by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Modi's watershed 'Howdy' moment at Houston
Trade Deal may be announced with Trump in Toe
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Sep 19
The PMO is giving final touches to the Minute 2 Minute (M2M) program of the joint rally at Houston with US President Donald Trump on Sunday next. Though the organisers of the historic event is Texas India Forum. But its the BJP's foreign affairs department and the PMO which are overseeing the entire arrangements. Vijay Chaowthaiwale, in-charge of the BJP's foreign affairs department has been camping in Houston for the past ten days and in regular touch with the PMO.
The PMO is in regular touch with the White House finalising minute details of the three hour program. There are indications that Trump may not stay for the full duartion of the Howdy Event. But back channels are between the two governments are at work to sort out these details. There is also a possibility that Trump may make some announcements to reduce trade tensions between the two countries. The US in June terminated India''s designation as beneficiary developing country under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) program.
It is learnt that 20 prominent MLAs from Gujrat belonging to the BJP and few MPs have already left for Houston to drum up support among the Gujrati community.
Over 60 US lawmakers, including senior Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer, are also expected to attend the event.
Though the entry tickets have sold out for the event at the stadium having a capacity of 50000, the entire US is on fire due to the massive publicity campaign in the social and other media outfits. The organisers, Texas India Forum, have even closed a waitlist registration for free passes.
The term 'Howdy' is a shorthand for “How do you do?", used commonly in southwestern United States. To showcase the diversity of the Indian-American community, the organizers have put together a 90-minute cultural extravaganza - "Woven: The Indian-American Story" - that will feature 400 artistes and community members from Texas and across the US.
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