Saturday, May 3rd 2008, Chicago, IL: The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi addressed the 1500 crowd gathered at the Jain Temple in Chicago via live telecast on India’s TV 9, the relay made possible by Dreamakers and broadcast on DishNetwork. The entire program, organized by the Bharat/Gujarati Samuday of North America, was being telecast live and was viewed by people residing in India, USA and Canada. The people of Chicago had assimilated to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the state of Gujarat and were joined by people from all over the country. Dr. Vithal Dhaduk, Mr. Albert Jasani, Mr. Suresh Jani were a few who had flown in from New Jersey to be a part.

Gujarat Din celebrations are taking place nationwide with New Jersey Senior Citizens having just done it and New York and Pennsylvania events are up coming. The highlight and attraction of the program was the address of the popular and sometimes controversial Chief Minister of Gujarat who not only spoke at length on the growth of the state but also fettered numerous questions posed from the audience. The event was coordinated, organized and hosted by Dr. Bharat Barai, Subhash Bhatt, Hasmukh Patel, Sitaram Patel, Kanti Patel and Babu Patel under the banner of Bharati Samuday of North America. As repeatedly shown on the wide screens, the event was supported by many associations including Gujarati Samaj, Aga Khan Foundation, Gayatri Pariwar, Care and Share, BAPS, Kadwa Patidar Samaj, Association of Jodhpur in America, Bhram Samaj, Ekal Vidhyalaya, FIA, Fogam, Friends of India Society International, Gujarat Association, Gujarat Pragati Mandal, Hindu Heritage, Indian Christian Federation of Midwest, Jalaram Mandir, IAMA of IL, Jain Society of Metro Chicago, SGPS, Lohana Mandal, MAFS, VHP of America and many more. The representatives were all acknowledged on the stage.

The simple and speech free event began with a 15 minute presentation by the Ismaili Aga Khan Midwest Pipe Band of Chicago, after a dinner served by BAPS temple volunteers. The national anthems were sung, sponsors and associations leaders recognized before the appearance of the CM himself. Amongst numerous issues, he spoke passionately about the growth of Gujarat and his vision. He said that the day is not far when we will be able to speak to family members living in the remotest of villages via live telecast due to the broad band services becoming readily available in Gujarat. He joked that a prospect son-in-law could be interviewed on a daily basis too. Dr. Bharat Barai, Chairman of the event, although his high profile and extensive involvement in the planning and organizing of the event, played a low key part. This fact was highlighted when the CM quoted that Dr. Barai had named everyone but himself to be thanked. The down to earth Oncologist gave the entire credit to team effort.

Dr. Bharat Barai, although has been a public figure all his life, recently came into controversial limelight when he was named as one of the three people who authorized and placed the negative ad about Sonia Gandhi in New York Times and sued with a $100 Million libel lawsuit by the Indian National Overseas Congress.

Dr. Barai, who serve as President of the Medical Licensing Board of the State of Indiana, one of the highest Administrative medical positions to be held by an Indian, - laughed when questioned about this. “There is not a waif of connection” he said. “I knew nothing about this ad until I was served the papers”. In fact, he called up the plaintiff, Dr. Surinder Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer of INOC and asked why he was being named. Dr. Malhotra replied that “my lawyer must have put your name.”

“I am an Indian first and foremost” says Barai who does not believe in partisanship. He has been on the Medical Licensing Board since the 2000, now serving his third term. He was appointed for his two terms by Democrats and his third term by a Republican. The same applies to Indian politicians. In the last 25 years, he has extended his hospitality, hosted numerous receptions and worked closely with politicians such as Siddharth Shanker Ray, Somnath Chatterjee, IK Gujjral, Shanker Singh Vaghela, LK Advani, all Indian Ambassadors in US and even for Modi before he was a CM. Despite his ranking connections and profile, he has never been affiliated or a member of any political party. If anything, he is known for his active lobbying for the Nuclear treaty in Washington.

Questioned about this being seen as a OFBJP event, he scoffed at the idea and corrected me by saying “This is a Gujarat Din celebration organized by the Gujarati Samuday of North America.” Regarding his sentiments towards the CM, he said “Do we like Narendra Modi – Absolutely. He is a great Chief Minister.”

Dr. Bharat Barai, whose name was dropped by the lawyer who did not even question his involvement, plans to counter sued for defamation suit against the Indian National Overseas Congress and Dr. Surindrer Malhotra Additionally, he plans to take disciplinary action against the attorney Mr. Karasik for naming him without ascertaining the basic facts. According to Dr. Barai, an attorney has an obligation to do his homework and verify the basic facts before filing a law suit. Dr. Bharat Barai states that he does not indulge in such activities and even if, out of some bizarre reason he did, he would have had the guts to stand by it all the way. Now he’s asking Dr. Malhotra and his lawyer for answers and it is likely going to cost them both dearly.

None of the news and lawsuits tainted the perfect Gujarat Din celebrations which after all is all about unity and growth of Gujarat and India as a whole.