Edison, New Jersey, USA:  More than 300 members of the Indian American community came together in Edison, New Jersey, to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday and to honour Parshottam Rupala, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister. The gathering was hosted by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) NY-NJ-CT-NE, with support from several community groups.

Rupala, often referred to in Gujarat as the “Lion of Saurashtra” for his long-standing service, addressed the audience with an inspiring message. “You are the true reflection of a modern India,” he said. “Your accomplishments in America highlight the immense promise of our nation and further deepen the bonds between India and the United States.”

Speakers at the event drew connections between Rupala’s political journey and Prime Minister Modi’s legacy. FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, speaking in Gujarati, praised Rupala’s dedication and emphasised the Modi government’s continuous engagement with the diaspora. Kenny Desai, a former FIA President, shared memories of Rupala’s influence during the “Jan Seva Yatra” and quoted poet Zaverchand Meghani to highlight his vision of steady and determined progress.

Dr H.R. Shah, Chairman of TV Asia, placed the celebration in a broader historical context, pointing to Gujarat’s tradition of producing influential leaders and linking it to Modi’s years as Chief Minister. Community leader Piyush Patel hailed Gujarat as India’s “top-performing state” under Modi and described Rupala as a loyal BJP figure who has served for 34 years.

Other speakers, including FIA President Saurin Parikh, FIA Convenor Sreekanth Akkapalli, and Dr Avinash Gupta, spoke about the community’s efforts to uphold Indian traditions while thriving in the U.S. Dr Gupta, who also represents Shree Siddhivinayak Temple USA and several other organisations, stressed the importance of safeguarding the Indian American legacy.

The evening featured a cultural performance of the Gujarati classic “Mor Bani Thangat Kare” by singer Abhesinh Rathod. To conclude the program, a special proclamation was presented to Rupala in recognition of his enduring role in strengthening India’s connection with its global diaspora.