Non-Resident Gujarati  Associations of Tri-State under the leadership of Nikul Patel, Harshad Patel and Mitesh Patel organised a warm welcome to visiting Gujarat Congress leaders Shaktisinh Gohil, Jivabhai Patel and Urmilaben Patel.

Around 1,200 leading NRIs attended the facilitation function. The main function was held at the Gujarati Samaj Community Hall in Flushing NY to welcome and honour the visiting leaders. New York State Senator Toby Stavisky, a strong supporter of the Indian community, welcomed and honoured the visiting leaders with a citation from the New York State Senate. Senator Stavisky was also instrumental in declaring the Gujarat Day on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Gujarat state. Senator Stavisky in his brief address mentioned the contribution of the Indian American community who runs more than 70,000 convenience stores and more than 12,000 hotels in the US.

South Asian community leader Dilip Chauhan introduced Senator Stavisky and also spoke about how the Indian American community, especially the Gujarati community, is contributing to the American economy.

R D Patel, chairman of the Gujarati Samaj, in his welcome speech spoke eloquently and praised Gohil for his accomplishments. Prominent leaders of Indian community like Padma Bhushan and Ellis Island Awardee Sudhir Parikh, chairman of NFIA, Ramesh Patel, Dr Malhotra from INOC, Ellis Island of Medal Awardee Pam Kwatra, INOC NJ, president of Gujarati Samaj Manikant Patel, Atma Singh from Indian Congress,  George Abraham from INOC–I, chairman of FIA  Ramesh Patel also spoke and honoured the visiting guests.

Chamber of commerce NJ Bhavesh Patel, VP of Gujarati Samaj Bipin Patel, Surati Samaj chairman Khandu Patel, North America Kerala Association president  Zach Thomas, Dipak Valsadia, Rahul Bathla, Harbhajan Singh Chairman of Saul Weprin Democratic Club, Dr. Varghese Abraham, Virendra Patel from NRI Overseas Affairs, Trustee of Gujarati Samaj  Hirubhai Patel, Zinda Singh from Nargis Dutt Foundation, Eric Kumar INOC NY president, Mitesh Patel from House of Dipali,  Ron Patel past president of Gujarati Samaj, Dipak Valsadia, Mihir Patel from Engineering and Architect Society actively participated in the function.

Irrespective of party affiliations, many people from New Jersey and Connecticut were present in the event to welcome the leaders from their motherland.

During his speech Shaktisinh Gohil mentioned the progress made by India and also touched upon NRI issues like the problems they faced at the arrival and answered questions from the audience.