VADODARA: With memories of a visa rejection still fresh, yet another NRI organisation from the US has called Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to the US, this time, in September. After the Federation of Indian Association (FIA) invited Modi in July for a convention of Gujaratis, the Association of Indian Americans of North America (AIANA) has invited him for the World Gujarati Conference at New Jersey.
The association created in 1994 is trying to convince US officials to provide a visa to Modi.
"We expect around 30,000 NRIs from across the globe at the convention, which will revolve around the theme of 'Chalo Gujarat'. We are in constant touch with our counterparts in the US, who are trying to ensure that the CM gets a visa this time," international co-ordinator of AIANA Pranav Amin told media persons here on Wednesday. Amin added that AIANA president Sunil Nayak, is in touch with several other associations in North America to pressure the US government. AIANA has, in fact, called prominent politicians from across the board including Ahmed Patel, Shankersinh Waghela, Praful Patel and Dinsha Patel. The association, which claims to be apolitical, has also invited the Ambanis ��� Mukesh and Anil ��� along with prominent literature, sports and spiritual personalities. AIANA's convention will be held at Teriton Centre in New Jersey from September 1 to 3. Amin adds that the convention is aimed at bringing all prominent Gujaratis on a common platform to create a network and push the development of Gujarat.