India's Modi to observe strict fast during maiden trip to U.S

[prasad1]

Share:

Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Share Link

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will observe a strict religious fast during his maiden trip to the United States, aides said on Monday, in a test both of the 64-year-old leader's stamina and of protocol in the Obama White House.


Throughout a grueling schedule that features the United Nations General Assembly, a rally of Indian Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden and talks with Obama in Washington, the devout Hindu will abstain from food.


In keeping with the habits of a lifetime, Modi will restrict himself to a "liquid diet" throughout the Navratri festival, when India's majority Hindus worship mother goddess Durga in all her manifestations. "He will only consume lemonade with some honey and a cup of tea every day," a senior official in Modi's office in New Delhi told Reuters.


"He has been fasting for the last four decades and does not want to change this pattern even while he is traveling," added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Navratri, derived from the ancient Sanskrit words 'nine nights', falls this year from Sept. 25 to Oct. 3. The festival spans Modi's first trip to the United States since he triumphed in a general election in May. It culminates on the tenth day, known as Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil. Millions of Hindus fast, pray and dance to please the mother goddess during Navratri. Some restrict their diet to fruit and vegetables while spurning meat, onions and garlic. Others, like Modi, a strict vegetarian, do not eat at all.
India's Modi to observe strict fast during maiden trip to U.S

 

[v arun kumar]

The media will glorify almost everything and pull down anything at its whims,

So whats new about a PM who fasts !!! My entire family does it, my neighbours do it, millions of indians do it without a choise.

 

[krish44]

we are not bothered about such things.

modi can consume all he wants and deliver in terms of performance

 

[prasad1]

The media will glorify almost everything and pull down anything at its whims,

So whats new about a PM who fasts !!! My entire family does it, my neighbours do it, millions of indians do it without a choise.

I am not a Modi fan, But I still think that him sticking to his conviction shows courage and dedication.
Are you sure people are fasting without a Choice? Then it is not on religious conviction. So the people who are going hungry are fasting? No.
Fasting is when you follow strict discipline and forgo eating.

 

[prasad1]

we are not bothered about such things.

modi can consume all he wants and deliver in terms of performance

Symbolism is everything, who really knows what one does in private.

 

[krish44]

Modi has already made symbolic statement on indian muslims being loyal to the country while sangh parivar is showing its real face vis a vis muslims

at present US president is a lame duck with 2 years left and may not take any major decisions .

he has other domestic concerns related to economy .

I do not expect anything major to come out of this trip.

most american MNCs would be wary of doing business with india.

only some hot money is coming into indian markets from US . It may change by mid 2015 when a new interest rate regime comes in

only american indians may have high hopes of him

indians in india would be satisfied to see him at prime time in the evening on TV .He has ensured it by scheduling his meeting between 7am-11am US time

so far only showmanship and rhetoric

let us see what happens

 

[tks]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will observe a strict religious fast during his maiden trip to the United States, aides said on Monday, in a test both of the 64-year-old leader's stamina and of protocol in the Obama White House.


Throughout a grueling schedule that features the United Nations General Assembly, a rally of Indian Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden and talks with Obama in Washington, the devout Hindu will abstain from food.


In keeping with the habits of a lifetime, Modi will restrict himself to a "liquid diet" throughout the Navratri festival, when India's majority Hindus worship mother goddess Durga in all her manifestations. "He will only consume lemonade with some honey and a cup of tea every day," a senior official in Modi's office in New Delhi told Reuters.


"He has been fasting for the last four decades and does not want to change this pattern even while he is traveling," added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Navratri, derived from the ancient Sanskrit words 'nine nights', falls this year from Sept. 25 to Oct. 3. The festival spans Modi's first trip to the United States since he triumphed in a general election in May. It culminates on the tenth day, known as Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil. Millions of Hindus fast, pray and dance to please the mother goddess during Navratri. Some restrict their diet to fruit and vegetables while spurning meat, onions and garlic. Others, like Modi, a strict vegetarian, do not eat at all.
India's Modi to observe strict fast during maiden trip to U.S

Sri Prasad

(The main value I derive from visiting this forum is reading news stories that you , Sri vgane Sri PJ and others bring here to the forum! - so thanks!)

I think PM Modi continuing to observe his convictions and habits has to be commended on his first visit to USA as head of the largest democracy in the world.

