Kenya’s Indian diaspora has been urged not to miss the historic welcome event planned for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 10.

The grand event has been organised by Dr. Manu Chandaria, the Convener of the Advisory Committee of the Karibu (Welcome in Swahili) Kenya Modiji Planning and Coordination Committee.

“We have played a significant role in Kenya’s development and want to create an image as builders of this nation. We are in our fifth generation in Kenya and yet some sections of the indigenous population are not aware of our role in the development of this nation – we must address that,” Chandaria told The Indian Diaspora.

“PM Modi’s visit to Kenya will improve our prestige as people. We need him to create a face for us, better than what we have right now. And if we want to continue our presence in this region for another century, we must remain united as an Asian community and continue to contribute to development…that will open the door for the progress of our communities.” Dr. Manu Chandaria appealed to the Indian community to register themselves and motivate at least 10 of their friends and relatives as well.

“Let our numbers show our strength,” said Dr.Chandaria, who is a leading industrialist, community leader, and philanthropist, who has been honoured with numerous awards, including the Pravasi Bharitiya Samman.

The Modi speech on July 10 has been billed as Nairobi’s Diwali event of this year.

Dr.Chandaria launched a registration portal, www.kenyawelcomesmodi.org, for the landmark event on June 6.

Dr. Chandaria said the turnout would go a long way in repositioning the image of Indians in the minds of the Kenyan people.

He said all forms are verified by the relevant community organisations as submission does not guarantee free admission.

The application deadline was June 18 and about 10,000 have reportedly applied for the expected 20,000 strong audience. The venue in Nairobi has not been disclosed yet due to security reasons as Kenya has suffered terror attacks in the past.Kenya hosts one of Africa’s larger Indian diaspora that waits in anticipation. Indian diaspora members from neighbouring countries are also expected to attend this event.

Kenya has an estimated 80,000 Indians with 50,000 in Tanzania, around 20,000 in Uganda and 13,000 in Zambia.

KaribuKenyaModiji brings together the Indian community in Kenya from diverse religious and social backgrounds, generations and regions. Although Indians have sailed to East Africa for 2,000 years and established shops on this coast, the modern migration started with the building of the Uganda Railway in 1896 with around 2,500 workers.

More joined them over the years. The vast majority of Kenyan Indians came from Gujarat with strong links with India. Punjabis came next followed by other communities. The Indian diaspora in Kenya is diverse and there are several associations representing different communities, which run places of worship and schools.

The Hindu Council of Kenya is an umbrella body with organisations of other groups of Sikhs, Ismailis, Bohras and Goans among others.

Indians are also expected from neighbouring countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo and Zambia. The event is billed as ‘a must attend’ spectacle with a cultural show featuring the best of Indian and Kenyan African talent. Of course, the highlight will be a landmark speech by Prime Minister Modi.

KaribuKenyaModiji pays tribute to the deep ties between India and Kenya, highlighting the important contribution made by members of the Indian Diaspora in all walks of Kenyan life.

“KaribuKenyaModiji is honoured to host this new global visionary who will give us a glimpse of India in the years to come as it forges new paradigms of growth and success for not just Asia but also the rest of the world,“ said the organisers.

The ‘Karibu Kenya Modiji Organising Committee’ is an organisation promoting Kenya-India relations for communities, by communities.

The committee “pays tribute to the deep ties between India and Kenya, highlighting the formidable contribution made by members of the Indian Diaspora in all walks of life in Kenya.”

Source: http://theindiandiaspora.com/