Gujarat Samachar marking its 50-year anniversary, hosted the Glorious Golden Jubilee Awards in the House of Lords on Monday 6 February 2023. The awards were held to mark the newsweekly’s 5 decades in serving the community under the able leadership of Editor-in-Chief CB Patel and paid tribute to the community of successful Indian entrepreneurs, globally.
PM Rishi Sunak congratulated and extended his best wishes to CB and the newsweeklies on this occasion. A letter from PM Sunak read: “Both Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar remained popular for many years, ensuring that the relationship between both countries are treasured. I would like to take a moment to congratulate Mr CB Patel and the team for their dedication and hard work which is just as valuable today as it was.”
Lord Loomba was the host of the event. Among guests were Lady Loomba, Lord and Lady Dholakia, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Lord Rami Ranger, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Baroness Usha Prashar, Mr Vijay Sharma, Virendra Sharma MP, Bob Blackman MP, Deputy High Commissioner of India Sujit Ghosh, High Commissioner of Uganda, HE Nimisha Madhvani, Director Nehru Centre Amish Tripathi, Mission Head Mauritius High Commission Disha Ragnuth. Other guests included Cllr Krupesh Hirani AM, Cllr Ramji Chauhan, SBI Regional Head UK & CEO Sudhir Sharma, Director FICCI UK Dr Param Shah, The Bhavan UK Chairman Subhanu Saxena, BAPS Trustee Dr Mayank Shah, Dr Bharat Shah CBE, Manubhai Ramji, Shashibhai Vekaria, Navnat Vanik Association President Dilipbhai Mithani, Sangat centre CEO KantibhaiNagda, Vinod Thakrar, Zaki Cooper, Rishi Patel, Kamal Pankhania, Merul Patel, Heritage Bengal Global Director Anirban Mukhopadhyay, World Tamil Organisation Founder and Chairman Jacob Ravibalan to name a few.
The voice of Asians in UK
During the opening of the Golden Jubilee Awards ceremony, Lord Karan Bilimoria said “CB and his publications have grown through the years and become the voice of nations in the UK. We have also grown side by side. But that kindness and humility of CB has never changed.”
“We are celebrating Golden Jubilee and 50 years of Gujarat Samachar, which is no mean feat for any organisation or business. Look back to 50 years ago. In 1973, who looked at India as an economy with any respect? But look at where India is today. India has the presidency of the G20. Now the whole world is looking to India, as a country with second biggest economy. So that's where we are. That's the journey. 50 years of the UK, 50 years of India and 50 years of CB Patel, the voice of Asians in the UK.”
Serving Asian communities for 50 years
Welcoming the guests, Lord Loomba praised the achievements and leadership of CB Patel. He remarked “From Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, CB Patel is serving the Gujaratis and other Asian communities and spreading the knowledge. In short, I can say that he is on a mission to help the community, stand with the community and fight for the rights of the common people.
“Under his visionary supervision in the past 50 years, our families stood by the Asians who were expelled from Uganda, Gujarat Samachar started a movement for the rights of Asians and raise their voice. CB Patel is committed to solving social, political, or immigration-related problems.”
Bridge building between India and UK
Speaking about the positive change in the political scenario for Indian communities in the ceremony, Padma Shri Bob Blackman, MP said, “CB Patel is a model for the Indian communities in the UK. You have been at the forefront to make sure that the Indian voice is not only heard in our politics but in our communities forever.”
He added, “We need to develop and grow of relationship with India not only on a trade basis, security basis, but on every single basis, we are friends. Together, we are two great nations. And we must cement that relationship and make sure that whatever other people wish to do, we will never be divided. And that is key to me. It's something I will continue to work on. I regard India as a key partner for us, not only in the world but across the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
“I regard many of my friends in the Indian community as great for instance supporters. And as far as I'm concerned, I will do everything I can to ensure that friendship grows and prospers. And I may be white on the outside. But I'm brown on the inside.”
Sentinel of Indian communities
Lord Bhikhu Parekh said, “Being a part of a community allows you to keep an eye on it, care for degenerate trends, fight against them, see good trends and recognise positive trends and advocate for them. That is the duty of a Sentinel. And that's what CB has accomplished.”
Addressing the ceremony about their long relationship with CB Patel, High Commissioner of Uganda, Nimisha Madhvani added, “Gujarat Samachar talked about Gujaratis, Sikh, English and whoever suffered from Uganda tragedy. You did a fantastic job.
“CB is a man who understands people, a man who understands where we all come from. And he's also supported, Asian women and other women from different mainstreams and allowed them to come ahead.”
Speaking at the event, CB said, “India is a democratic country that has seen remarkable economic growth despite all of its issues. Furthermore, there are many young Indian talents, intellectuals and entrepreneurs. And today we are going to honour a few of new Indian entrepreneurs for their spectacular achievements.”
He added, “In tomorrow’s world there is sustainability in health, education, agriculture, soil conservation etc. Kautilya’s Arthashastra, written by Chanakya has a shloka 'Dharmasya Mulam Arthah' which means the foundation of civilisation is wealth creation. I’m highly impressed with all the awardees for their tremendous contributions in various sectors and I’m so grateful for their participation in this event.”
The awards and awardees
CB Patel and other eminent guests handed the awards to the five amazing organisations whose remarkable dedication in various fields not only helped them grow their businesses but also helped to address environmental challenges.
Here are the list of presenters, awards and awardees:
• Lord and Lady Loomba presented ‘21st Century's Breakthrough Innovation in the Diamond Industry’award to Ghanshyam Bhanderi, Founder of Bhanderi Lab Grown Diamonds which produces CVD TYPE IIalab-grown diamonds.
• Lord Rami Ranger presented ‘The Healthcare Revolution: Exclusive Innovation and Research in Diabetes Mellitus’award to Dr Chetan Savaliya and Manish Ray, Director of Gplife Healthcare Pvt Ltd which invented Botanical dosage form Zero chemical formula; a global breakthrough in medical revolution.
• Lord and Lady Dholakia presented‘The Agricultural Revolution: Mission to Save Mother Earth’award to Rahul Shah, Founder and Chairman of Gajali Group of Companies which invented bio-organic fertilizers as an alternative to DAP and Urea.
• Lord Parekh presented ‘The Education Revolution: Developing Global Citizens’award to Vijaybhai R. Davariya, Founder of Shree Vasishta Vidhyalaya whose aim is to impart an educational experience that is world-class, and which prepares children for global citizenship.
• Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, Sujit Ghosh, High Commissioner Uganda HE Nimisha Madhvani and Mission Head of Mauritius DishaRagnuthpresented‘Strengthening The Community’ award to Shan Hansrod, Director of Shan Properties (UK) LTD which serves the community by strengthening the youth in India.
Amish Tripathi, Param Shah, Subhanuji, Kanti Nagda and Manubhai Ramji later honoured the Indian delegation present with mementoes, certificates and medals. The event was followed by dinner.
The Global Peace T20 cricket league UK winner’s trophy, to be hosted by the London Capital Cricket Club was also unveiled at this event.
The vote of thanks was presented by Group Editor Mahesh Liloriya.