The Western approach (which many in India try to ape) is to 'wine and dine' with a view to establish a sense of connection with a guest. In this visit, the possibility of this by anyone is going to be absent. Only substantive talks can bring about any sense of increased partnership.

During the last visit of PM from India, the media had extensive coverage about the kind of party President Obama gave which even included a couple of gate crashers to the party (exposing the security arrangements). Nothing much happened after that.

Fasting may be symbolic but it is tough on anyone. It sends a message that PM Modi is person of conviction.
Modern India and the stylish Indians in India are known for their life of corruption. A person of conviction as the leader of India sends a strong message that India can earn back the trust for producing quality products in the future. Most people in India (including myself in my corporate/professional roles in the past) do not want to do business with India in any substantive manner due to untrustworthy people one runs into within a system of bureaucracy. If PM Modi's visit marks the beginning of removing this image that would be great progress.

In addition to overcoming both the perception and reality of corrupt way of life, India has to be known for manufacturing high quality products. This is the only way by which other countries will consider India as a manufacturing center in the future.

PM Modi's approach to life has to send a strong message to few Indians in India as well who are largely used to an outlook of cynicism and hypocrisy. These people love to privately worship anything western, be clueless about Indian heritage and like to fashionably bad mouth the west.

They may have acquired a special taste in wines which is alien to our culture. They may pride themselves in going to eat Kentucky fried Chickens since that may be a statement of affluence.

A wine taster who can comment on wine from various parts of the world by tasting only is admired in the west due to the cultural heritage of the west.

Even some claiming a TB identity also want to become a wine tasting expert in his secret quest to ape the western culture while not knowing that 'Rasam tasting' is in our culture . (Traditional head cooks in weddings used to personally make Rasam because a Rasam taste is a signature of pride for an Indian cook and his team).

Having said all this, let me also state that a very large number of people in India are peace loving, and people of high integrity regardless of their social status or religion. I see PM Modi as representing the dreams of all those people and wish that his trip is very successful.

 

[prasad1]

Thank you TKSji for the kind words.

 

[renuka]

Good Idea.in fact the Lemonade and Honey is one of the best way to "detox" the body and most Hollywood actresses do this to knock off a kilo or two.

So way to go Modi..you have given us tips to keep fit.

Just for info..its better to use raw organic unprocessed honey with the lemonade.

Its releases sugars slowly and one does not feel tired as much.

 

[renuka]

BTW the most difficult fast of all is the Ramadhan fast.

Its not easy being without water at all and still do work as usual.

I really admire muslims for that.

Most of our Hindu fasts are not real fasts..becos some liquid is allowed at times and some eat fruits and still claim its a fast.

Very few Hindus fast without food and water.

One should try a Ramadhan fast..I had done that before once...its not easy at all!

 

[s_b_iyer]

ஒழுக்கம். கட்டுப்பாடு. த்யானம். நல்வழி. வாழ்க வளமுடன்.

 

[krish44]

All this fasting business is a fad.

All foreigners might think that poor hungry indians live on air and water

modi need not project an unreal picture of india.

how many hindus fast during navrathra ?

northerners in delhi go to places like Gulathis and hog veg food without garlic and onions instead of meat. thats the only concession for navrathra.

all delhi people are Khate -Peethe log . A few american indians will follow my terminology

if they go hungry it is only because of poverty and non availability of rations for a second meal in the evening

60 percent of indians [ a rough estimate] do not have a decent life

A high cost economy due to opening out too much too fast accompanied by invasion of Japan,korea, china into all consumer segments killing domestic manufacturing in

these areas.

nothing really of value is coming from western countries except funky lifestyles ,drug addiction , hatred for other religions[read muslim], aid for christian missions to

convert some indians to their religion.

we are better of without american interest in our subcontinent. they can keep our indians and not send them here when they are old.

 

[vgane]

Modi's fast is his choice.. Let us not mock at the Navrathra fast undertaken by millions of Hindus..

 

[krish44]

where are the millions of fasting indians doing it for navrathras.?

it is overblown.

there is a new india which requires projection

IN todays THEHindu page2 there was a headline' Senior citizen on the Ramp'

quote' Senior citizen will walk the ramp on oct 1 as part of international day for elders celebrations with the delhi govt organising a fashion show titled ' Smart and sexy @70'

delhi govt and NGOs will run multiple events along with delhi tourism having poster,painting competitions at delhi Haat. Seniors will be welcomed with a flower

Other govt agencies will organise competition for students on the theme of protecting elders.

