On the 13th November, Prime Minister Modi will be felicitated by over 60,000 fans at Wembley stadium. The Europe India Forum is organising this event, and within days of its announcement, over 60,000 people registered their names.
What is the secret of Narendra Modi's public adoration?
When PM Modi went to the USA on his second prime ministerial trip, he was again enthusiastically greeted by a large and admiring audience. With approval ratings of over 70% in India, he has a level of popularity unseen by other incumbents. Despite being unpopular with some people in India and abroad, who are vastly outnumbered by those who have today placed their trust in him.
Rewind 5 decades, and one sees a fascinating journey. Between 1967 and 1981 the young Narendra Modi published articles, poems and stories in several Gujarati publications: chiefly Sadhana and Chandni. His writing's main themes were Matrubhakti (devotion to mother) and Desh Prem (love of the nation). During the State of Emergency in India under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi wrote articles against the curtailment of civil liberties. In 1977, he published a book called "Sangharshman Gujarat" (Gujarat in struggle). I have had the pleasure and privilege to have read all these publications, and it is plain to see that his values are part of his appeal.
For the last 20 years, Narendra Modi has been visiting the UK, initially as the Pracharak of the RSS, later as BJP General Secretary, then as Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. I've been fortunate to help organise his public meetings in the UK, as well as some in India for visiting non resident Indians, and it is unfortunate that the tragic events of 2002 in Godhra - where 59 Hindu pilgrims were burnt alive and the subsequent riots led to the deaths of almost 750 Muslims and 430 Hindus - continue to blinker the views of people unfamiliar with the Narendra Modi that many of us know.
For several years, the coverage in English language media, mostly based outside Gujarat was more emotional and from third party sources, while the Gujarati media had the advantage of local information and the initial campaign from some quarters to malign Modi and Gujarat were exposed in due course. The Congress led UPA Government, in spite of their best efforts, failed to nail down Narendra Modi. Even the Supreme Court of India has cleared Modi of all such allegations.
Fortunately, as last year's general election of over 550 million Indians voters showed, Narendra Modi's brilliant oratorial skills, hard campaign work, and focus on economic progress coupled with democratic ideals have not just won the BJP and Narendra Modi his position, but have also attracted the hearts and minds of the Indian diaspora globally.
PM Modi's overseas visits to nearly 30 countries in the last 18 months has, he would have expected, awakened the interest of oversea Indians in the development of their ancestral homes. Such visits also has spread worldwide that the doors in India are open for vestments and business.
British Indians, and their friends from other countries, warmly welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his historic state visit. The British government, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, has been working assiduously with the Indian government to closer ties between the world's largest and oldest democracies, and we are all aware that increased mutual cooperation will lead not only to manifold benefits for both our countries, but may also benefit the world. We wholeheartedly welcome Prime Minister Modi.
CB Patel
Editor/Publish of Asian Voice/ Gujarat Samachar
This article has been written by CB Patel, for The Europe India Forum Souvenir before Modi's visit to the UK.
