Modi Magic takes over the Great White North

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stirred quite the hornet's nest with his visit to the United States. However, I wouldn't say it's unprecedented. With NaMo, he creates his own protocol and he makes his own mark. The leader addressed over 50,000 Indian-Americans in a rousing event that was live-telecast across the globe. As 'Howdy Modi' began at 2 PM on a Sunday, my tiny apartment hosted approximately seven guests- four Indian-Canadians, a Chinese-Canadian, and two French nationals, all nestled together with food and drinks to watch Modi in his glory. The PM's address was our personal little Super Bowl. 
'Howdy Modi' was rife with political significance, and US President was quite unrestricted with his affection for man of the hour. Both leaders walked hand in hand (Move over Putin, there's a new BFF in town) and in their speeches showered the other with word dripping with camaraderie and mutual respect. Setting aside the powerful words spoken by Modi, the whole air of the event seemed like a scorching slap in Pakistan's face. 
In his speech, Modi bid farewell to a number of things, and spoke about the rise of a New India. He talked about bidding farewell to the controversial Article 370, and he dropped the gauntlet on Islamabad as Trump looked on with a smile. NaMo has had enough. He is not playing games anymore. He needs action and he needs it now. 
During a cab ride to the doctor's on Monday, I have the luxury of knowing a Sri Lankan driver. An uninitiated talk on Modi, his work as prime minister and his speech in Houston, by a non-Indian was hint to just how impacting Modi's foreign visits can be. When Modi speaks, the world listens, and listen they did. The New York Times posted an article by Roger Cohen. Titled 'Don't Mess With Modi in Texas', the piece was a sharp-worded summary of the event and from what I read, the writer is an admirer of the Indian Prime Minister.
He concludes his column by writing, "Modi will not turn back from his elimination of Kashmir’s autonomy. That phase of Indian history is over. Trump and Modi are both forceful, media-savvy politicians. But they are not alike. Modi, a self-made man from a poor family, is measured, ascetic, not driven by impulse. Trump was born on third base. He’s erratic, guided by the devouring needs of his ego. I’d bet on Modi to transform India, all of it, including the newly integrated Kashmir region." 
The focus was not only on Modi. The customarily bigoted US President spoke highly of Indian-Americans. 'Howdy Modi' was a display of the political power of the Indian diaspora. Prejudiced presidents will come and go, but the Indian community is here to stay and despite best efforts, growing by the day. Indians re-elected Modi in the general elections this year, and Indian-Americans have always been front about maintaining his image on global stage. It was their attention and support that Trump calculated worth relying upon. The US Prez knows for a fact that the communities influential votes are instrumental in the upcoming 2020 elections. 
'Howdy Modi' also faced many protests, almost all of which failed to grab media attention. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the stadium. They included anti-Hindu-nationalism demonstrators, Kashmiri Muslims, Sikhs for Khalistan, anti-Trump activists, and members of Black Lives Matter. A white care had the words RSS and Hitler written on one side and "Modi is Terrorist Fascist Killer" covering another. Modi effigies raised their heads amidst the crowds as they cried "AZADI". 
Meanwhile, thousands of Indian-Americans gave a deafening welcome to the Indian leader as he arrived hand in hand with the President of the United States.