A special seminar was held in the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ahmedabad, on the role of Non-Resident Gujaratis on August 3. Special speakers in the lecture were London-based Publisher and Editor of popular newsweeklies Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, CB Patel, and Padma Shri Vishnu Pandya. Also present were GCCI president Shailesh Patwari, vice-president Jaimin Vasaa, additional secretary (NRI), Govt of Gujarat NP Lavingya, chairman NRG Foundation KH Patel, and co-chairman Digant Sompura. The programme began with KH Patel introducing CB and Vishnu Pandya and the former's consistent support to the Asian community in the UK. Shailesh Patwari welcomed all present and gave a brief description on the help forwarded by the government to GCCI and the NRG Centre.
Based in the UK for over 51 years, CB informed that the contribution of NRIs, particularly Gujaratis remains immense, evident from the very fact from the 27 non-white Members of the British Parliament, 14 are Gujaratis. Speaking to a room overflowing with members of the NRI and government circuit, CB said that NRIs and NRGs are actively present across all sectors such as education, professional field, trade, business and all other commercial and business segments in the UK.
He also praised the liberal approach of the British Government, stating that all support- financial and otherwise, are provided for various purposes to the community. The government also encourages the learning of the Gujarati language in the UK. About religious acceptability and adaptability, he said London alone boasts of 187 temples. CB called upon Gujaratis and the state government to increase their visits to Britain, to facilitate more interaction with the NRGs and provide information on the ongoing projects of the government undertaken for the NRGs.
