For the first time , India’s upcoming general election has evoked an unprecedented interest among non-resident Indians in the USA more than they show even in their own local USA government elections.
The impact of Indian elections on the Indian community abroad is so strong that the ethnic media in the U.S. have been widely carrying the “NaMo” coverage and reports of “Chai pe charcha” sessions in various cities to mobilize volunteers for the Indian campaign. Local Indian ethnic newspapers have published reports under headings such as “Indian diaspora in USA launches ‘Vote for India’ campaign,” and “ Volunteers get warrior-like send off to India.”
For the first time, a large contingent of NRIs is leaving for India at their own expense to enter the political battle field and campaign for the BJP-led NDA government and Narendra Modi as prime minister. During Atal Bihari led NDA government, India was considered to be upcoming superpower along with China. For the last few years globally everyone talks about China as upcoming superpower but no one mentions India in the same context. The sordid state of affairs in India under the Congress government for the last 10 years, marked by the massive corruption scandals, lack of governance and lack of growth deeply touched the psyche of NRIS who are pining for a strong, stable and secure India, free of corruption.
NRI’s feel that the current situation in India is so grave that there is only one hope and that is Narendra Modi and by supporting this cause they want to serve mother India. In January 2014 , a survey conducted by independent group showed that 77% of the NRIs in USA want Narendra Modi as next PM to lead India as compared to 6% for Rahul Gandhi and 17% others.
When the Bharatiya Janata Party named Narendra Modi as the candidate for prime minister, the NRIs sensed a ray of hope. They saw his successful governance of Gujarat resulting in all round growth, both in the agricultural and industrial sectors, 24 hours of electricity and water in all villages and good road network. Several NRI’s are of the opinion that a BJP government under Modi is not only in the interest of India but also for the NRI’s living abroad.
NRIs strongly believe the BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi can be the only party capable of bringing about the change needed in India.
Motivated by the passion for a strong and stable India, six months ago some committed activists in the U.S. formed the Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV) to spread the message of “NaMo for PM” and the Mission 2014 program by organizing Chai Pe Charcha/NaMo Chai Parties, Walk for Unity, Yoga for Unity, and other similar programs across all important cities in USA.
The group’s two-point agenda called for enhancing reference calling effort, and recognizing volunteers traveling to India with sole intention to galvanize the voters in favor of NaMo.
In last one month alone, more than 100 Chai parties have been organized across US in the following cities: Edison, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Parsippany, Mahwah in New Jersey, Washington D.C, Tampa and Orlando in Florida, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas in Texas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York and other cities and States where there is considerable Indian population.
Ramesh Bhutada hailing from Vidharbha region of Maharashtra and one of the core team members of GIBV said,” In the past 10 weeks, thousands of volunteers across USA have made calls to family and friends in India and urged them to vote for a stable and secure India by voting for the BJP/NDA and Narendra Modi. The reference calling project already had a tremendous impact. The Indian families in turn were asked to call their friends and urge them to vote for BJP. NRIs have received a positive feedback from their families and friends in India who are very appreciative of the interests shown by Indians living thousands of miles away”.
At least 30 people from the Houston area alone along with hundreds of volunteers from all over USA are visiting India and participate in the active poll campaign on the ground.
The mood is something like a wedding in the family, where friends and families are invited for the happy occasion.
Mission 2014: Congress Mukta Bharat
Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV)
Tel: 570-884-GIBV
Email: m2014.gibv@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.
