CHICAGO: Swatchha Bharat Abhiyan – Clean India campaign – launched by the PM office in October last is set to get a big boost with a likely hefty donation from Indian American Community Foundation (IAFC).
The Foundation was set up by a group of well meaning Indian Americans in New York last year in the wake of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the country. Its fund raising efforts for hosting India PM events met with huge success and it could raise close to one and half million dollars from contributions across the US.
With close monitoring and effective management it ended the year with a surplus and it has decided in principle to release its “unutilized funds” for a good cause in India. “And what can be a better cause than PM’s Swatchha India Campaign,” said Dr Bharat Barai, an IAFC prime coordinator. According to informed sources, the IAFC would be in a position to contribute $300,000 for Clean India Campaign.
PM Modi’s successful US visit last September had triggered “euphoria” across America and many from different parts of the country wanted him to come to their cities too. Chicago was in the forefront inviting him to come. It was widely believed and held to be near certainty that the PM during his next visit would come to Chicago which hundred years ago hosted the Parliament of World Religions attended among others by an Indian monk Swami Vivekananda.
Dr Bharat Barai extended an invitation to the PM on behalf of scores of Midwest organizations during his recent meet in New Delhi and pitched strongly for a Chicago visit. Hopes were entertained that the PM would oblige them when he comes to New York to attend the 70th UNO anniversary celebrations in September.
Indications are that he is weighing different options and one of the options is that of going to West Coast – Silicon Valley. Motivation for the Silicon Valley is meeting IT entrepreneurs and professionals to pave the way for larger investment in this sector in India.
In a talk to this paper, Dr Barai said that he would not rule out completely his Chicago visit as yet, but larger consideration of India’s interest may tilt the balance in favor of Silicon Valley. Even if the PM plans coming to Chicago, it would be up to the Midwest based organizations to take the lead and host all the events.
Dr Barai and a group of PM supporters from across the USA were hugely successful in planning and organizing Modi’s reception in New York last year under the auspices IACF. With the prime purpose served the Foundation will stand disbanded, it is learnt.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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