CHICAGO: Overseas Friends of BJP (USA), Chicago Chapter, hosted a Dinner Reception at India House Restaurant in Schaumburg on Sunday, August 24 to celebrate the victory of the BJP in India and also to enlist a warm Diaspora participation at the upcoming reception for Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for September 28 at New York Madison Garden Stadium.
The program started with a large screen video presentation of Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort to the delight of 125 plus attendees.
The kick off of stage program was with the traditional ‘Lighting of the Lamp’ followed by ‘Vande Mataram’. The dignitaries on the stage were Vijay Jolly, Global Convener BJP Overseas Affairs (New Delhi), Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore BJP MP from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Chandrakant Patel, President OFBJP (USA), Amrit Mittal, staunch supporter of ‘Sangh Parivar’ activities and Amar Upadhyaya, Vice President, OFBJP (USA).
The master of ceremony S.Vemuri set the tone with his eloquent opening remarks: “The spectacular rise of Narendra Modi is like the resurrection of a leader like Sardar Patel. After 67 years, the Sardar is back with a huge mandate from the people of India, to transform India into a modern, prosperous nation, free of corruption and scandals”.
The young and energetic MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore stressed the importance of public participation in politics for the vigilant functioning of democracy. He said, “I come from the most admired profession of the Army to the least admired profession of Politics by choice, precisely for the reasons I mentioned”. He urged the audience to show their support to the promising administration of BJP, by attending the September 28 Prime Minister’s reception in large numbers. Rathore had already won the estimation of the people with his credentials which included the winning of Silver Medal for India in Shooting at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
In his Keynote address, Vijay Jolly outlined the various ambitious plans of BJP for India’s growth and said the Overseas Friends of BJP with chapters in more than 41 countries has truly become a ‘Global Organization’. Addressing the audience he said “I salute you for the Brand India you have created in the USA by your hard work and excellence in the various professions of engineering, medicine, business, as well as many other entrepreneur positions. Your voice and strength abroad are assets for us in India”. He exhorted the Diaspora to join at the USA reception for Narendra Modi in large numbers.
Chandrakant Patel gave a slide presentation of the various activities that OFBJP (USA) has been doing since its founding in 1991. Earlier, Amar Upadhyaya welcomed the gathering and introduced Chandrakant Patel. Bhailal Patel introduced the visiting BJP MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Prasad Yelamanchi introduced the Keynote speaker Vijay Jolly. Rohit Joshi gave the vote of thanks.
This was followed by an excellent cultural program by students of ‘Balagokulam’ of Mundeline Sakha of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. The program concluded with Dinner in the fabulous ‘Banquet Hall Setting’ of the India House Restaurant for the packed audience.
Vinesh Virani
