Dubai: Nearly 50,000 Indians would witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ceremony ‘Marhaba Namo’, which is being held at the International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Monday evening. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and is all set to address the crowd at ‘Marhaba Namo’ at around 8 pm.
The stadium will accommodate nearly 30,000 and another 15,000 people will be accommodated outside the stadium. DJs and food stalls have been arranged outside the stadium. Two large videos will also broadcast the live speech of Narendra Modi for people unable to enter the stadium. After observing the overwhelming response to the event, the organisers issued an alert saying that registering online is not a guarantee for admission into the stadium.
Heavy security is also deployed at the stadium and the gates will open at 3 pm. Nearly 35 international artistes have been roped in for cultural programme, which is scheduled to begin at around 6.30 pm. The arrangements for the event are going on in full swing. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has arranged about 200 public buses for the ceremony.
According to a statement, the online registration through a website www.namoindubai.ae does not ensure entry to the stadium and added that the access to the event would be on first come first entry basis. The statement also said that the gates will be closed as soon as it is filled to capacity.
Anurag Bhushan, Indian consul general, said, “We are privileged that Modi has decided to pay a visit which comes after 34 years after the last visit made by the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, in 1981. The fact that he is coming here on a standalone visit makes the Indian community justifiably proud. We want this to be a momentous and memorable event.”
B.R. Shetty, member of the reception organising committee Namo in Dubai, said, “This is a dream come true for all Indian expatriates. We want this event to conclude smoothly so that both the Indian government and the UAE government can have reason to be proud of the Indian community here.”
