Modi rocks at Madison Square ... more gold at Incheon and Manish Pandey too hits..

There are some cynics who said - Modi was preaching to the converted in New York, and getting an already-eager crowd to chant "Modi, Modi" was hardly something to crow about. But when was the last time you saw an Indian Prime Minister drive an audience to frenzy in New York or even New Delhi? Did the previous PM even draw a polite handclap when he spoke anywhere ! As Modi rocked the big apple enthralling Madison Square Garden ….

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 10^th day of 17^th 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 18^th over of Kyle Abbot who bowled fast and furious symbolised KKR dominance – the 3^rd 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 5^th 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 3^rd 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

29^th Sept. 2014.