BJP victory 2019 and India Independence Day Celebrations
The Vijayotsav (2019 BJP victory) and India Independence Day Celebration organized by the Overseas Friends of BJP, Phoenix Chapter, held at Ekta Mandir, Phoenix on August 24, 2019 started with hoisting of flags of USA and India (Bharat), followed by congregational singing of the National Anthems of USA and Bharat. That was followed by presentation of the development schemes by BJP Government from 2014 led by Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi. Sri Rama Krishnan and Sri Ravi Garg presented the various schemes implemented by Modi Government for the wellbeing of the people of Bharat. The audience were attentively and interactively listening to understand about the big positive changes that Modi Ji has brought to Bharat in a short span of 5 years.
At 7 PM, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi Ji addressed the gathering and gave an inspiring talk through video conference from Bharat. MeenakshiJi started by stating about the unfortunate demise of Sri Arun Jaitley Ji and upon her request, the audience stood up for a two minute silence to pay respects to the departed leader. Meenakshi Ji went over the various measures and projects implemented by the BJP Government led by PM Modi for the wellbeing of the people of Bharat, the recent repeal of Article 370 for proper integration of Jammu and Kashmir with Bharat and initiatives for women welfare and justice. That was followed by a short Q&A session and Meenakshi Ji briefly went over as how NRIs can contribute to help the BJP Government and India during this session. What was so much admirable was the absolute silence and rapt attention with which the audience listened to Meenakshi Ji.
That was followed by presentation of Russian collaboration and Projects in India(Bharat) by Sri Konstantin Izmailov. Konstantin Ji presented details of high tech Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant that has relieved perennial power cuts in Tamil Nadu. Later Konstantin Ji presented the Make In India defense projects like manufacturing of Kamov Helicopters, Kalashnikov Rifles in Uttar Pradesh etc and Russian high tech defense systems for better security for India and her people. Konstantin Ji concluded the talk stating how Russia has been an all-time ally and friend of India and how PM Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin changed the stagnant relations toward rapid growth of both nations through collaborative efforts.
We then briefly talked about Temporary provision of Article 370 that was recently repealed by Government of India, and that it was done for better people to people movement between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and mainland Bharat and for improved economic activity for welfare of the people of J&K and presented two videos by Imam Tawhidi and French journalist Sri Francois Gautier, who categorically state that Kashmir has always been an integral part of India (Bharat) even before Islam came into existence. Later, Sri Seshu Acharya presented the activities of Overseas Friends of BJP across USA and how by becoming members of OFBJP, NRIs can contribute to help bring positive changes in Bharat through collective efforts.
That was followed by the melodious singing of Vande Mataram led by Smt Lakshmy Krishnan along with audience co-singing with patriotic/dharmic fervor. Later, children led chanting of Bhagawat Gita slokas, and explained the meaning in broader context. The program was concluded by prayers for the wellbeing of PM Modi and entire world, with the collective chanting of the Mangala slokas from the Upanishads and Bhojan Mantra and later the attendees enjoyed a sumptuous dinner sponsored by many restaurants.
We are very grateful to our sponsors for successful conduct of this event and those are Hyderabad Rasoi - Phoenix, Patel Brothers - Chandler, Om Indian Bistro - Phoenix, Chennai Fusion Grill - Chandler, Pastries N Chaat - Chandler, Biryani & Bites - Chandler, Star of India - Chandler, Dileep Pillai - Geneva Real Estate & Investments, Sri Jitendra Kabra, Sri Nitin Jain.
We are grateful to many volunteers like Punit Garg, Sreejith Srinivasan, Jayanth Bharadvaj, Mudit Saxena, Vinod Thakur, Vikran Sachan, Rohit Pawar, for helping us organize this event as also to Ekta Mandir Temple staff.
Jai Hind
OFBJP Organizing Team : Ravi Garg, Ajay Bavle, Vishnu Sharma, Anand Khamitkar, Seshu Acharya, Viraj Desai, Rama Krishnan.