Rock Star

India's Modi Greeted as Hero in New York

As 19,000 pack Madison Square Garden.

About 19,000 people gave a hero's welcome to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he appeared Sunday in Madison Square Garden. The capacity crowd wore the politician's face on their chests, waved posters, chanted his name, and quoted his slogans when his face appeared on a giant screen, then erupted in roars of approval as he emerged onstage. The Indian diaspora that had traveled to New York City from around the country as well as Canada gathered to see Modi speak on his frist trip to the United States since he was elected in May. The U.S. tour has showcased Modi as a diplomat and world leader, but he was all celebrity at the Garden. The man who once was put on a U.S. visa ban following sectarian violence in India's Gujarat state in 2002 said the 21st Century will be India's century.