Golden elephants welcomed Governor Christie to the event
The South Asian community sure does like NJ Governor Chris Christie.
At a recent celebration in West Windsor, NJ Governor Christie was welcomed with golden elephants, beautiful Indian ladies dressed in stunning silk saris and a whole lot of enthusiasm from NJ state registered voters.
“I came today just to say thanks to the Governor for doing a great job. It’s tough being the Governor of NJ,” said a gorgeous Indian girl dressed in a designer Manish Malhotra chiffon sari laced with swarovski crystals.
The Governor was a special invited guest at the annual
2013 Marathi Vishwa Ganesh Celebrations, a festive and religious program that welcomes the “birth” of Lord Ganesh, the popular elephant headed Hindu God known for removing obstacles from one’s path and one in which millions of Hindus across the world pray to. Coincidentally, Governor Christie has a Lord Ganesh idol placed in the Governor’s Mansion Drumthwacket in Princeton.
Governor Christie being thanked by the Indian community for his hard work with Dr. Kulkarni in the background.
I have been attending the annual Lord Ganesh event for years now with my parents and this year the biggest attraction was the Governor’s appearance.
“Our state is a state that has great opportunity but also great challenges,” the Governor told an audience of 1200 during his pin drop silence speech.
“So many people come to our state for opportunities and when they get here, they are also confronted here with those challenges. What I have done the past four years is to try to move some of those challenges out of your way.”
A round of applause from the audience.
The Governor meeting children of the community during the event
“As I look out in this audience, I know that besides being successful in business…that each and every one of you has found your own way to contribute to the strength of the fabric of our communities…that is one of the powerful things about NJ.”
The Governor then went on to say that New Jersey residents feel a strong connection to the 566 municipalities and to the town they live in. He also pointed out that folks who have belief in the principles that have made NJ strong like hard work, integrity, honesty, strong families and a deep believe in God, are things symbolic of the community and the state.
He ended his speech with a quote from his mother.
“Christopher, first things first…do the job you have in front of you as best as you can…and your future will take care of itself.”
After the Governor’s speech, I spoke to a few of the guests to see what their thoughts were about what he said.
The hand made portable temple that my dad built is used every year to place the Lord Ganesh idol in
“He has a very tough job and he is doing a great one. We need him again in office!” said Dr. Joshi, a physician from northern NJ.
“I think the Governor was right in saying that the South Asian population is the fastest growing one in the state. Our community is attracted to NJ for its jobs, schools and of course temples, which now has 15,” stated one gorgeous Indian lady dressed in a god brocaded silk sari and decked in gold jewelry.
Afterwards, Christie took a walk to the Lord Ganesh idol to take “darshan” (auspicious viewing & blessings) with the guests. The idol was place in a handmade temple that my dad made years ago as part of the celebration. My dad adds to it ever year and this year he decided to add red lights which looked awesome!
Guests danced and played Indian drums as the procession to bid Lord Ganesh “goodbye” began
The Marathi Vishwa organization, www.marathivishwa.com, a community group of Marathi speaking people was started by my parents started over 30 years ago for the same reason what Governor Christie mentioned in his speech- to contribute to the great community of NJ. The organization which my mom named, is now going strong after 30 years with thousands of members from all over NJ.
The celebration continued outside and into the evening
The Governor’s appearance gave the Indian community increased hope and satisfaction that he will continue to give his best to the state and its people in the next four years.
The journey continues and for Governor Chris Christie, a one filled with strong support from the Indian community of the Garden State.
Ravi
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October 12, 2013
You’re stories are always so lively, however I have to say this is the one I’m most fond of because you infused your family’s culture. How interesting that your father built that vibrantly adorned portable temple, with lord Ganesh beautifully dressed in cascading flowers. I would love to attend one of your events just to be immersed in a day of culture!