With American representatives. From left G Kishan Reddy, Ananth Kumar, Narendra Modi, Harishankar Gupta, Naresh Rawal and Bala Subramaniam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to America. Modi visited America for the first time in 1993. At that time he had stayed in America for a month. After this, he went to Germany from America for 10 days. Recently Divya Bhaskar went to America with Modi in 1993.
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Why did Modi go to America in 1993?
From left outside the White House… Kishan Reddy, Narendra Modi, Balasubramaniam and J. Walters.
The American Council of Young Political Leaders runs an exchange program for young politicians from other countries including America, under which seven young politicians from India reached America. These seven young politicians include 3 from Congress, including Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy from Andhra Pradesh, Naresh Rawal from Gujarat and Harishankar Gupta from Delhi, 3 from BJP, including Narendra Modi from Gujarat, Kishan Reddy, Ananth Kumar from Karnataka and Janata Dal from Tamil Nadu. Bala Subramaniam was included. Of these, Ananth Kumar and Bala Subramaniam have passed away. Sudhakar Reddy and Naresh Rawal are currently in BJP. Modi’s 40-day visit to America and Germany began on July 10, 1993.
We used to talk in Gujarati: Rawal
Naresh Rawal, who took over as the Industries Minister in the Chimanbhai government of Gujarat state in 1993, said – We used to stay together from morning till evening. I was greatly influenced by his words and thoughts from the very beginning. He had the ability to emerge as a leader. People from other states used to talk in Hindi-English, but Modi and I used to talk only in Gujarati. Programs of Gujarati community are often organized in America. We used to participate in them too.
Modi visited flood affected areas by helicopter
Naresh Rawal and Narendra Modi.
Naresh Rawal said, we traveled to different cities of America and saw a lot. At that time, there were floods in North and South Dakota of America, so we were shown how to control the situation by visiting the flood affected areas by helicopter. The Democrat also discussed India policy with members of the Republican Party.
At the same time, Harishankar Gupta, associated with All India Youth Congress, said that during that time various issues were discussed with him. I thought our biggest achievement on that tour was that the US government took us to NASA and showed us the whole of NASA. After this we were also taken to the White House.
At that time Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy of Congress from Andhra Pradesh said- There, we were Indians first, later leaders of different parties. When we all met in Delhi, we had decided that we would be the first to represent Indians in America. Our ideologies may be different, but we are Indian citizens and sons of India. Let us tell you, Sudhakar Reddy has joined BJP since 2019.
I had taken chutney powder with me
From left to G. Kishan Reddy, Narendra Modi and Sudhakar Reddy.
In America, we used to tell the name of our party only when we introduced ourselves to someone. In the US we met with congressional representatives, senate members, congressmen, mayors and governors. Talking about food, Sudhakar Reddy says – Even though it was 31 years ago, even then Indian food was available in many places in America. But, I still took many things from South India including chutney powder.
Advani said- go clean shaven
G Kishan Reddy was the national general secretary of BJP Yuva Morcha at that time and is currently the Coal-Mines and Minerals Minister in the Modi government. Regarding his visit to America, he said – At that time only five days had passed since my father’s death. But, respecting the mandate of the party, I came to Delhi from Hyderabad. At that time BJP President Lal Krishna Advani took the class of me and Narendra Bhai. That is, it was explained how to remain disciplined in America, how and what to talk to whom. At that time Narendrabhai and I had grown beards. He told us to go to America clean shaven.
Narendra Modi with Suresh Jani.
Only Narendra Bhai used to ask questions
Kishan Reddy further said- When we used to meet various officials on America trip, it was mostly Narendra Bhai who used to ask questions. Whatever the officer or any other person said or explained, Narendrabhai used to record it in the diary. He listened to everything very seriously.
Modi also used to do puja in the early morning – Deepti Jani. Suresh Jani, who lived in America, passed away in 2018. His wife Deepti Jani said in the conversation – My husband is originally from Mehsana and he came to America in 1987. He was associated with BJP since childhood. Whenever any BJP leader comes to New York or New Jersey, he used to stay at our house. At the time we had a store in New York City and lived in New Jersey.
The idol of Goddess Saraswati was given as a gift.
