SPAA PhD Student Vageesha Sharma Selected to Attend Modi&US Community Reception

Vageesha Sharma, a first-year PhD student at Rutgers SPAA, was selected to attend a Modi&US Community Reception to welcome the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during his visit to the United States on September 22 in New York.

She shared her experience:

“The highlight of the evening was the address by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who celebrated the vibrant and diverse Indian diaspora in the USA. He passionately spoke about the shared values of religious, linguistic, and cultural diversity. It reflects on the strength, beauty, and spirit that unite India and the USA.

“The atmosphere was electric, with around 85 media outlets covering the event and representatives from 42 states joining in the celebration. Being in the same arena as the Honorable Prime Minister of my country was an incredible privilege, and I felt immensely motivated by the occasion, which emphasizes the ties between our two democracies.

“This experience has not only deepened my appreciation for our cultural connections but also emphasized the importance of fostering these ties between India and the USA.”