Express News Service Posted online: Friday, March 25, 2005 at 1001 hours IST Updated: Friday, March 25, 2005 at 1432 hours IST
Ahmedabad, March 25: Chief Minister Narendra Modi has invited Florida Governor Jeb Bush to visit Gujarat.
Sounding more like a salesman selling Gujarat to the world, more that a wronged Chief Minister who was denied entry to the US, Narendra Modi made the invitation while addressing the members of the Asian American Hotel Owners’ Association in Fort Laurendale, Florida, from his official residence in Gandhinagar on Thursday evening.
He made it a point to avoid unneccessary controversy and mainly spoke about role expatriates in helping Gujarat flourish. Modi said his invitation to Jeb Bush, the brother of the US president, was to give him ‘‘a taste of real hospitality’’.
Earlier, addressing a sizeable gathering in Florida, AHOA chairman Nash Patel categorically stated that his organisation stood by the invitation extended to Modi. ‘‘We stand by our invitation to our CM Modi,’’ he said.
Patel told the gathering that past few days had been extremely difficult as several American companies had backed out from the sponsorships they had promised, due to the controversy over the visa denial. ‘‘But we respect their decision and I would like to tell you that this has made us stronger,’’ he said.
Stressing the need for self-sufficiency for Indians and more particularly Gujaratis settled in the US, Patel stated that the AHOA has decided to pass a resolution called AIRS as a first step towards self sufficiency.
‘‘We had a board meeting to decide whether our CM Modi should address a gathering through video conferencing,” said Modi.
“I am glad to say the decision was taken unanimously,’’ he stated, as board members of AHOA, stood beside him on the stage with saffron bands on their hands.
Modi, while thanking the fraternity for their support, explained at length, how the expats could help Gujarat flourish.
Ahmedabad, March 25: Chief Minister Narendra Modi has invited Florida Governor Jeb Bush to visit Gujarat.
