Arriving at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, he stepped out of his vehicle and greeted at least 500 people, waiting for him with drummers and dancers, and waved to them. Secret Service agents ran around him, trying to set up a cordon as the crowds surged and Modi tried to get closer to it.
Several layers of security were deployed anticipating his impromptu walk around. The welcoming crowd was penned in behind fences after a security scan. Bomb-sniffing dogs went over the area.
Another supporter, Vikram Amin, said he was there to “hail” Modi as he was trying to accomplish for all of India what he accomplished for India.
Later, he met informally members of the Indian community from the New York and Chicago areas.
Vasudev Patel, a physician from Atlanta who met Modi, said some of those meeting him offered to help him implement his programs with their expertise. Modi, he said, welcomed their offers and asked the Indian community in the US to contribute to India’s development efforts. (IANS)