FORDS, NJ (TIP): Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences was the chief guest at the event organized by Overseas Friends of BJP (USA) to celebrate the successful completion of one year of BJP led NDA government in India under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Over seven hundred people attended the celebrations at local Royal Albert Palace Hall, in Edison, New Jersey on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Leaders of several Indian American organizations from New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC metropolitan area have attended the gala event.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said it was a privilege to be part of this celebration, has no words to describe the love and enthusiasm of Indian Diaspora, and said that they were more enthusiastic than anyone else to see Narendra Modi as the PM of India. “Modi has become a symbol of aspirations of people of every age group and reached great heights within a span of one year. Modi is a leader who grew from grassroots and in him we have thinking, planning and committed PM who works 365 days a year and elevated India to the center stage of the world”, he said. He said that Prime Minister Modi has not only engaged with neighbors but also engaged with world’s influential countries such as US, Australia, Germany, Japan, Brazil, France, Canada, and China. Moreover, he is the first prime minister to visit Mongolia. He revealed that India has improved its relations with 101 countries within a span of one year and its work during Iraq, Yemen, and Nepal crisis was appreciated world over.

He cited India’s 7.7 % growth rate, stabilization of inflation after a decade, controlling corruption, and discontinuing 892 British era laws were some of the high lights of Modi government’s achievements within a year. He continued that Modi government has shown sincerity to fight the menace of black money by constituting an SIT within 24 hours of taking oath. His fight against black is showing results with even foreign governments lending support to his initiative.

He said that over 3.lakh crores of rupees were garnered by transparently auctioning coal blocks in a real-time basis for the first time since Independence

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that “Make in India” program was conceived to make India a great competitive manufacturing hub of the world and impart skill development to the nation’s youth. Modi government made changes to pertinent archaic laws to make India a business friendly nation. He gave few examples like Rotavirus vaccine developed in India and recently dedicated to the nation, costs $1 to make in India while it costs $50 in US. Similarly, the Mars Vehicle sent by India was the cheapest possible space technology in the world.

He illustrated the vision of Modi government with respect Railways, Defense manufacturing, Power and renewable energy, Science and Technologies, and more. He said that India has plans to build the world’s largest telescope and developed technologies to give weather alerts to farmers and fishermen. On the social sector, he praised the grand vision of Prime Minister Modi who initiated “Swatch Bharat” (Hygienic India) Program. Over 5 million toilets were constructed during last one year.

He said to the thunderous applause that Modi being a visionary even convinced UN, which eventually declared June 21 as Yoga day for the health of the mankind. India has a statesman in Narendra Modi who has touched the hearts of millions after Atal Behari Vajpayee and is bound to take India to glorious heights and make all Indians including Diaspora proud. He gave a PowerPoint presentation illustrating Modi government’s achievement during last one year.

Earlier, Dr. Harsh Vardhan was accorded a traditional welcome with drums and dancing, garlanding Sardar Patel statues in the premises, and amidst chanting of Vedic mantras by Pandit Praveen Shastri following the lamp lighting ceremony. Led by Mrs. Sita Sharma, Vandemataram was renditioned along with US and India’s national anthems. A brief cultural event was conducted with Ganesh Vandana medley by Manjari Parikh and a patriotic song medley by kids.

Jayesh Patel, OFBJP Past President has welcomed the audience and said that indeed it was a great day for all volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister of India. Ravi Boodhanuru briefed the audience on OFBJP Nepal Earthquake relief efforts and everyone paid a moment of silence for the Nepal earthquake victims. A video presentation on the achievements of Modi government titled ‘Saal Ek, Shuruat Anek’ was shown that listed the initiatives undertaken under Modiji’s leadership.

Senator Cory Booker’s message was read followed by Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s (OFBJP Medical Cell Coordinator) introduction of the chief guest, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Other eminent leaders who participated during the program includes Dr. Adapa Prasad, Suresh Jani, R.P. Singh, Rakshpal Sood, Dr. Bhayani, H.R. Shah, Bhupendra and several dignitaries from the parivar organizations. Ram Kamath (Zonal General Secretary, OFBJP) was the program emcee. Question and Answer session was conducted Aravind Modini and Krishna Reddy (Treasurer, OFBJP) gave vote of thanks. A sumptuous dinner was provided and the volunteers distributed a handout that listed the achievements of Narendra Modi government and registered people who wanted to contribute to various initiatives of Modi government like Swatch Bharat, Namami Ganga and more.