– SCHAUMBURG, Ill.
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party praised its supporters abroad for building their home country’s image around the world and urged them to show their support to the new government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by showing up in large numbers at the Sept. 28 Madison Square Garden reception in New York City for the Indian leader.
Several BJP leaders making the rounds of the United States spoke at an event Aug. 24, hosted by the Chicago chapter of Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP-USA), at India House Restaurant in Schaumburg, Ill. Chief guests were keynote speaker Vijay Jolly, Global Convener of BJP Overseas Affairs, and BJP Member of Parliament from Jaipur Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore, a release from the OFBJP said.
The BJP’s plans for India’s growth were outlined by Jolly and interrupted repeatedly with loud applause from the supporters present. The OFBJP which now has chapters in more than 41 countries, has truly become a “global organization,” Jolly noted. “I salute you for the Brand India you have created in the USA by your hard work and excellence in the various professions” and as entrepreneurs, Jolly said. “Your voice and strength abroad are assets for us in India.”
Rathore, a 2004 Olympics Silver Medal winner in shooting, urged greater public participation in politics to achieve a vigilant democracy. “I came from the most admired profession of the ‘Army Ranks’ to the least admired profession of ‘politics’ by choice, he said.
Jolly urged the audience to support the BJP administration by attending the Prime Minister’s reception in large numbers. There was a large-screen video presentation of Modi’s Independence Day address from the Red Fort at the event. The OFBJP -USAVice President Amar Upadhyay gave the welcome address. Chandrakant Patel, president of OFBJP-USA, gave a slide presentation on the organization’s activities since it was founded in 1991. Vrunda Pandav sang Vande Mataram. Rohit Joshi gave the vote of thanks. A cultural program by young ‘Balagokulam’ students from the Mundeline Sakha of the Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh followed the speeches.
Photo caption: OF-BJP office-bearers and non-resident Indian community leaders join Global Convener BJP Overseas Affairs in New Delhi, Vijay Jolly (in red kurta) and BJP MP from Jaipur Col. Rajya Vardhan Singh Rathore (center, in black jacket) for the lamp lighting opening ceremony at the OF-BJP Meet & Greet on Aug. 24 at India House Restaurant in Schaumburg, Ill.