Suresh Jani with wife Deepti, son Amit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Deeptiben says- Narendrabhai came to our house in 1993. I did not talk much to Narendrabhai, but I used to listen to the conversations happening between him and my husband. Kishan Reddy and Ananth Kumar also stayed at our house along with Narendra Modi for a few days. Being a Gujarati, Narendra Bhai had special respect for us. Narendra Bhai is like an elder brother to me.
He used to wake up every day at five in the morning. By the time the rest of the people woke up, even their prayers would be done. He gifted us an idol of Saraswati Mata and the second time he came, he gifted us an idol of Ganapati made of sandalwood. Suresh gifted a watch to Modo. Whenever Modi met Suresh, he used to show him the watch given by him.
Mother-in-law had said- you will become the CM of Gujarat
Narendra Modi with CK Patel in California.
Deeptiben further says- ‘When Narendrabhai was about to bid farewell to our house, my mother-in-law had blessed him that one day he would become the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Along with this, he was also given a shagun of 51 dollars. When Narendra Bhai became the CM of Gujarat for the first time, he even called my mother-in-law.
when we arrived at a restaurant
Sharing another incident, Deeptiben said- I still remember it well. We went to eat at an Indian restaurant in New York. There, we were told that for $13 you will be given 13 dishes. When the bill came after we had our meal, Suresh immediately started paying the bill, but Narendrabhai stopped him and said that the food did not have as many dishes as told. After this we got a discount of 5-6 dollars from the restaurants. He advised Suresh not to be hasty in money transactions. After this he asked to give the discount money to the waiter as a tip.
When Narendrabhai’s passport was lost: Rasikbhai
Narendra Modi in Disneyland, California.
Suresh Jani’s special friend Rasikbhai told – When Narendrabhai saw the height of the Statue of Liberty, he said that we cannot build such a statue in Gujarat? Meaning that in 1993 itself, he had dreamed of building the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. After becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he fulfilled this dream. Recalling another incident, Rasikbhai said – Narendra Bhai’s passport was lost at that time. However, we immediately got a new passport from the Indian Embassy.
Modi goes to the root of every matter: CK Patel
Gujarat’s C.K. Patel is a hotelier in California. Narendra Modi also stayed at his house for three days. Patel told- My brother had gone to pick him up at the airport. For three days we went to different places and also met many of our friends from Gujarat.
CK Patel further said- When he came to California, it was very hot. At that time, three of us were sitting in a non-AC car, which you cannot even imagine. During that time we were very restless, but Narendrabhai was absolutely calm. They adjust themselves everywhere. Apart from this they have curiosity. When he saw something new, he was not satisfied with seeing it, but went to the root of it and got all the information.
Also visited Universal Studios and Disneyland
CK Patel with Narendra Modi.
Narendrabhai wanted to see Universal Studios and Disneyland in California. That’s why we went there also. Also did a sports ride on the beach. Narendrabhai is very fond of photography. Whenever he saw something good, he would ask us to take photos. He loves antiques. He used to read and listen to the information related to it very seriously.
Modi had arrived with two pairs of clothes in his bag.
Recalling his first meeting with PM Modi, Dr. Bharat Barai said- ‘Swami Vivekananda had given a lecture in the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1893. Narendra Modi came to Chicago with BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi to participate in his 100th anniversary. I was the one who went to the airport to pick him up. During that time he stayed at our house for 10 days. Narendra Modi was an RSS worker then.
Narendra Modi with Dr. Bharat Barai.
When Modi came to our house, he had a small 22-inch suitcase, which contained only two pairs of clothes. The first thing I told my wife was, ‘I know that in America they send clothes to the laundry only once a week, but I have brought only two pairs of clothes. That’s why my clothes will have to be washed every day.
Sharing another anecdote of PM Modi, Bharatbhai says- We used to discuss daily over tea. He was very saddened by whatever was going on in the country at that time. Once while talking about the country, his eyes suddenly became moist.
Bharatbhai says smilingly – When the PM was at my house in Chicago, we used to discuss different issues every morning while drinking tea. Therefore, I can say that the discussion on tea started from my house 31 years ago.