PM Modi is touched by singer Mary Millben after the PM of Papua New Guinea

During the last performance of the formal State Visit of the Prime Minister, American singer Mary Millben sang India’s national hymn Jana Gana Mana. She then touched Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet and asked for his grace.

Millben is the second person in a month to accomplish so, after PM James Marape of Papua New Guinea.

Ms Millben, 38, gave a performance of the Indian national anthem at a USICF-hosted event that was invitation-only and took place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Centre in Washington, DC.

In front of Prime Minister Modi and members of the Indian diaspora, Mary Millben sang the Indian national song. She said “Namaste” to the Indian Prime Minister and touched his feet in a show of respect.

In between “Bharat Mata ki Jai” chanting, the two had a quick word on stage. The event was sponsored by the United States Indian Community Foundation (USICF), and PM Modi delivered his last speech to the Indian diaspora there.

Before the event, Ms. Millben said she was “deeply honoured” to perform the Indian national anthem for Prime Minister Modi.

In a statement, the singer said, “I am very honoured to perform the Indian national anthem for Prime Minister Modi and in honour of the nation and the people I have grown to consider my family. I have performed patriotic songs and the national anthem for four US presidents in a row.

The phrases of both the American and Indian anthems contain the true essence of the US-India relationship. Both discuss the principles of freedom and democracy. A free country can only be defined by a free people, she said.

During his visit to the Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea last month, the prime minister of that country caressed PM Modi’s feet. While exhibiting pictures from the airport, a man and a woman performed a similar gesture in front of the prime minister as he departed the nation by kneeling and touching the ground. PM Modi promptly returned the favour by bowing and raising his hands in a sign of prayer.