IndiaPost.com - Modi praises Gujaratis for their national spirit

India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat and doyen of Gujaratis across the globe, profusely praised the erstwhile denizens of his State settled abroad for their unflinching loyalty to the country and the State of their origin, and thanked them for extending their help during every time of distress Gujarat suffered due to man-made or natural disasters.

Observing the magnificent arrangement made by fellow Gujaratis, he appreciated their efforts and hoped that he would have their blessings to work for Gujarat, serve the country and beyond everything else serve the humanity at large.

Modi was addressing a jam-packed auditorium of Jain Temple at Bartlet, a northwest side suburb of Chicago, via satellite. This was a part of Gujarat Day celebrations across the USA organized by Gujarati Samuday of North America Referring to the developments that took place during the last 10 years in India, especially Gujarat, he said that the NRIs would be glad to see far-reaching changes occurring there and exhorted them to continue their support in every which way possible.

He recalled the visit he made to Chicago several years ago and acknowledged with gratitude the honor and love with which the people of Indian origin, especially the affection lavished on him by the Gujarati community.

He touched upon many issues of interest as well concern and gave brief comments on each, which showed his mastery over every important issue of economy, agriculture, health, communication and transportation. In less than 45 minutes he clearly and succinctly presented the position of Gujarat, which was off-beat and persuasively convincing.

He projected that NRIs visiting their motherland in 2010 would have an altogether different picture of the all round development. He reassured the NRIs that it would be commonplace for the people of Gujarat, rich or poor, to enjoy this modern scientific convenience by 2010.

He spoke of Narmada water, irrigation and electricity and assured that almost 100 percent of the villages of Gujarat have now been covered with electricity and much wider locations are receiving water. He elucidated his plans to develop Gujarat's 1600 km coastline with world-class ports and making it the 'Gateway of India'.

He held out hopes and confidence that Gujarat, per se the whole country, would realize the dream of Ram Rajya i.e. Sujalam Sufalam to Jyotigram. In fact in his introductory summation of the State of Gujarat in particular and generally the whole country he had highlighted most of the issues.

On being asked if he was keen on a seat at the Center he was modest and said, "I am serving my country by serving Gujarat. I want my state to create a positive role model for the rest of the states to follow".

His reply to a question that struck a chord with the audience was the one on safety of Gujaratis in their home state in wake of terrorist activities that have rocked other states in the past. "We have zero tolerance policy.

If there is a threat to the lives of my innocent people, the perpetuators won't be spared. We will speak to them in the language they understand best. Unlike the UPA government we won't compromise," he said assuring the crowd that his government had security plans, which he can't divulge in public.

Responding to another question on what he's doing for senior citizens, he said that the concept of senior citizens itself is western. "In India we have joint families. We don't treat them separately and children take care of them.

We have schemes to provide financial assistance to those who don't have anyone to look after them and provide reservations at various levels," he said. Retorting to a question on stray animals on roads he said, "Please don't compare India to US.

We are doing our best to improve things, but it will take time to change. It won't happen all of a sudden." Nearly 1500 Gujaratis had converged into the auditorium, many of them turning up an hour ahead of the scheduled time.

"I wish the organizershad sought questions before hand and chose few well-thought ones, befitting enough to be asked to someone of Modi's stature," says Madhu Patel, a retired product designer from Chicago. "I was impressed with his speech and wish he proves a role model for leaders in India. He's the kind of public servant we need," he said.

Earlier Niranjan Shah, a leading Gujarati businessman from Chicago, welcomed the huge satellite audience spread across the Continents and thanked them for their warmth reception to the beloved Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He admired the rare qualities of the Chief Minister, especially his love for the country and her culture and thanked the people of Gujarat to have elected Narendra Modi to the position of Chief Minister. "I heartily welcome Man-niya Narendra Modi to the land of Chicago turned sacred by the visit of Swami Vivekannda over a century ago."

Anchor-woman of India TV, Meena Purohit served as the Mistress of Ceremony at the function and received applause from the audience for an excellent performance. The function drew to a conclusion after Dr Bharat Barai proposed a vote of thanks for a job well done by each and everyone involved in this gargantuan project.