None of us could sleep properly the night before the departure date. I left home at 6:15 AM, reached Denver International Airport by 7 AM to catch the 9 AM flight. Within 20 mins, other friends were there too, and we all embarked on the journey to see the man from whom we drew our inspiration and energy. The feeling was inexpressible! Boarded the flight and surprisingly noticed “Howdy” written on the plane wing and we cheered & screeched yet again! 😊
We touched down at Houston airport on time, got our car rental and hit the road. Both the roadsides were permeated with billboards welcoming our PM! Our hearts were filled with pride because we had never seen such a sight in a foreign land. We checked into our hotel and started getting ready for the biggest moment of our lives. We were able to secure an invitation to meet with the PM! We got ready, hopped in the rental and drove to the hotel where this event was organized. We could see the security corridor from a mile away. Lines of police cars lined up to the hotel, K-9 squad, bomb squad sniffed & vetted us before letting us in, then another round of body scans, X-rays and not to mention the PM’s Special Protection Group along with US Secret Services all over. Yes, you could easily spot the ones that wanted to be spotted, rest I bet were all in disguise in all forms. Oh, I did see a janitor fixing something in his ear.
As the evening approached, people who were invited, started pouring in in the best of their dresses. After all, we all know how much our PM likes to look event appropriate. I saw some unique costume creations that people had carefully and selectively arranged for this event. We started gathering in the hall for high tea, socializing with different groups of people. Met with Kashmiri groups, Sikh groups, pioneers of Ekal Abhiyaan learning about their experiences, how they contribute to society and play a pivotal role in building the US-India bridge. There was so much to learn from them, and I was certainly inspired to do more.
Suddenly, a group of well-dressed men came into the room and started segregating the different groups of people giving us instructions on do’s and don’ts for when we enter the main event room. It was nerve-wracking, indeed! As common people, we hardly ever face such situations after all. As we were lining up in the hall, my hands were getting cold with anxiety, so I started rubbing them anxiously and whispering Gayatri Mantra that I normally do in such situations. We went inside this huge hall with a huge Howdy Modi sign in the background and steps alongside it, so we all started lining ourselves. Then came the same elite group of men with microphones giving us another round of do’s and don’ts; for example, don’t try to grab the PM (of course unless you want to drive across the town in the back of a police car). We all stood tall, adjusting our clothes, sarees, kurta’s, hair and asking each other for appearance confirmations because what if the PM decided to tweet our picture – it would be seen by his 50 million followers! I didn’t want my meme going viral after all.
The moment came when I saw a group of people running towards us virtually encircling someone as they moved, I instantly knew the moment was here. I didn’t want to blink because I wanted to register that moment in my memory for life. I saw this man of average build, wearing a brown high neck suit with a beautiful orange-ish handkerchief placed in his pocket walking towards us with folded hands. My world froze for that moment. He came closer to us, still with folded hands, started thanking each one of us for our hard work in helping bridge the US-India friendship. What did I just hear?! The PM thanked me (us)! I could not utter a word for a moment but then someone started the chant of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and I joined in and that gave my voice back. I said to him, we will stand by him like a rock and will do anything that we need to support him. He raised his folded hands yet again, in gratitude. He spent some time in the room, talking to us; The security group ushered him out of the room, and we all stood there watching him leave. Once he left, we raised Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogan yet again and started walking out of the room in awe…wonderstruck.
The unthinkable had just happened to us!
The next day I woke up at 4 AM, got ready and hit the freeway by 4:45 AM. Soon our car was dragging as it became part of a several miles long beeline trying to enter the NRG Stadium. It took us about 2 hours to reach the NRG parking lot. Managing a crowd of 60K people is a herculean task times two (x2). From the parking lot, we became one of the thousands of people walking, cheering, flashing Modi support t-shirts, unique costumes and memorabilia. Soon, we reached the security checkpoint; once again, body scanners, X-rays and sniffing dogs everywhere. The sun was shining hard and the Houston humidity was not helping either but each of us was deriving energy from the person walking next to or the elders. If they were not complaining, how could I?
We entered the stadium, went to our allotted seats and what a view it was. I was with 50,000 people who loved Modi Ji the same way as I did. The event started with bipartisan leaders lining up on stage to welcome our PM. Rarely does it happen that senators/congressmen from both sides of the aisle come together on a single podium. They had realized the power of this common man and how his determination, conviction to bring change in poor people’s lives would pivot the mindset of the sceptics. Modi Ji, during his speech, made it abundantly clear about his vision with an undiluted focus towards India’s growth. India means trust, India means business and the new India is ready for both. Modi Ji said one line that made many of us emotional – “Mr Trump, in 2017, you introduced me to your family and today, I have the opportunity to introduce you to my family”. Many of us were teary-eyed. The emotional chord was well strung, and the motion was set.
Towards the end of the event, I saw the security team setting up some barricades that looked like a walkway and I knew something more was going to happen. I moved as close to the walkway as I could. The unthinkable happened yet again! Trump and Modi Ji started walking together that triggered waves of people almost flowing in. I braced myself with my video mode on. The victory lap sent craze-waves amongst the crowd. I kept my hand steady on the rails while recording the video, but I kept my eyes glued to Modi Ji because I wanted to see him with my own eyes. I witnessed all of us becoming one – I witnessed history.
I experienced and witnessed the most electrifying energy that I have ever felt, it was once in a lifetime event that has left a lifelong mark on my soul making my resolve to backup this man even stronger. It is my promise to you Modi Ji that I shall not leave any stone unturned in supporting you.
Jai Hind!