(Image courtesy: New York Times)

When US lawmakers stormed PM Modi for autograph

NEW DELHI: PM Modi's eloquent address to the US Congressmen on Wednesday clearly won many hearts as several lawmakers were seen asking the PM for his autograph.Congressmen and Senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties gave a standing ovation to the Prime Minister several times during his address.If thunderous applause and standing ovations were not enough to convince you that the PM Modi's speech was a hit at the Capitol Hill, then this picture that appeared in New York Times' front page on Thursday, of him being surrounded by Congressmen seeking his autograph, will do it:After his speech, the US Congressmen were all praises for the Indian PM. "He delivered a very insightful speech, which laid out the mutual benefits of our growing relationship with India," said Congressman Brad Sherman.Congressman Joe Crowley said, "It was a historic speech."PM Modi's eloquent speech at the Capitol Hill was a perfect mash-up of seriousness and funny one liners that had the House in splits. His strong message on standing up against terrorism and highlighting the India-US relationship was received among warm applause.One such example of his good humour in the House was when he talked about the similarities between the US and Indian Congress. "I am told you are well-known for your bipartisanship," he said, sending the US Congress members into peals of laughter and applause. "Well, you are not alone. Time and again, I have also witnessed a similar spirit in the Indian Parliament, especially our Upper House," he added, referring to regularly stormy scenes in the US Senate, which presently has a Republican majority under a Democratic President."So, as you can see, we have many shared practices," he rounded off, referring to his own troubles in the Rajya Sabha, where his government is in a minority.On this visit to the US - his fourth since he took charge as PM - Modi seemed to break his usual pattern on foreign visits, choosing to focus more on American businesses and lawmakers than the Indian community.