Six exceptional Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRG) were honoured with the NRG-SPET Ratna Award at the NRG Meet organised by the NRG Centre. These individuals have brought pride to their homeland through their notable achievements while living abroad. The NRG Centre is run by the Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujaratis Foundation in Gandhinagar and the Sardar Patel Education Trust (SPET) in Anand (Gujarat).
The NRG-SPET Ratna Award ceremony held on January 12, 2024, recognised distinguished individuals including CB Patel, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, along with Pankaj Patel (Kampala), Ramesh Patel (Australia), Vinod Patel (USA), Vatsal Patel (Ahmedabad), and Dr Jaideep Sarkar, the Head Coach of the Indian men's volleyball team. Notably, Prof Chandrakantbhai Patel, author of over 110 books, and his wife were also honoured during the event.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Dr Pratiksha Patel extended a warm welcome and introduced the dignitaries. Dr Malv Patel provided insights into the activities of the NRG Centre. Dr Bhikhubhai Patel, Chairman of the NRG Centre, Managing Trustee, and Secretary of Sardar Patel Education, expressed that the Sardar Patel Education Trust family is upholding its commitment to society, the state, and the nation by recognising deserving individuals at the appropriate juncture.
Talking about the significant achievements of Gujaratis living abroad, Dr Patel emphasised their unique work ethic, skills, and entrepreneurship, contributing to Gujarat's global recognition. “The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Prestige, initiated by then Chief Minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2010, established the NRG Centre under the Sardar Patel Education Trust. This initiative aims to maintain the bond between non-resident Gujaratis and Gujarat, recognising their invaluable contributions to the state's development,” he said.
“Annually, the Sardar Patel Education Trust confers the SPET Ratna, recognising noble individuals who have brought honour to Gujarat globally through their expertise. These honorees are distinguished for their outstanding social service and recognised rites of passage on an international scale,” he added.
During the ceremony, notable attendees included Swami Dharmabandhuji, Major General Dilawar Singh (former Director General-NYKS), Ghanshyam Shah (Joint Secretary of Sardar Patel Education Trust), and several distinguished individuals such as Ramesh Patel, Mridulaben Patel, Anvesh Patel, Rakesh Shah, Pankaj Patel, Naginbhai Patel (President of Chamos Matrisansha), Chandrakant Patel (writer), Dr Mohan Patel (Principal of N S Patel Arts College), Dr Arpita Arora (Director of B N Patel Institute of Paramedical and Science), Dr R D Modi (Principal of C P Patel and F H Shah Commerce College), Jayshree Dixit from N S Patel Arts-Autonomous and other NRG’s also graced the occasion.