KOCHI / KOZHIKODE: The Gujarati community across the state is rejoicing over the elevation of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.
In Kozhikode, to share the joy of a fellow Gujarati, the community will celebrate his achievement with a family get-together on the Gujarati Street on Monday evening. A huge screen will be erected on the premises of the Jalaram Seva Trust Temple to watch the swearing-in ceremony.
“We don’t have any special liking to any political party. We support Modi because he is an icon of Gujarat’s development and we expect a significant change under his leadership. Under the government headed by Modi, the community is expecting economic growth for the country,” Gujarati Samajam and Sri Gujarati Vidyalaya secretary Jayanth Kumar said. To share their joy, the community members will distribute sweets and a feast will be served after the swearing-in ceremony.
According to Deepak Poojara, who is leading the celebrations in Kochi, it is a symbolic ceremony to show solidarity to their leader. “It is open only to the Gujarati community and will be a simple ceremony. We will gather at the Navneet Krishna Temple on Palace Road. This will be our way to extend our greetings to Modi.”
The community leaders and organisations such as Kochi Mahajan community have extended support to the celebration. ‘‘It is a matter of great pride for the community as he is selected on the basis of merit,’’ said Arvind J Shah, Kochi based Businessman.
Meanwhile, NaMo Brigade, Modi fans, will start the day with a free meal at General Hospital in the presence of Justice V R Krishna Iyer. The swearing-in ceremony will be screened live on a big screen at Rajendra Maidan.
“Special poojas are also arranged at various temples, including a day’s pooja, Deepakkazhcha and 1,008 ‘kathinas’ (firework) at the Ernakulam Shiva Temple. Sweets including ‘Moolikkapp Payasam’, from the Thirumala Devaswom, and a special payasam made by the Ernakulam Karayogam will be distributed,” said its secretary C G Rajagopal.