Friends of MP Conclave draws thousands

NEW YORK CITY (TIP): “I am here to make friends”, said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, amid applause from the audience, at the Friends of MP conclave at the iconic Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, February 1.

 

Despite inclement weather more than 3000 people traveled to the centre of New York  to cheer Shivraj Singh Chouhan, when he arrived here to launch the initiative to connect the global  citizens with Madhya Pradesh and India. On the second day of his six-day visit to the tri-state area on  the US East Coast, Chauhan formally launched the Friends of Madhya Pradesh initiative (www.friendsofmp.com).

 

The website is the  first of its kind of initiative by any state in the country following suggestion by  Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi that sought the creation of a global talent pool as a network of its friends anywhere in the world.

 

Amid claps of a full house filled with NRIs, state senators, US congressmen and congresswomen, and other important business and community leaders from across New York, New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut and other neighborhoods, beats of drums and dholaks, the fluttering of national flag, Chief Minister  and guests on the dais formally inaugurated the website friendsofmp.com by putting hands on the globe that symbolized the connected world and with that the site went live on a giant screen right above the stage.

 

In his half-hour Hindi speech interrupted by loud applauses at several intervals and slogans in praise of Bharat Mata (Mother India) on various occasions, the chief minister stated that his government for the last decade has not only been undertaking welfare measures, but also useful employment-generating programs that have changed the face of the state.

 

With GDP at  11.08 percent and more than 20%   rise in agricultural production in the last several years, the state has become one of the fastest growing states in the country.

 

Citing estimates and positive outlook, he said India would soon overtake China in economic growth and Madhya Pradesh will take a significant part in that process.

 

He mentioned that after Narendra Modi became the prime minister in May 2014, the self-confidence level of Indians-inside and outside the country-has risen in a significant way. Now  no longer the “policy paralysis”, the hallmark of the previous government, exists at the Center and in states.He added that Modi is not just the leader of India, but he is on the path to becoming a world leader. He spoke of the assets of his state-  a 24-hour power supply, availability of enough water, and calm and peaceful industrial climate. Around 26,000 hectares of land bank has been created to cater for potential investment and industrial opportunities. Steps are being taken to ensuring up to 30 percent police force is female in order to tackle more efficiently the crimes being perpetrated against women.

 

He spoke about several issues that included religious harmony, America-India relations, and BJP‘s determination in providing good governance and clean administration.

 

Chief Minister  honored the recipients  of recent Padma awards on the occasion and praised their contributions and sought their services to India in general and the central state in particular.

 

“I bring the best wishes of 7.5 crore (75 million) residents of Madhya Pradesh to you all,” he said. “You contributed to this society immensely and now you must do the same to India, your motherland.”

 

A view of the gathering singing the American National Anthem Photos/ TIP- Prashant Desai-pradev98@yahoo.com 732-318-0130
A view of the gathering singing the American National Anthem Photos/ TIP- Prashant Desai-pradev98@yahoo.com 732-318-0130
Singing the national anthem
Singing the national anthem

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