Ritu Jha-
Jugal Malani , Chairperson, Texas India Forum (TIF) and the man behind the “Howdy Modi” community summit, titled “shared Dreams, Bright Future” where world largest and oldest Democracy leaders jointly addressed the Indian American community says “it’s a dream come true, a once in a lifetime event.”
“I would say it’s bigger than anything I dreamt about,” Malani, CEO of Unique Industrial Product Company, a Mechanical Engineer and philanthropist told indica and added that the prime minister Narendra Modi praised this event of making it possible in less than 60 days.
“The event got 40 minutes delayed but it was a great event beyond our expectation,” Malani replied when asked about the mega event on Sunday, Sept 22. attended by over 50,000 at the NRG Stadium, Houston.
Sharing about the preparation, that started Aug.1, and attended by over 50,000 people and the cost to host such a grand event said, “It was over $2 million.”
More than Madison Square Garden in New York and the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
“I think people were ready to give and support the event,” said Malani and added it’s Modi’s Charisma.
“We have a great team working, so there was no room for nervousness,” he said and over 1300 volunteers of which some are working 24/7,” said Malani.
On Sept 22, after the speech, Modi had lunch with over 1000 community people. This included all the elected officials, CEO’ of companies, donors, etc. The luncheon was at the NRG complex adjacent to the main stadium.
This entire event was possible because of the effort of the Houston community. They all came under one roof and gave their time and money to make the event a super successful mega-event just as the saying “Everything is big in Texas.”
Modi stage would though on a huge stage…with digital LED backdrop. “Giving he stage a very professional look.”
Sharing about the meal served to Modi, said all his meal has been prepared by Houston based famous chef Kiren Verma, an Indian restaurant in Houston got the contract to preparing Modi Thali.
She would be preparing a special “Modi Thali.”
And all meal served to Modi was prepared by her. However, for the over 2000 community people luncheon, the food has been prepared by another restaurant. Called Madras Pavilion. He is serving free meal to 1000 people.
He was very excited to get the contract and he wants to show his love for Modiji.
Both restaurant partners Mahesh Shah and Rajan Radhakrishan owner at Madras Pavilion on serving free food to 1000 guests at MRG Center told indica they are a strong supporter of Modi.
“We love him because he is a great leader,” said Radhakrishnan owner at Madras and added they have served many for the charitable cause but this one we thought is national pride.
“We feel fortunate serving over 2000 guest,” Shah told indica.