Gandhinagar, 2 November, 2011

It’s a routine event that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi hosts every year after Diwali, whenever he gets time. It’s a Diwali lunch for media persons. This event is organized at Chief Minister’s bungalow in Gandhinagar every year. About 100 media persons take part in this event on average.

Modi organized Diwali lunch this time on Wednesday, 2nd November.

In the video above you can watch a sequence of Modi’s gettogether programme. It starts with Modi coming to stage and Gujarat BJP President RC Faldu, senior minister Vajubhai Vala and central BJP Vice President Purushottam Rupala taking sit.

Modi doesn’t talk much, just couple of token lines. And he invites all for lunch. Before sitting for lunch Modi ensure that his party leaders take sit with him. This is clear indication that no journalist should come and sit with him.

So Modi hosts lunch for media persons, but doesn’t seat with them. He seats with party leaders. Some media persons come and talk with him briefly. You can watch Headlines Today lady reporter speaking to Modi on lunch table in brief.

Later Modi meets journalists by taking a quick round. You can watch Modi speaking with Zaverilal Mehta(Gujarat Samachar photographer). Modi tells how Zaverilal Mehta is only Brahmin, that too a Brahmin from Halvad who doesn’t eat in lunch. Brahmins and especially Halvad Brahmins are otherwise known for their love for food. Standing with Zaverilal Mehta is Shri Bhaven Kachhi(Gujarat Samachar columnist and sports journalist).

LiveIndia TV camera person seeks signature of Modi for his son.

Modi denies photo op to a person standing in crowd. Modi said photo round was over. Modi asks India TV correspondent Nirnay Kapoor to keep good health. Aaj Tak’s Gujarat correspondent Dhimant Purohit tells Modi that he is giving difficult task to Kapoor. To this Modi says that Kapoor doesn’t care for his health.

Media person asks Modi about his throat problem. Modi agrees that he has some problem there.

Overall the media persons who attended this event felt that it seemed like a token event organized routinely and formally. There was no heart in place.