The Indian-American community from New York-New Jersey area gave a grand welcome reception, organized by the Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party, U.S.A., to visiting Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari July 12 at Royal Albert’s Palace, Fords, N.J.
Addressing a huge gathering, Gadkari said he was happy to be amongst the Diaspora and humbled by their love for the motherland.
He claimed that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is marching forward rapidly and has become a bright spot among the world economies in just two years. He said the past governments with the exception of Vajpayee-led NDA, have ruined India and corruption had become the hallmark of their governance. With the advent of Modi, he said, the beginning of corruption-free and transparent governance has started.
Gadkari said that Infrastructure is the key to any country’s progress and Modi entrusted the key portfolio of road transport, highways and shipping to him keeping in mind the great work he had done during his tenure as the PWD minister in Maharashtra. He said he has taken up an ambitious target of taking national highways from 96,000 kms to 200,000 kms.
Another ambitious step taken by his ministry is the development of inland waterways that will transform transportation, resulting in savings worth thousands of crores of rupees. He said that all that was needed was an honest leader with a vision like Modi, and India can achieve.
Gadkari congratulated the Indian Diaspora for its achievements and contributions in the fields of IT, medicine, engineering and other sectors in the U.S. and invited the members to share their ideas and knowledge, adding that the government will extend help in every possible way.
He noted that NRIs have excelled in many areas but at the same time they had not left their Indian values. “It is these values, family system, traditions which are based on Hindu philosophy and made them strong wherever they went,” Gadkari said.
Earlier, Aravind Modini, national convener, external communications of OFBJP, welcomed the audience. After the traditional lighting of the lamp and rendition of the United States and Indian national anthems, OFBJP President Krishna Reddy spoke briefly on the various activities of the group and stressed the need to reach out to the U.S. lawmakers, think tanks and the Indian Diaspora and make them familiar with the achievements of the NDA government. He mentioned that OFBJP was actively involved in taking up the issues NRIs face in the U.S. and help find solutions. Reddy invited the audience to connect with OFBJP as it is “the best platform” to serve India.
Gadkari felicitated Reddy who recently took over the reins of OFBJP as its new president. Jayesh Patel, its past president, appealed to the audience to connect with OFBJP and work for the welfare of NRI’s and the Diaspora.Some of the event sponsors included Navin Mehta, Vinod Kodur, Anil Monga, Albert Jasani, Shobana Patel, Hardeep Singh Gold and Atma Singh.
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