Gujarat Samachar marked its 51st anniversary of its spectacular publication journey on May 5, 2023, through the Seva Yagna and Gyan Yagna paths. A special Zoom programme was held to celebrate the milestone and notable celebrities from India and the UK were invited. The moderator of the event was Jyotsnaben Shah, Managing editor of Gujarat Samachar. Meena Trivedy and Mayaben Deepak through their melodious musical programme entertained the guests. Actress Bhavini Jani sent a gratitude poem and Asian Voice Managing editor Rupanjana Dutta sent a special message to Editor/Publisher CB Patel.
Krishna Pujara
Talking about the successful journey of Asian Business Publication Limited (ABPL), Saheli Enfield CEO Krishna Pujara said, "Gujarat Samachar began its journey on May 5, 1972 and distributed its weekly paper via shop sales, subscriptions and through online and its weekly readership is in excess of 200,000. Gujarat Samachar is the most respected and influential paper of the Gujarati community. Along the way, they have developed a close relationship with both our readers and advertisers based on trust and service to the community. This publishing journey has been going on unhindered since the first edition of Gujarat Samachar was released on May 5, 1972, by Appasaheb, former High Commissioner of India to the UK."
Rohit Vadhwana
Rohit Vadhwana, India's Deputy High Commissioner in Nairobi, said, "I would like to congratulate CB Saheb, Gujarat Samachar and all the readers for your 51st year of success. As you have entered the forest, I request that you be more brave and firm in the forest, because now you are determined to face any predatory animals there. Especially on foreign soil, completing 50 years in journalism is a huge success. CB Patel began a campaign in the Parliament on Gujarati’s opinions and he presented your thoughts while also making a positive impact on society. I hope this newspaper continues to be used as a medium."
Lord Rami Ranger
Lord Rami Ranger, CBE. Chairman of the British-Sikh Association, said, "CB have done a remarkable job in more than many ways. I have admired you and received a lot of inspiration, support, and help from you. You are a pillar of this community. Half a century ago, we were a struggling community. We had no voice and you gave that voice to the community, which made us united. You gave us a medium to bind us together - the newspaper, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary. I hope we can see another 51 years of your service to the community. So therefore, you carry on inspiring people because you have no idea how many other people consider you a role model."
Bob Blackman
Padmashri MP Bob Blackman said, "Gujarat Samachar is becoming the most important medium in maintaining contact with that community, India and the entire society. And his team has maintained a completely professional approach in presenting news, opinions and reviews to the wider topics. It is one of those newspapers that is widely read within the community and treasured. You have not only established values in newspapers, but also promoted these morals to the entire Gujarati community. Congratulations on Gujarat Samachar's 51st Anniversary."
Lord Navnit Dholakia
Lord Navneet Dholakia, OBE, said, "I remember the first meeting with CB Patel. He created a dummy version of Asian Voice. I was really happy, because he connected a large section with the Gujarati community and the Asian community and made a great effort to explain how rights and liberties are appreciated in this country. In his newspaper, CB was able to publish articles and public reviews that effectively reflected the views of the Asian community and others. I am glad that every week I get my copy of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, which I put in the library of the House of Lords for others to read. It surely touches the hearts of the people of the country.
Dinker Mehta
Famous comedian Dinker Mehta said, "Gujarat Samachar, which has been available in many countries, including the UK, Europe and Asia unhindred, has completed 51 years. Congratulations to CB Patel! Gujarat Samachar means newspaper, so NEWS comes from N, E, W, S -North, East, West, South - from all four directions. PAPER comes from ‘Past and Present Event Reporting’. That means a newspaper that collects news from all four directions. As for Gujarat Samachar, I have to say that not only four directions but also the sky above and the abyss below are included. For 51 years, Gujarat Samachar has survived because of your character, your staff and team. I wish Gujarat Samachar, CB Patel, the entire team and the readers a healthy mind and good health."
Subhash V Thakrar
Subhash Thakkar, vice-president of the London Chamber of Commerce and founder-chairman of the Charity Clarity, said, "Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar that I have been reading and watching are definitely evolving. CB readily acknowledges that there was a period when the weekly newspapers were not interesting to read, and many people, including myself, spent the time simply turning the pages one at a time. However, the situation has changed over the years. We have all learned to respect this news medium, which has matured so much in the past 50 years. I really think your newspapers have become an institution. I congratulate you very much. I think you are leaving a powerful legacy for the Gujarati community and the wider community. I recognise you as an institution. You have valued the Gujarati community and the presence of business people. Your publication has really good coverage, from Bangladeshi communities to Pakistani communities."
Vishnu Pandya
Vishnubhai Pandya, Honorary Editor of Gujarat Samachar, senior Journalist and columnist, said, "After 51 years in journalism, we usually get thrills, but behind it there is so much pain, so much ambition, and so much courage. We consider journalism as a mission, which I serve. Service alone does not run. Idealism, a practical approach, and discipline - all three are needed. The question is how Gujarat Samachar would have progressed under the leadership of CB for 51 years. Even though people should write about CB, one should write about the history of the Gujarat Samachar because a Gujarati newspaper like this abroad is a historical phenomenon.
M NandaKumara
M NandaKumara, Director of Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan, said, "Gujarat Samachar has always stood for the good of our community. CB is able to communicate with the richest and poorest people with equal dignity. He is somebody who has been very easily accessible to this paper. He has served our community in such a way that it's very difficult to express in words. He is doing this kind of service in every corner of our country. Serving society is the most difficult job. To be able to reach the truth and to be able to explain it is very difficult, but he has been doing that difficult job for more than five decades."
Dr Keyur Buch
Dr. Keyur Buch, orthopedic surgeon, said, "We have to speak from the Karmayogi itself, because from the Karmayog building where the Karmayog mission has started, me and my 91 year old mother wish Gujarat Samachar success in its continued journey even after serving the community for more than 50 years. Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice played a major role in my life. My father wrote a beautiful article in praise of Gujarat Samachar and when he died, Gujarat Samachar paid a beautiful tribute to him as a conscientious person. Even though I live in Gujarat, I am still actively involved with Gujarat Samachar. Best wishes from Dr. Keyur Buch and his family to the entire family of Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice. Jai Ho…"
Mahesh Liloriya
Mahesh Liloriya, Group Editor of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, said, "On this occasion, Gujarat Samachar is not just a newspaper but a living testimony of our day to day life. CB Patel is a complete school. Through Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, every single thing said by CB sir has become a living creed. Gujarat Samachar began and succeeded in a number of campaigns for societal rights such as saving the Hare Krishna temple, the right to a British passport, and Air India's direct flight from Ahmedabad. CB wrote in the first issue of Gujarat Samachar that ‘these newspapers are not being published for financial gain; this is a campaign started to pay off the debt of society.' In the year of the golden jubilee anniversary, CB Patel was honoured by the President of India with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. He is the only British national to receive this honour at the Pravasi Bharatiya Convention in 2023."
CB Patel
CB Patel, Editor and Publisher of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, said, "Many people have spoken very well about me, it is your generosity. But I did not feel tired at all and did not carry any burdens. God gave me an opportunity to do this work. My father told me in October 1973 that life should have a purpose. You all became my colleagues in many ways. I think my father must have been pleased that I made an effort to complete a task which he wanted me to continue. I am only instrumental. My biggest idol is my reader - my supporters. I have told everyone to forget about the success; the service we will provide is supreme. You may or may not get the fruit. I still believe that God will still give me an opportunity to serve."
