[ NATIONAL AFFAIRS ]

OFBJP convenes National Meet in Chicago

Vijay Jolly, BJP convener of OFBJP, bolstered the USA chapter of the organization as he conveyed the party’s mandate for strengthening the US body to march forward in its activities. He said that there is only one OFBJP in USA, which is currently headed by its President, Dr. Adapa Prasad. He inaugurated the OFBJP National Council Meeting held in Chicago, IL from July 22-24 at Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows, IL. Over 60 plus delegates across the nation attended the 3 day National Council meeting while over 200 Indian Americans attended the public program. The special emissaries of national BJP was represented by Vijay Jolly-Convener of Overseas Affairs; and Shri Shanmuganathan- Additional Secretary of BJP Parliamentary Party; The invited guests were Kishen Reddy- President of AP State BJP; Mrs. Poonam Mahajan- National Vice President of Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM); and Suresh Chavunke- Chairman of Sudarshan TV and Sai channel. Dr. Adapa Prasad, the President of OFBJP-USA has presided over the convention and Amar Upadhyay, OFBJP-USA General Secretary was the convener of the meeting in Chicago.

Dr Prasad regaled the audience with his experience in running and administering OFBJP. Vijay Jolly enthralled the audience with his inspirational speech and exhorted the delegates to step up and work for OFBJP with renewed vigor. He conveyed the best wishes of Nitin Gadkari, President of BJP, to OFBJP. He asserted that there is only one OFBJP in USA that is being represented by the current National Executive Committee headed by Dr. Adapa Prasad.

The morning session of July 23rd started briskly with Amar Upadhyay, Conference Convener, welcoming all the guests.

The meeting was inaugurated and declared open by Vijay Jolly. It was followed by a video presentation of BJP’s progress and forward march. In his highly inspiring and powerful speech, Jolly talked about the dramatic changes occurring across the political, economical and social landscape of India. And an important role being played by BJP to influence these changes in positive manner to make India strong, secure and prosperous. He stressed on the need for OFBJP-USA to interact with US federal and local lawmakers to educate them on various Indo-US bilateral issues and matters that affect these issues and the views of BJP. He also reminded a very attentive audience about the opportunities, challenges and situations that BJP is facing today. He stressed upon the implementation of performance audit and set the agenda for OFBJP for the next 6 months that includes workers training sessions in the five zones across the nation. He appreciated the work done by OFBJP in reaching out to the larger Pravasi Bharatiya community and wanted the OFBJP membership and support base expanded in the coming months.

Kishen Reddy delivered an excellent speech touching upon the topics of terrorism, corruption, and nation building. He asked the delegates to help their brethren in India as well as in USA who are in need of help. He asked OFBJP to do some social service as well in addition to its mandated activities. He cited the example of the plight of TriValley students and how OFBJP-USA helped them by taking up their cause with the Indian Embassy, US state department and White House and governor of California. Kishan Reddy, the young, dynamic and popular BJP leader of Andhra Pradesh, appealed to the audience to tap the influence of NRIs to bring back our cultural values, and strive to help achieve winning the 2014 election for BJP.

The late afternoon session on BJP Matters – Indian American perspective was moderated by V.Shanmuganathan (Additional Secretary- BJP Parliamentary Party). The session dealt with BJP matters in the modern age and how natural partnerships need to be evolved at a global level. In the opening remarks he said that BJP is fine-tuning the policies. He specially stressed on the selfless service to the party and the national cause. Dr. Richard Benkin talked about the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh and the need for greater partnership between USA, India and Israel. Pramod Kumar Buravalli (Editor-

Pravasi Kamal) gave a presentation on how the BJP is and should differ from the Congress at the policy level. Anil Goswami and several new delegates gave their presentations in quick succession about the need for BJP to grow and outgrow its rivals across the board. Shanmuganathan concluded this session with giving his insight on the decision making process at the apex level of the BJP and shared some information about the BJP’s plans for the future.

[ BY YOGESH KARIKURVE ]