Dubai: Members of the Indian diaspora are eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 16 and 17.
Tens of thousands of Indian expatriates are expected to attend a public reception for Modi at the Dubai Cricket Association (DCA) Stadium on August 17.
An official organising committee called Namo in Dubai has been set up to make arrangements and has launched a website, www.namoindubai.ae, to invite online registration for attending the reception.
K. Kumar, convenor of the Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC) in Dubai who is overseeing the arrangements, told Gulf News: “We formed namoindubai for the express purpose of overseeing all arrangements for this event. People need to log on to www.namoindubai.ae, fill in all their details and click register. They will receive a confirmation and then they need to take a print-out of the registration page with them along with a valid photo identification card to participate in the event. This is important so that we get an idea of the numbers and also on account of the security arrangements.”
Dr B.R. Shetty, chairman of NMC Health Care, outlined the preparations: “This news has brought together thousands of indians from different walks of life — members of a variety of Indian associations for the Sikhs, the Bohri Muslims, the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, the Jains — have volunteered to participate in the organisational work. Indians have responded in huge numbers already.”
Although the DCA event is being organised on the lines of Modi’s celebrated Madison Garden event, no entry fee will be charged for the audience. “Many prominent Indian businessmen have come together to foot the bill for the arrangements but doing so without any commercial interest. The audience just needs to register and come on the day with copy of their registration card and a photo ID. Their entrance to the event is completely free. There will be no labelling or branding of the event,” said Shetty.
Ram Buxani, President of the ITL group and one of the members of the organising committee, told Gulf News this was one of the most important state- level events in over three decades. “After 34 years, an Indian prime minister is making this effort and it is widely appreciated by the Indian diaspora. The over two million Indians in the UAE were feeling neglected and this visit will not only refresh the bilateral trade and cultural relations between the two countries, it will also reinforce the strong sense of belonging in the expatriates by pumping in greater self-esteem and confidence.”
Incidentally, Dr Buxani was also a member of the organising committee over three decades ago during former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1981 and feels blessed to be doing this again and recalls receiving the late prime minister at Dubai airport.
Dr Jameel, Managing Director of Prime Health Care Group, felt this visit was an acknowledgement of the Indian community’s achievements and contributions. “Prime Minister Modi’s development-oriented agenda is in sync with the progress being made by the UAE and his visit will help further enhance the image of our country.”
