'The whole country has to aspire to move up. They should look at their neighbours, see where they are, and should work to get there.'

The prime minister was impressed with the speed at which the apps designed by young programmers delivered results -- whether it be addressing problems like women's safety, and farmers and weather-related issues.

Dr Jashu Patel, who led the delegation, told Rediff.com he did not discuss the protest when he met Modi, "but he was aware of who we were and we had communicated with him three days ago". "I am concerned about what is happening in Gujarat," said Dr Patel, "So we submitted a memorandum to him."

Conversation between the investors will be based on technology and innovation.

A team of 30 chefs is cooking up an Indian storm with a Californian twist for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 700 guests for his community lunch being hosted by the Indian consulate at the Fairmont Hotel.

'Modi is the only chance we have in creating an Indian dream like we have the American Dream out here,' one ohe judges for the 'Code for India' hackathon in California tells Ritu Jha/Rediff.com

San Francisco Bay Area's investor community hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Silicon Valley visit will lead to policy changes.

If even a fraction of the 175 GW target is achieved, India's reliance on coal and oil would be reduced, says expert.

Her project aims to clean waste water by flowing through different layers of corn cobs which is a cost-effective and simple technique of cleaning water.

The organisers of Modi's Silicon Valley event will have only a few hours to get the stage ready after the Shark Tanks' ice hockey game at the SAP Centre ends.

'Silicon Valley is the best model for driving growth and innovation. Meeting the right people who care about India is a fantastic step. India today stands out as the large potential global economy for growth.'

Sikhs For Justice plans to picket Facebook's Menlo Park headquarters during Narendra Modi's September 27 visit.

Moved by three-year-old Aylan Kurdi's death, Vidhya Ramalingam has kick-started a crowd-funding campaign to buy a rescue ship for immediate action in the Mediterranean.

'We are calling for democratic accountability even as we talk about Digital India.' 'We are not against Digital India and it is important for India, but the government should not see what is applicable just to entrepreneurs but also to the vast majority of Indians who do not have the kind of advantages that many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs have.'

'Sundar Pichai is not only a great engineer but a good leader too'

On Sunday, August 9, over 400 California-based community leaders from various organisations and inter-faith groups gathered under the Indo-American Community of West Coast USA banner, some of whom were the first to sign up for the event.

Dr P K Menon, Chief Scientist and CEO, Optimal Synthesis Inc, who worked with Dr A P J Abdul Kalam early on in his career, recalls what it was like working for his first boss.

'His simple lifestyle, his optimism, his hard work and his genuine humility made him an authentic role model to millions of children, many of them growing up in challenging circumstances.'

Adobe has roped in industry veteran Abhay Parasnis to head the firm's technology strategy, particularly its cloud portfolio, reports Ritu Jha.

'The Indian-American community is very excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi. He is the second prime minister to come to California after Jawaharlal Nehru, who visited the state in 1961.'