NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ: The three day (Sept 14-16) annual convention of Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP)-USA was held at Hotel Jewel of India in North Brunswick, NJ. The Indian American community of Tri State area (NY, NJ, and PA) felicitated the visiting BJP functionaries from Delhi, Shri Ram Lal, BJP National General Secretary (Org) and Shri Vijay Jolly, BJP Convener – Overseas Affairs and OFBJP.
The annual convention was held under the leadership of OFBJP National Executive Committee (NEC), National Council (NC) and National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by their President, Shri Jayesh Patel and President Elect, Shri Chandrakant Patel.
The National Coordinator is Shri Mahesh Mehta, the Convention Coordinator is Shri Ram Rakshpal Sood and the Immediate Past President is Dr. Adapa Prasad. Over 600 people attired in their traditional dresses accorded warm welcome and rousing reception to the BJP dignitaries.
Shri Ram Lal in his clarion call to the Indian American community in USA, sought support for the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections and also for the 2014 parliament elections in India. He declared that the BJP will provide good governance and able administration in India if elected to the office.
He gave a comparative analysis of the previous governance of NDA headed by Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee and the current UPA’s misgovernance or non-governance provided by Dr. Manmohan Singh.
He cited the examples of nine BJP administered states in India where innovative schemes are being implemented that generated all round development of the states and leading the over all GDP of India. If not for the best performance of these BJP ruled states, the GDP of India would have gone down further. He assured that BJP will provide a corruption free government and will take steps to bring back the black money stashed away in foreign banks, particularly the Swiss banks.
Shri Ram Lal exhorted the NRIs to be vigilant about corruption in India and march shoulder to shoulder with BJP in rooting it out. He listed the corruption scandals that have been tumbling out of the cupboards of UPA government chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi and each new scandal is worth more than the previous scandal in its scale and the worth.
He cited BJP’s innovative schemes such as “Lakshmi Ladli Yojana” that has been implemented in Madhya Pradesh state where girl child has immensely benefited and the scheme being adopted by not only the BJP ruled states but also the other states. Similarly, he gave examples of innovative programs conceived and implemented in Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and other BJP ruled states.
He reminded that Chattisgarh government got award from UNO for the best implementation of Public Distribution System (PDS). He concluded that NRIs have much role to play for the betterment of their land of birth and land of their ancestors, Mother Bharat and reminded them of their cultural roots that believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (whole world is one family) and even the illiterate elders in India’s rural areas bless their young saying “Vishva ka Kalyan ho” (whole world be blessed).
Earlier, Shri Vijay Jolly reminded Indian Americans that major milestones achieved in modern day India had roots with Pravasi Bharateeyas in the form of Gadar Movement in USA, non violent agitation in South Africa, or movements in England. He exhorted Indian Americans to support the BJP in the coming elections and help create corruption free, developed and knowledge hub India.
He reminded them that BJP was the first party and the only party that believed in the strength of its overseas children. It started Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be held every year in the month of January which provides platform for the Pravasi Bharateeyas to exchange ideas and share their concerns. He also reminded that BJP was the only party that proposed dual citizenship to NRIs but Congress led UPA government took half measures in granting OCI card which is not a citizenship card in reality.
He continued that BJP has always strongly believed in the capabilities of NRIs and Indian origin people from overseas and sought their participation in working for the overall development of India. He said that BJP was the first political party from India to open an overseas wing in the USA.
He added that he is opening several OFBJP chapters across the world encompassing all continents in line with the BJP’s vision of creating a strong contingent of overseas ambassadors of India. He said that BJP is the only party in which an ordinary Karyakarta (party worker) may become the Party President.
He said that BJP is going to win the 2014 parliament elections and added that even foreign officials and delegations, and the people of India are placing increasingly greater confidence in the BJP.
Shri Mahesh Mehta in his inaugural address explained about the duties of a Karyakarta and reminded the OFBJP karyakartas about the sacrifices made by Pandit Deendayal Updhyaya and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherji the founding father of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) a precursor to the current BJP. He gave guidance to OFBJP and Indian American community that what ever they do, they should do without self interest but with the attitude of “Nation First, Party Second, and Self Last.”
The program started with the invocation of Lord Ganesh followed by floral tributes to Bharat Mata and BJP’s founding fathers. A traditional lamp lighting ceremony was conducted followed by the rendition of Vandemataram, India’s national song. Shri Rakshpal Sood acted as the Emcee and conducted the program in a seamless fashion. Shri Gajendra Solanki, Co Convener of BJP Cultural Cell and an eminent poet and ballad singer, enthralled the audience by singing patriotic songs, reciting poetry on contemporary politics, and telling situational jokes to the applause of jam packed audience.
Shri Jayesh Patel in his presidential address welcomed the BJP guests and the audience. He introduced OFBJP NEC and NC members, recognized prominent community leaders, and talked about the OFBJP goals and mission.
He elaborated on how OFBJP has been expanding with 21 chapters with thousands of membership across the nation. He sought the cooperation and support of the community for OFBJP in its endeavor to build strong Indo-US relations.
Shri Chandrakant Patel talked about the activities of OFBJP and explained the OFBJP programs across the nation and how OFBJP addressed NRI issues in USA and in India. He pledged continuous support of OFBJP to the Indian American community causes and issues.
Earlier, Shri Suresh Jani, Past President and Member of NAC, introduced Dr. Mahesh Mehta; Dr. Adapa Prasad introduced Shri Vijay Jolly and Shri Chandrakant Patel introduced Shri Ram Lal. OFBJP souvenir, that was edited by Shri Ram Kamath, General Secretary, was inaugurated by the BJP dignitaries. Smt. Kalpana Shukla, Shri Bala Guru, Smt. Meenu Sharma, Smt. Neelima Madan felicitated the guests.
OFBJP leaders who graced this meeting and worked for its success were Prof. Dinesh Agrawal – Past President, Sr. Member of NAC, Chair of PR committee; Shri R. P. Singh – General Secretary Org; Shri Krishna Reddy – National Treasurer; Shri V. K. Sabhapathy – Deputy Treasurer; Shri Arun Madan – NC member; Shri Bhushan Tadepalli – Jt Secretary; Shri Nimish Dixit – Jt Secretary; Dr. Gaurav Khatri – Secretary (CA); Shri Aravind Modini – Active Member; Shri Raghu Varma – Chief Coordinator (DC); Vasudev Patel – Secretary (GA); Himmat Parikh – Jt Gen Secretary; Shri Lalji Goswami – Chief Coordinator (FL); Shri Ramesh Shah – Sr. Member of NAC;, Shri Amar Upadhyay – Vice President (IL); Shri Naresh Badiyadra – Vice President (NJ); Shri Arvind Patel, Chief Coordinator (NJ); Shri Janak Rawal – NC member; Shri Pramod Bhagat; Shri Giridhar Sadu, Shri Sameer Chandra, and Ramana Muppala – Active Members; and Dr. Satish Misra – Jt. Gen Secretary have graced the meeting and worked for the success of this meet.
Other community leaders who graced this occasion were Shri Piyush Patel and Shri H. R. Shah. The highlight of the concluding program was the enactment of the play “Bharat Darshan” in which over 50 women participated wearing attires of various states in India to the applause and appreciation of the audience.
Shri Ram Rakshpal Sood gave vote of thanks followed by the delicious dinner served by Jewel of India caterers.
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