Narendra Modi â€˜virtually speechlessâ€™ in US?

GANDHINAGAR: Already popular among expats, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is working harder to wow the powerful non-resident Indians, who have significant influence back home. He is planning to reach out to Indians — especially Gujaratis in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East — ahead of the 2014 elections.

Modi's office is lobbying hard to get the CM to address three big NRI gatherings scheduled in the US in September via video-conferencing - something he has been doing ever since the US decided not to give him a diplomatic visa after the 2002 riots.

There seem to be no hurdles in organizing most of his virtual appearances, except for the one he is most keen on: Modi wants to address a special function in Chicago on September 11 to mark the 120th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda's famous speech to the World Parliament of Religions. The event is supported by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).

The list of invitees includes US President Barack Obama, former president of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam and top religious leaders from across the world. A senior official in Modi's office said getting a slot is a struggle because of the Union government's control over the ICCR. Modi idolizes the swami, whose real name was Narendra, and believes that only he can deliver a soul-stirring speech like the one in 1893.

"The CM is keen to speak at the event given its symbolic significance - 9/11 marks the terrorist strike on New York's World Trade Centre as well as Vivekananda's famous speech on universal brotherhood, tolerance and religious harmony. Speaking at the Chicago meet would reaffirm both his association with Vivekanada as well as reinforce his image of an anti-terror campaigner," he said.

Modi is also likely to address the world Gujarati conference organized in New Jersey from August 30 to September 1 and a function organized by Friends of BJP in USA in September-end via video conference.

Modi supporters in the UK, Canada and Australia are planning several other events before the Lok Sabha elections to mobilize the Indian community.