On the evening of Saturday 30th March 2013 Shri Narendra Modi interacted with former Speaker of the USA House of Representatives and leader of the Republican Party Mr. Newt Gingrich via Skype. Mr. Gingrich was impressed by the development of Gujarat in various fields and attributed it to the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi. He pointed that if USA had Gujarat’s growth rates over the last ten years, the nation would have been a lot healthier than what it is right now. He also spoke about the popularity of Shri Modi’s leadership, which has taken Gujarat to newer heights, in USA.
The Chief Minister talked to Mr. Gingrich about Gujarat’s success in various spheres such as agriculture, effective water management, employment creation and skill development. Mr. Gingrich told Shri Modi, “There is a lot we need to learn from Gujarat and your leadership as Chief Minister… What you have achieved in Gujarat is a remarkable achievement in improving the quality of life of your own people… At a time when all around the world there are economic challenges you have a model of success rather than failure.” Mr. Gingrich said that he looked forward to seeing Shri Modi in USA.
Mr. Gingrich further added, “We are going to be very good ambassadors in the USA of the great things you have been doing in Gujarat. We would love to come over and have a deeper and more complete understanding of al that you are achieving.”
Shri Modi thanked Mr. Gingrich for his avid interest in the development of Gujarat. Shri Modi pointed out that Gujarat has a true friend and a guide in Mr. Gingrich. He invited Mr. Gingrich and members of the Republican Party for the 2015 Vibrant Gujarat summit. He also invited a youth delegation from the Republican Party to visit Gujarat.
The three USA Congressmen, Mr. Aaron Schock, Ms. Cathy Rodgers and Ms. Cynthia Lummis, who met Shri Modi on Thursday 28th March 2013 were also present on the occasion. Representative Rodgers said, “We are so inspired by Chief Minister Modi’s leadership. What they (Gujarat) have accomplished here is so impressive.” She talked about the Gujarat Government’s commitment in attaining hundred percent school enrollment and added that the state has been impacting the lives of the people and giving them opportunities more than they ever had in the past.
On Shri Modi’s leadership, Representative Rodgers said, “I came here knowing Mr. Modi being called the Ronald Reagan on India. Chief Minister Modi is a person who has both the inspiration and the ability to execute.”
Prominent NRI businessman Mr. Shalabh Kumar and BJP leader Mr. Vijay Jolly were present on the occasion.
