Prakash M Swamy

EDISON, NJ (TIP): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the most popular leaders in the world and several countries are lining up to invite him, said Ram Madhav, General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party here recently. Addressing a felicitation organized by Indian American community jointly by the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) and HSS, he said Modi invited the leaders of SAARC nations to his swearing-in ceremony and also visited Bhutan and Nepal sending a message of according high priority to the bordering countries.

“The reception he received from public in Bhutan and Nepal speaks of his popularity beyond India‘s borders,” he said. The goal of Modi’s government is to serve the last man in the queue as propounded by the party’s ideologue, philosopher and founder leader Shri Deen Dayal Upadhyay, he added.

He gave example of how India withstood the pressure of the world nations at WTO and safeguarded the interest of its farmers. He said that a man who gave five meetings a day during the elections has not uttered a word for the last 75 days and letting his work speak for himself and his government like a true karma yogi. Madhav said that Modi government accorded high priority to hygiene and cleanliness and set social service goals for the party. Commending the work done by Madhya Pradesh, government in this area Madhav exhorted the Indian Diaspora to help India achieve its goals.

He said that India is re-surging under the dynamic leadership of Modi, and his government consists of young ministers who are working hard and have brought a qualitative change in the work culture. The bureaucracy is responding and the files are being dusted off and cleared fast. He said that the recently concluded parliamentary elections were historic because not only the mandate was huge for Modi but also Congress Party was decimated to such a level that it could not fulfill the constitutional rules to attain opposition party status.

He said that Congress got zero in 12 states and five union territories while BJP has representation from every state except Kerala. “Thus, BJP became a pan Indian national party”, he said to the thunderous applause. OFBJP President Chandrakant Patel, in his welcome speech exhorted the Indian Diaspora to give their might to the development of India.

He promised that OFBJP would open a “Service Center” in New Jersey to attend the requirements of Indian American community. Earlier, the meeting started with ceremonial lighting of the lamp and offering flowers to the founding fathers of BJP followed by the rendition of Vandemataram led by Sumedh and Pushpahas. Abhimanyu Gupta, Joint Secretary, HSS gave a presentation on HSS work in New Jersey while Chandrakant Patel highlighted the work done by OFBJP during the election campaign followed by a presentation of Lalji Goswami (Youth Convener, OFBJP). Ila Sukhadia spoke about Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A) and Prakash Waghmare gave a glimpse of Ekal Vidyalaya’s work.

The meeting was also graced by Shri Mahesh Mehta (Coordinator, OFBJP), Saumitra Gokhale(International Coordinator, HSS), Yelloji Rao Mirajkar (General secretary – HSS) and other distinguished guests. OFBJP Past President, Dr. Adapa Prasad introduced Ram Madhav and the program emcee was Ram Rakshpal Sood (OFBJP Adviser). Aravind Modini, OFBJP Youth Co-Convener has moderated the Question and Answer session.

Answering a question on the law and order situation in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, Madhav said that the government is closely watching the situation as the respective state governments are filing false cases on BJP office bearers to contain the party. However, he reiterated that BJP would storm to power in those states in the near future. To another question, he said that the media could no longer afford to ignore BJP.

Answering a question related consulate services in US, he said that services will improve and OFBJP has a great opportunity to work with the consulates in improving the services. On the issue of appeasement of minorities by the Telangana government that promised to bring the rule of Nizam, he reminded that another Sardar Patel is now ruling India and India’s integrity will be preserved at all costs. Krishna Reddy (Treasurer, OFBJP) presented the vote of thanks and recognized the community leaders including Sunil Nayak who provided the venue.