Another news item in The hindu on front page
A woman in CJIs court in lawyers robes said she consumed Phenyl as police ignored her rape complaint,

the woman was rushed to hospital on CJIs orders.

This is the capital of india

why act pious abroad?

whom are we taking for a ride?

 

[sarang]

US diggers find a Kargil resolution - ‘HR 227’ and the Modi connection

"New Delhi, Sept. 21:With exactly a week to go before Barack Obama and Narendra Modi meet for the first time, Americans are discovering that the new Prime Minister is no pushover.

"documents surfaced in Washington which pointed to a hitherto unknown role played by Modi in securing the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Kargil at the heavy prodding of then US President Bill Clinton.

"It will never be acknowledged, of course, but the text of that House resolution, “HR 227,” was virtually written by Indian lobbyists on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Indian embassy in Washington.

"The resolution was to leave the committee in that form and would have been passed by the House, but Narendra Modi arrived in Washington and with support from Overseas Friends of the BJP, launched into a whirlwind of meetings with key Congressmen.

"Earlier, he had spent a few days in NewJersey brainstorming with Indian Americans, especially of BJP and RSS persuasion, and assessed the situation. At meetings on Capitol Hill, Modi asked for reopening of the text of HR 227 arguing that it was toothless and would not do anything to persuade Musharraf to call off his dangerous Kargil adventure.

"Modi said the only thing that would hurt Islamabad was a financial crunch and he called on the US to work towards cutting off funds for Pakistan from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

"It was then that Modi took matters into his hands. With support from Hindu Net and other American organisations linked to the RSS, Congressmen were bombarded with phone calls and fax messages demanding, as American citizens, that the US should call for cutting off international loans and aid to Pakistan.

"Ackerman moved an amendment to HR 227 which substituted portions of the original resolution. In part, Ackerman’s amendment read: "the US President should consider all alternatives, including instructing the US representatives to various international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to oppose any loan applications from Pakistan, except for food or humanitarian assistance, until it withdraws its forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control.”
"As the Modi-inspired amendment made its way through stages on Capitol Hill, the BJP and the RSS left nothing to chance. Sushma Swaraj arrived in Washington and was personally on the Hill as the Ackerman amendment passed.
"Once the Ackerman amendment passed overwhelmingly, the administration read it as a signal that America’s elected representatives had chosen to unambiguously back India in the conflict.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140922/jsp/frontpage/story_18859867.jsp#.VCEJaZSSzPv

 

[krish44]

modi's reaching out to china might turn out to be not wise seeing the developments at the border.

this economic engagement might encourage china to more adventures at the border as it might be taken as weakness of india to confront china'

Economic engagement cannot be a substitute for military confrontation.

india used russia in 1971 to ensure chinas neutrality during confrontation with pak over bangladesh .

india requires vietnam ,japan and russia besides US to confront mighty china.

it is a confusing scenario .

no one knows where is india in a multi polar world with one diminishing superpower US.

 

[mkrishna100]

Modi has been fasting during Navrathri for many years before he became PM and I am not surprised that he is maintaining that during his current trip to USA which comes during Navrathri time .
I am not aware of how many people in India fast during Navrathri /Ekadasi etc . But it is good to fast 1-2 times every month ( at least avoid solid foods ) and live on juices to detox the body if not for spiritual reasons .

 

[sarang]

Modi likely to draw the largest crowd ever by a foreign leader in US;

Million dollar question is whether modi will have the strength and energy to address meetings and participate in negotiations and discussion. He has done it in India all these years, did not skip any routine activity. Except perhaps karan thapar's interview for asking the same one question even after answer was given.


"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first trip to New York as leader of the world’s most populous democracy, will draw perhaps the largest crowd ever by a foreign leader on U.S. soil when he takes the stage on Sunday in Madison Square Garden before a crowd forecast to total more than 18,000 people. Thousands more are expected to pack New York’s Times Square to watch his address in Hindi on big screens as well as smaller viewing parties around the country and on TV in India."

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/modi-likely-to-draw-the-largest-crowd-ever-by-a-foreign-leader-in-us/

 

[biswa]

nothing really of value is coming from western countries except funky lifestyles ,drug addiction , hatred for other religions[read muslim], aid for christian missions to

convert some indians to their religion.

we are better of without american interest in our subcontinent. they can keep our indians and not send them here when they are old.

