Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first state visit to the United States on Tuesday (June 20). While there will be a number of official events, deals, and other activities planned during his June 21-23, 2023 visit, there will also be cultural activities planned by the Indian diaspora. A well-known African-American singer, Mary Millben, will perform at Modi’s events in New York and Washington. Millben is well-known in India for her renditions of the national anthems ‘Jan Gana Mana’ and ‘Om Jai Jagdish Hare’.
PM Modi will attend the celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York on June 21. Millben has been formally invited to attend the celebration by Ruchira Kamboj, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations.
Accepting the invitation, Millben said: “I have great anticipation and excitement as the Prime Minister visits the United States next week. This visit celebrates the U.S.-India relationship, the world’s two largest democracies and the most important relationship in the world today. I look forward to joining United Nations General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams in welcoming Prime Minister Modi for this first event in the United States,” according to a press release by the singer.
READ | Singer Mary Millben To Perform During PM Modi’s Events In United States
Who Is Mary Jorie Millben?
Millben grew up in a Christian family in Oklahoma City. Althea Millben, her mother, worked as a Pentecostal music pastor and appears to have influenced Millben’s love of music. Millben began singing in the children’s choir at Wildewood Christian Church in Oklahoma City at the age of five.
She was invited to visit India in August 2022 by the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. She performed at India’s 75th anniversary of independence celebrations.