Madhuri Kalyan holds the Indian flag as she waits for PM Modi in Germany. Madhuri Kalyan holds the Indian flag as she waits for PM Modi in Germany.

It was a cold and windy day in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. But what caught our immediate attention was a crowd of noisy Indians, waving their flags, awaiting their leader, their Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



For someone who has already met many celebrities in the past, I couldn't imagine how this was going to be different. But it was nostalgic that we got invited for the most exclusive Indian gathering in Germany. Here lay an opportunity to meet and perhaps also greet PM Modi personally.



Also, I have been a huge fan of his vision, his zeal and enthusiasm to take the country forward.

So it was decided that my husband Kaushik and I would take the plunge and travel to Berlin from Munich to be a part of this great reception.



The day began with welcoming the prime minister outside his hotel. He stepped out in complete presidential style, with a caravan of cars and police motorbikes surrounding his vehicle.



But the man who stepped out was a simple person, who seemed completely unaffected by all the 'celebrity like' hullaballoo around him. Modi voluntarily walked towards the Indian crowd and was greeted with chants 'Desh ki Raksha Kaun karega?' Modiji Modiji' (Who will protect our country? Modiji, Modiji), grew louder.



From small kids to the elderly, PM Modi took out enough time to greet each one in the crowd. Many expatriates in this group had travelled from various parts of Europe just to catch a glimpse of leader.

Evening came, and we found ourselves seated in the Hall of Adlon Hotel, waiting with bated breath for the PM's address. As Modi came in, ushered by his security men, we were filled with a sense of patriotism.

We stood up to sing the national anthem, and it was announced that each one of us would get an opportunity to personally meet and shake hands with the PM.



I was immediately overcome with a feeling of immense pride as I realised that I was singing our national anthem for the first time in Germany.



The Indian Ambassador to Germany Mr Gokhale then invited the PM to address us all. The PM started with telling us how blessed we are to be Indians.



"It is our value system that respects the nature and every aspect of this creation that makes us unique," he said.

His shared with the audience his vision to make India a world leader.



"I am very grateful that Germany has recognised India's value. At one time, there used to be radio shows in Sanskrit here, where in India, just the thought of this will bring about a 'secular' outcry," he said.

The PM went on further to encourage NRIs to become a bridge between the real India and how the world views India. He said he wanted to put India back on the map as a tourist hub. He also encouraged Indians to be entrepreneurs and make India a centre of innovation and knowledge just the way it was thousands of years ago.



I was truly touched by his clarity, vision and determination to take India forward, and to work together with Indians from all corners of the world to achieve this. It made me realise that India finally has a leader to guide it, and restore its former glory.



The speech lasted around 45 minutes, after which we all had a chance to personally meet and shake hands with the leader.

- 29-year-old Madhuri Kalyan stays in Germany and is working there.

