On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I felt inspired to pen this column. It is a truly blessed coincidence that exactly 50 years ago, in 1976, on this very day, we assumed responsibility for Gujarat Samachar. With the continued support, encouragement and blessings of our readers, writers, well-wishers and the wider community, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have earned a special place in people’s hearts. Guided by a spirit of togetherness, we have always endeavoured to serve the community to the best of our ability—and that journey continues to this day.
In the previous issue of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar dated 28 March, 2026, readers may have noted that Bhaveshbhai Shashikantbhai Lakhani has assumed office as President of the Vishwa Gujarati Samaj. His appointment to an organisation dedicated to uniting Gujaratis worldwide is both encouraging and promising. A successful businessman with an active public life and deep commitment to social service, Bhaveshbhai hails from a family with a strong tradition of serving society.
His elder brother, Yogeshbhai, a respected legal expert, is still fondly remembered for his tenure as President of the Lohana Mahaparishad. Their father, Shashikantbhai, himself a distinguished legal expert, served as a senior minister and later as
Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Despite his stature, he was known for his humility. We had the privilege of hosting a felicitation for him at Karma Yoga House during one of his visits to London.
These reflections naturally take me back to the early years and, in particular to the first International Gujarati Conference held in London in 1983.
Memories of the early days
I wish to share a humble remembrance of some of the colleagues and supporters from our formative years.
Before relocating to Karma Yoga House in Hoxton in November 1981, all our work was conducted from our office in Chiswick. Even then, the offices of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar were always bustling with activity. Visitors ranged from regular readers to well-known personalities from diverse fields.
Whether the topic was language, literature, community service or spirituality, people gathered freely to connect and exchange ideas. To name just a few: senior journalist Late Shri Bhupatrai Parekh, Chitralekha editor and noted novelist Harkisan Mehta, the creator of the beloved “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah”—along with respected journalists Kanti Bhatt and Sheilaben Bhatt. In truth, the list is far longer than memory permits.
Whenever friends travelled from India to London, there was always a warm insistence: “There must be a programme by Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.”
Such gatherings were often graced by distinguished personalities including Jehan Daruwala of Mumbai Samachar, industrialist and philanthropist Manubhai Madhvani, Sir J. K. Gohil, Shantubhai Ruparelia, I. K. Patel, Navnit Dholakia, Prof. Bhikhu Parekh, Meghnad Desai (all before their appointments to the House of Lords), Sir Gulam Noon, Zerbanoo Gifford, Ratilal Chandaria, Kantibhai Nagda, Pankaj Vora, Pranlal Sheth, T. P. Suchak, Balmukund Parekh, Bhanushankar Odhavji Vyas, T. A. Bhatt, Hirabhai Shah, Dahyabhai Patel, Ratilal Jobanputra, B. K. Joshi, and many others. Friends would even travel from Preston, Leicester, Birmingham and beyond to be part of these interactions.
Conversations flowed freely—about countries, communities and life itself. There were differences of opinion, certainly, but never any difference of heart.
Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar were never merely newspapers. They became bridges—connecting British Asian communities across the country beyond caste, creed or religion. That remains our mission today.
The idea that sparked a global movement
This takes me back to 1982. One evening at Karma Yoga House, a small group of friends—including Prof. Bhikhubhai Parekh, I. K. Patel and Shantubhai Ruparelia—had gathered, as we often did. At the time, Prof. Parekh was serving as Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and was visiting London.
Naturally, the discussion turned to Gujarat and Gujaratis.
If one pauses to reflect on those times, one cannot help but feel a sense of pride as an Indian. In the early years of independent India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan served with great distinction as Head of the Department of Religion at Oxford University before returning to India as Vice-Chancellor of Madras University.
A similar honour was later extended to our own Prof. Bhikhubhai Parekh, whose tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University was marked by remarkable service. A true teacher, after all, never truly retires.
As conversations unfolded that evening, a shared reflection emerged. Gujaratis had settled across the globe—in the UK, India, Africa, Fiji, Aden and beyond—making their mark in diverse fields. Yet there was a need for a meaningful, organised platform that could reflect our community’s achievements, concerns and aspirations.
From this emerged a collective resolve: to organise an International Gujarati Convention, bringing Gujaratis from around the world together on a single and more purposeful platform.
1983: When a vision became reality
The task was daunting, but unity gave us strength. Preparations continued tirelessly for eight to ten months—in an era without emails, mobile phones or reliable landlines. Prof. Parekh was in Vadodara; we were in London; others were scattered across continents. Yet every obstacle was overcome through resolve and cooperation.
And so, from 19 to 21 August 1983, London hosted the first International Gujarati Conference.
The event proved both grand and historic. Gujaratis from across Britain participated in large numbers, with around 150 delegates arriving from Gujarat, and many others from the USA, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia—truly a global gathering.
The then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Madhavsinh Solanki, was scheduled to attend as Chief Guest but was unable to travel due to severe flooding in Saurashtra. He deputed Home Minister Shri Prabodhbhai Rawal, while Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a message of goodwill.
In a remarkable achievement, six of Gujarat’s seven Vice-Chancellors travelled to London for the conference.
The list of distinguished attendees was equally impressive, including Ratibhai Chandaria, Jagubhai Tanna, Prof. Narhari Parikh, UK Minister Ray Whitney, Speaker of the House of Commons Bernard Weatherill, Indian High Commissioner Dr. Syed Mahmud, MP Harisingh Mahida, Rauf Valiullah, J. K. Gohil, Pranlal Sheth, Dr. Purnima Bhatt, Vijay Sharma, among many others.
Delegates were even taken to Leicester, fondly known as the “heartbeat of Gujarat in Britain.” Throughout the three days, the atmosphere was marked by warmth, cooperation and shared purpose.
From concept to execution, Prof. Bhikhubhai Parekh, I. K. Patel, Shantubhai Ruparelia, Navnit Dholakia and several others worked tirelessly, day and night. This same spirit later led to the formation of the National Council of Gujarati Organisations (UK), which continues its valuable work today.
A legacy that lives on
You may revisit the original illustrated report of the first International Gujarati Conference, published in New Life and Gujarat Samachar on 26 August 1983, from the comfort of your home.
Along with this column, a barcode has been provided, simply scan it to relive those memorable moments. As you explore that report, you will appreciate how thoughtfully the event was planned and how relevant the ideas shared then remain today.
I end with the profound yet simple words of Shri Prabodhbhai Rawal, spoken at the conference: “Perhaps we may not take back anything entirely new from here, but the very idea that Gujaratis can come together on an international platform—this in itself is profoundly significant.”
