NRI Gujaratis have broad based the nature and scope of the event and are inviting leaders from across the Indian political spectrum.
NEW DELHI: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi could not make it to American shores, in 2005. Instead, he was caught in a visa controversy with the US government refusing to grant one to him. Wizened by the previous year’s experience, the Gujarati expatriates in America are acting prudent this year.
The NRI Gujaratis have broad based the nature and scope of the event and are inviting leaders from across the Indian political spectrum and from all walks of life. This list includes Bollywood actors, cricketers, and musicians of Gujarati origin. Though they want Narendra Modi to visit New Jersey for the three-day mega event, they are no longer pressing for it. The event has been named “Chaalo Gujarat” and is scheduled to take place at Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey in the US from July 7 through July 9.
A group of NRI Gujaratis under the banner of Association of Indian Americans of North America (AIANA) landed in New Delhi on Tuesday and met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leader of opposition LK Advani and invited them to attend the inaugural function of 'Chaalo Gujarat' in New Jersey. Advani, who represents Gandhinagar in Parliament, has been considered a high profile replacement to Narendra Modi. Advani told DNA, “I normally go abroad only on government’s invitation. I have not given my commitment to attend the event, but I have also not said 'no' to them.”
The president of AIANA Sunil Naik said, “It’s going to be the biggest ever gathering of Indians outside India and we are inviting everyone. The Prime Minister and Advaniji have said that they will consider the invitation.”
On whether Modi has been invited, considering the fact that the US refused to grant him a visa last year, Naik said “Yes, we did invite Modi. He has acknowledged the invitation. So far as the visa issue is concerned, it is between the Gujarat government and US administration. Last year, we had registered our protest when his visa was refused.”
Naik, who is a hotelier by profession in the US, also said, “I have no political affiliations. Our purpose is to create a mini-Gujarat for people who had been living abroad for years.” Union ministers Praful Patel and Shankar Singh Vaghela, cricketers Irfan Pathan, Zahir Khan and Parthiv Patel, music director Ismail Durbar, are expected to attend the meeting.
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