OFBJP-USA NJ Chapter Celebrates 75th Birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi with Enthusiasm and Community Spirit

• Vijay Shah

EDISON, NJ (TIP): Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP-USA), New Jersey Chapter, organized an event on September 20, 2025, at the ITV Gold Auditorium in Edison, New Jersey, to celebrate the 75th birthday of Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. The gathering was attended by community leaders, volunteers, and well-wishers from across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Narendra Modi, currently serving his third term as Prime Minister, turned 75 on September 17th. Widely regarded as one of the most popular leaders in the world, Mr. Modi’s life and leadership were honored during the evening. The program also commemorated Telangana Liberation Day, which falls on September 17th, marking the historic 1948 integration of the Hyderabad state into the Indian Union under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s leadership.

The event was well organized and drew a large crowd. Food donations were also collected for the Community Foodbank of New Jersey (CFBNJ).

Mr. Gunjan Mishra, a volunteer and the emcee of the evening, opened the program by welcoming attendees and expressing gratitude to all for joining over the weekend. Ms. Kalpana Shukla and Mr. Vilas Jambula commenced the event with  “Vande Mataram.”

OFBJP-USA President Mr. Adapa Prasad, who traveled from the Washington, D.C. area, then addressed the gathering. He described Prime Minister Mr. Modi as a “God-sent gift” and a symbol of sacrifice, simplicity, determination, and inspiration for India’s 1.4 billion citizens. He also reflected on the significance of Telangana Liberation Day, recalling Operation Polo in 1948, when the Indian Army ended the Nizam’s rule to secure India’s unity and integrity.

Padma Shri awardee and community leader Dr. Sudhir Parikh delivered a keynote address. He praised Prime Minister Mr. Modi as a living embodiment of the principle of “Nation First.” Dr. Parikh also shared memories of his early interactions with a young Mr. Narendra Modi, alongside leaders like Mr. L.K. Advani and Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He noted that it was Mr. Modi  himself who encouraged him to launch a television channel to broadcast Indian culture and news in America, which ultimately became ITV Gold. Today, the channel broadcasts Doordarshan news daily in the U.S.

Mr. Charan Singh, an award-winning community leader, and Ms. Shukla jointly gave a presentation on the impact of Modi ji’s governance since 2014, highlighting landmark schemes such as:

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (financial inclusion)
• “Make in India” program (boost to domestic manufacturing)
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission)
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (education and safety of girl children)
• Goods and Services Tax (GST), unifying state and central taxes
• Ayushman Bharat (healthcare access for low-income families)
• The Ram Temple movement and inauguration in 2024
• Revocation of Article 370 (special status of Jammu and Kashmir)
• National Education Policy 2020
• COVID-19 vaccine development and global distribution under “Vaccine Maitri”
• Space achievements such as Chandrayaan-3’s successful south pole landing in 2023

Other milestones noted included initiatives like Digital India, direct benefit transfers, the Statue of Unity, and widespread infrastructure and transportation development.

Mr. Krishna Reddy, former president of OFBJP-USA, described Mr. Modi ’s life journey as proof of what can be achieved with vision as “vast as the ocean” and determination as “firm as the Himalayas.” He then invited guests to join in the ceremonial cake cutting to celebrate the Prime Minister’s 75th birthday.

Several dignitaries, including Mr. Suresh Patel (President of FISANA), Mr. Rajan Singhal (ITServe Alliance), Dr. Sudha Parikh, Ms. Deepti Jani, and others, also addressed the gathering and extended their heartfelt greetings. The event concluded with Ms. Anita Chadha singing a birthday song for the Prime Minister.

The organizers expressed gratitude to all community members, attendees, sponsors, and volunteers. Special thanks were extended to Dr. Sudhir Parikh and the ITV Gold team. After the indoor program, many participants joined in a community-led food donation drive in the parking lot for CFBNJ. By the end, donations filled the trunks of three cars, reflecting a compassionate gesture by the community to mark the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.