Ha ha ha, this is funny. Who doesn't hate the Muslims? How about the Hindus (India), Buddhists (Burma), Communists (China), Jews (Israel), Christians (Nigeria)?
And you just chose to blame the West?

I doubt that America is unduly fascinated by India. But Indians seem very fascinated by America, specially the ones that dont live there (but secretly wish they did).

 

[prasad1]

It is easy to hate a success, it is secret jealousy of successful organization.
But everyone uses the success of the west to emulate it.
West has made blunders, and western leaders and people are to blame for lot of things in the world.
Only when you cook and feed people they can criticize the taste, if you never feed others they can not complain about the taste.
So idle people of the world will blame anything other than themselves and west is the bogyman.

People complain about US being the world police person, including in USA.
But without the Police the world is a lawless place, ISIS just proved it.

So if US should not police the world, who else? What is the alternative for world order?
I understand that American parents are tired of putting their kids in line of fire, and paying money from their pockets.
But same is true of raising a police force in crime ridden places within USA.
UN can not fulfill the role of world police person, who will fill this vacuum?

 

[sarang]

Revolving stage, beam on Times Square, subtitles... Modi


Well done, organizers.

"The organisers of the community reception for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be held at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 28, have created a special rotating stage for him that will move every 15 minutes.

"He will face all the people at some point of time while he is making his remarks. This is an extra expense, but we decided that we don't want anybody to be behind him all the time. So we are creating a special 6-foot-diameter stage. His podium will be on this diameter stage, which will be rotating."

"Dr Barai advised men not to bring anything besides their cell phones; no bags will be permitted.
"And for women, please inform them that they bring only a small clutch purse, which can accommodate their cell phone and personal items — nothing beyond that," he added.

"We have already made arrangements for simultaneous English translations and 500 people, including the Congressmen and Senators, will have headphones. . . So, just like the United Nations, they (the dignitaries) will be able to hear his speech on the headphones in English simultaneously. Number two, there will be live English subtitles on the MSG 360-degree screen."

"Agreements had been reached with the Times Square Alliance "and his speech will be beamed live at Times Square from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm, and that will be with English subtitles too. We will also announce shortly on our Web site which radio station they can tune into. So either they could dial a telephone number or they can hear it on a particular radio station.

"There will be an application and they can even see the whole programme live on their smart phone. So, in a sense, anyone anywhere in the world who wants to listen to the speech by the prime minister, has an opportunity to do so."

"The first two rows are reserved for invitees,""It's behind them that the patron members will be seated, and there are only 700 people out of 18,000 who belong to that category."

Revolving stage, beam on Times Square, subtitles... Modi@MSG - Rediff.com India News

 

[renuka]

Originally Posted by krish44
nothing really of value is coming from western countries except funky lifestyles ,drug addiction , hatred for other religions[read muslim], aid for christian missions to

Yet we type in a western language..in a lap top powered by Microsoft.Some get high by western alcohol!LOL

 

[renuka]

Is Modi being deified? I think very soon he will be made into a Deva.

There better be a Gayatri mantra soon.

 

[krish44]

Ha ha ha, this is funny. Who doesn't hate the Muslims? How about the Hindus (India), Buddhists (Burma), Communists (China), Jews (Israel), Christians (Nigeria)?
And you just chose to blame the West?

I doubt that America is unduly fascinated by India. But Indians seem very fascinated by America, specially the ones that dont live there (but secretly wish they did).

any hate campaign is started by the west and US encouraging others to follow suit.

the same fellows supported the taliban to fight russians.

Others feel they have sanction of US for hating muslims and follow suit

america is loved only by american indians and a few youngsters who feel a great future awaits them there'

it requires just one bad act by an indian with a white in US for hate india campaign in US.

it is a hysterical country living with ideas of its own grandeur and invincibility

 

[krish44]

Yet we type in a western language..in a lap top powered by Microsoft.Some get high by western alcohol!LOL

we are here to corrupt anything from US.
We have tamilinglish which only we follow

We use laptops copied or manufactured locally or south korea or taiwan or china.

we use pirated software of dubious origin

our alcohol is mixture of western with desi brew which gives a better kick.

we know how to realise value out of anything put in front of us