From Times Square to Community Centers: Indian Americans Honor Modi On His 75th Birthday

The digital billboard screens in Times Square flickered with familiar images on September 17—the face of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, smiling beneath text celebrating his 75th birthday. Thousands of miles from New Delhi, many Indian Americans across the United States marked this milestone in ways both grand and intimate, reflecting the deep connection between the diaspora and their homeland’s leader. From the bustling streets of New York to community centers in California, Indian Americans particularly Hindu Americans supportive of the BJP, found creative ways to honor a leader they view as transformative for both India and their own standing in the global community.

The scale of Modi’s influence on the Indian diaspora became evident in the diverse ways communities chose to celebrate. New Yorkers walking around the city encountered the semi-smiling face of the far-right, ethnonationalist Prime Minister Modi on LinkNYC kiosk screens and elevator monitors, which was accompanied along with text celebrating Modi’s 75th birthday, according to reports from Hell Gate NYC.

While these public displays sparked some controversy, they represented just one facet of a broader celebration that took place in temples, community centers, and homes across America. The birthday commemoration came just days before Modi’s scheduled address to the diaspora community in New York on September 22, for which more than 24,000 Indian-Americans have registered to attend a massive community event in New York, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the diaspora on September 22.

Relief From Tense Bilateral Relations 

Prime Minister Modi received a call from President Trump, saying he had a “wonderful” phone call with Modi, according to The Federal. This high-level diplomatic recognition was particularly meaningful to Indian Americans who have long advocated for stronger U.S.-India relations, but have lately been perturbed by the Trump administration’s trade policies and it’s restrictive immigration measures.

Many community leaders view Modi’s global stature as enhancing their own political influence and business opportunities.

For many in the diaspora, such international recognition validates their own success stories and reinforces their pride in their Indian heritage. The convergence of Trump’s call and the massive registration for Modi’s upcoming New York event illustrates the political significance Indian Americans have gained in U.S. domestic politics.

True to Indian tradition, many community celebrations focused not on personal fanfare but on service. Indian American community centers across major cities organized seva (service) activities, health camps, and cultural programs. In temples from California to New Jersey, special prayers were offered, while cultural organizations hosted events that celebrated not just Modi’s birthday but also Indian achievements in America.

The celebrations also served as a bridge between generations within the diaspora. Older Indian Americans, many of whom immigrated during earlier decades, shared stories of India’s transformation with younger generations who have only known India as an ascending global power.

Digital Diaspora Joins the Celebration

Social media became a powerful platform for birthday wishes, with Indian Americans sharing messages, photos, and videos celebrating Modi’s impact. The digital celebration included everything from professionally produced video tributes to simple family photos taken at local Indian restaurants decorated for the occasion.

The online outpouring reflected the diaspora’s appreciation for policies they credit with elevating India’s global standing—from digital initiatives that have made it easier to maintain connections with India to foreign policy moves that have strengthened India’s relationships with other nations where Indian Americans live and work.

The celebration comes at a time when Indian Americans represent one of the most successful immigrant communities in the United States, with significant representation in technology, medicine, business, and politics. Many community leaders view Modi’s global stature as enhancing their own political influence and business opportunities.

The massive registration for Modi’s upcoming New York event—far exceeding the venue’s 15,000 capacity—demonstrates the political organizing power of the Indian American community. This influence extends beyond cultural celebrations to substantive policy discussions about trade, immigration, and strategic partnerships between the two nations.

As Modi prepares to address the diaspora on September 22, the birthday celebrations serve as a warm-up for what promises to be a significant moment in Indian American political engagement. The “Modi & US: Progress Together” event at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum will likely draw attendees from across the Northeast and beyond.

This story was aggregated by AI from several news reports and edited by American Kahani’s News Desk.