African-American singer and actor Mary Millben will perform at a diaspora event to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC on June 23.
Modi will be in the United States during June 21-24 on his first state visit. Besides official engagements and the state dinner, Modi will also attend diaspora and business events and participate in International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York.
Millben will also attend the Yoga Day celebrations at UN HQ in New York.
Formally invited by the Steering Committee for Prime Minister’s Official State Visit, Millben is confirmed to perform for Modi and guests at an invitation-only diaspora reception hosted by the United States Indian Community Foundation (USICF) at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington DC on June 23.
Who is Mary Millben?
Mary Millben is an African-American singer, actor, and a media personality.
Millben is a native of Oklahoma state of the United States.
Millben has performed for three consecutive US Presidents, including George W Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, according to The Oklahoman.
The Oklahoman also reported that Millben has performed the US national anthem at the 58th Presidential Inauguration Victory Celebration of Trump and also performed the national anthem for Trump at the 2017 Trump-Pence Victory Breakfast in New York hosted by the Republican National Committee.
Millben has also performed at the White House and the Super Bowl.
"Millben has graced stages of all kind, from The White House to the XLIII Super Bowl Halftime Show with Bruce Springsteen, from off-Broadway to concerts halls globally. She has become a coveted go-to performer for large-scale events across the country due to her rousing arrangements of America’s patriotic music," reported The Oklahoman.
Mary Millben's India connection
Millben is also known for her moving rendition of 'Om Jai Jagadish Hare' and 'Jana Gana Mana'. She is fluent in Hindi among four other languages.
Millben's global performance of the Indian National Anthem performed virtually in 2020 for the 74th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day and the treasured Hindu hymn 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' for the 2020 Diwali observance have been praised and viewed by millions across the United States, India, and the world.
Following in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his pilgrimage to India in 1959, Millben made her first historic trip to India in August 2022 performing at India’s 75th Anniversary of Independence celebrations as an official guest from the United States invited by the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Millben has been invited by Ruchira Kamobj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, to attend the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters.
India-US relationship strongest force for democracy: Millben
Millben said that the common bond in freedom and democracy positions the India-US relationship to be the strongest force for democracy.
She 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 want to thank the Steering Committee for the thoughtful invitation. One earth, one family, one future – the motto of the G20 Summit this year and a timely statement as we welcome the Prime Minister to the United States next week.
"This motto represents the sentiment of the important democratic alliance between the United States and India. Performing for this meaningful gathering of the Diaspora in Washington, DC to welcome Prime Minister Modi is a great honour."
"Our common bond in freedom and democracy positions the US-India relationship to be the strongest force on earth for democracy, the best model for unity as a family, and the symbol of freedom for future generations to come.
"I look forward to joining United Nations General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, (India’s) Ambassador (to the UN) Ruchira Kamobj, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams in welcoming Prime Minister Modi for this first event in the United States."
(With PTI inputs)
