A website setup by the Indian Community Welfare Committee ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dubai on August 17 is offering people the opportunity to meet the visiting official. The website allows people to register to attend the premier's public reception, which will be held at the Dubai Cricket Association Stadium.
This will be the first visit for an Indian premier to UAE soil since 1981. Speaking to Khaleej Times about the anticipated event, the convener of the ICWC K Kumar said: "The NaMo organizing committee is working overtime to ensure that all facilities are provided to the community members who wish to attend the PM's reception. Indian associations and the India business community have all joined together to assist the organization of the event. It has already generated a lot of enthusiasm in the community across the UAE."
Indian expatriates make up the largest ethnic community in the UAE with 2.6 million expats, equal to 30 percent of the population of the Gulf country. To attend the public service, the website namoindubai.ae allows those interested to register their details. After registering, registered users will get a confirmation email that should be presented with a valid photo ID on the day of the event.
Modi's visit is meant to highlight energy, trade and security partnership between the two countries, with the PM visiting both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"The Indian diaspora contributes a lot to India and I truly believe that PM Modi's visit will open a number of doors for the Indian Community to not just feel but rather indeed be closer and more connected to our mother country," Shamsheer Vayalil, member of the organizing committee, told Khaleej Times.
The organizing committee has been working hard ahead of Modi's arrival to make the necessary security arrangements while making sure to catering to a large audience.
"We are making all the possible efforts to ensure that the entire Indian community can become a part of this historic visit. We are hoping that this is a first of many visits by the Indian PM to the Emirates," Vayalil said.