Seminar on   Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) In UK : Their  Role In UK  & Their  Economic Relations with Gujarat

From  left Shri K H Patel, Hon. Chairman,  GCCI  NRG Committee /Centre; Shri Saurinbhai Parikh, Hon. Secretary`  , GCCI; Dr. Jaimin Vasa, Sr. Vice President, GCCI; Shri Shaileshbhai  Patwari, President, GCCI; Shri N.P. Lavingiya, Additional Secretary, (NRI) , Government of Gujarat; Shri C. B. Patel, Publisher & Editor, of Weeklies “ Gujarat Times” & “ Asian Voice” (UK)  ;   Padamshree  Vishnu Pandya  Renowned Author & Political Analyst & General Secretary , Vishwa Gujarati Samaj ; Chairman , Gujarat Sahitay Academy , Government of Gujarat  and Shri  K.D. Asari , Director, Non-Resident Gujarati Foundation (NRGF) , Government of Gujarat

Under the joint aegis of   Non Resident Gujarati Foundation (NRGF)  of Government of Gujarat and GCCI NRG Committee / Centre,  Seminar  on “  Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) In UK : Their  Role In UK  & Their  Economic Relations with Gujarat”  was  organised on Thursday ,3rd August  2017  at GCCI. Principal speakers on the occasion were Shri C B Patel  Publisher and   Editor of  Weeklies "Gujarat Samachar" and "Asian Voice", UK & Padmashree  Vishnu Pandya  General Secretary  Vishwa Gujarati Samaj, Ahmedabad Renowned Author   & Political Analyst Chairman, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, Government of Gujarat.

President  Shri Shailesh Patwari, Senior Vice President   Dr. Jaimin Vasa  and Secretary  Shri Saurin Parikh  were also on the dais. The audience included about 150 invitees. Smt. Shibaniben Desai, Chairman, GCCI Women Wing; Shri Subhash Modi, Co –Chairman, GCCI Indirect Tax Committee  and others were also present . Times of India; Navgujarat Samay; Divyabhaskar  ; Gujarat Times (USA); Gujarat Samacahr (UK) ; and Asian Voice (UK)  have covered the event.

Shri C.B. Patel,  said that  that the contribution of NRIs , and particularly  Gujaratis , was immense which was evident from the fact that amongst twenty seven  non-white Members of  British  Parliament , fourteen are Gujaratis . Shri Patel added that NRIs and Gujaratis are  present across sectors such as education, professional field, trade, business  and  other commercial  segments in UK. Speaking about the liberal approach of the British Government Shri Patel said that the  Government provided financial and other support for learning Gujarati. London alone had 187 temples which also spoke volumes about the  religious tolerance existing in Britain. Looking at the considerable contribution of NRIs and Gujaratis ,Shri Patel called upon people of Gujarat and the Government to increase their visits to Britain to facilitate more interaction with the NRGs and provide information on the ongoing projects of   Gujarat Government which are undertaken for the NRGs.

Padamashree Vishnu Pandya, said that currently India/Gujarat and UK may be equals  but the biggest contribution of UK to India was the institutionalization of Democracy in our country.
Shri Pandya added  that Indians and Gujaratis  stalwarts such as Pandit Shyamji Krishna Verma, Dadabhai  Nowroaji, Vithalbhai Patel, Sardar Vallabhbhai  Patel and many others had  contributed in their own way towards the relations between  India  and  UK. Shri Pandya further said that  Gujarat Sahitya Academy  will   ogranise an   International Gujarati Language Conference  and all are invited.

Shri N.P. Lavingya, Additional Secretary, (NRI), Govt of Gujarat   informed that the NRG Foundation of Government of Gujarat carries out various activities for the benefit  of  NRG with a view to contribute towards development of the State. Amongst the  notable activities of the Foundation was the launch of Gujarat Card  wherein the NRG cardholders were provided priority treatment in  Government Departments and they were also eligible for other benefits.


Shri Shailesh Patwari, President, GCCI while welcoming the distinguished guests said that  GCCI NRG Committee /Centre has been doing benfiecal work towards NRGs and  he thanked to Government for the support extended  to the GCCI NRG Centre . He mentioned that there were number of areas  where India and UK can work together. Earlier in his introductory remarks, Shri K.H. Patel, Chairman NRG  Committee  /Centre of GCCI gave  an overview of the activities of the  Centre acknowledged the presence of important  NRG  Diaspora in the  programme and informed that NRGs were very actively investing in the State. Shri Saurin Praikh, Hon. Secretary, GCCI proposed a hearty vote of thanks.