New Jersey on August 30, 31 and September 1. Pic Gunjesh Desai
EDISON, NJ: One more Gujarati conference. One more effort to show case Gujarat to the Gujarati Diaspora in the Tri-State area. Friends of Gujarat is all set to organize a Global Gujarati conference at the Raritan Center on August 30, 31 and September 1. The event has been aptly named ‘Bhavya ane Divya Gujarat’.
Talking to this correspondent in an interview, Kirit Patel, president of Friends of Gujarat said the prime aim of organizing this event is to keep the Gujarati culture alive within the second generation of Guajaratis who have made America their new home.
“We intend to provide them the necessary platform to know what Gujarat is, how it has emerged as a land of opportunity in India and at the same time keeping the traditional Gujarati value intact”, Kirit said adding, “the conference will also be a launching pad to exchange ideas of economic, business success stories between the younger generation in Gujarat and their counterpart settled in the USA.”
“There are many young entrepreneurs who run business worth over Rs 200 cr. set up through their own ideas and investment and have been successful. We want them to interact with budding Gujarati entrepreneurs and businessmen who can plan such investment back in Gujarat so as to take Gujarat to the next level of industrialization.”
The conference will also have a trade show, fashion show and many vendors from Gujarat will showcase their exhibits.
Asked about the names of top dignitaries planning to attend the mega event, Kirit said it was a bit too early to spell out the names but leaders of political parties, religious heads like Morari Bapu, Rameshbhai Oza, Giri Maharaj and many leading artists from Bollywood and Gujarati cinema are expected to come.
In reply to a question as to whether the event will be BJP-centric, Kirit explained,” We do not want to make this a political show, but since BJP happens to be the ruling party in Gujarat one might feel a BJP shade but our plan is to make this politics free event. Even the speakers will be advised to avoid making any political comments or observations”.
Giving details of providing a new angle to the Gujarati meet, Kirit said “Four students from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad will also be coming to the event and sharing their view of Gujarat and comment on how to take it to the next level of development in infrastructure and also create social awareness.”
According to Kirit “apart from the usual business, religious and real estate seminars, yoga, health camp and full body checkup and vastu, the thrust will be on providing pure entertainment to the participating public. “We will have the Gujarati Dayro and cultural program but at the same time we plan to have one Bollywood night comprising Hindi songs, and plans are being worked out to have a Gujarati play also besides sugam sangeet, and garbas.”
When asked about the total cost of the project, Kirit was skeptical to give a definite figure but said it could anywhere from $ 750,000 to $ 1.2 million. “We will make every effort to cut the cost so as to enable us to collect some funds and donate it for a noble cause like educating orphaned children in Jammu and Kashmir and also provide them with basic education, food and clothing. He said as many 300 such children have already migrated from Jammu and Kashmir and made Gujarat their second home. They were presently housed in Kheda district. The proceeds from this event will also go towards the Swami Vivekanand Smarak being planned by Narendra Modi”, he added.
Asked what plans were being formulated to meet the expenses for the event, Kirit said the main funding will be through sponsors and then by offering booths, stalls to vendors. “We will not compromise on the entertainment program and also interactions between the young entrepreneurs from both side of the globe”, he stressed.
Several delegates, leaders of business fraternity Gujarat Chambers of commerce along with their women and youth wing, state government agencies IndexB, are scheduled to participate. Plans are afoot to hold networking between Gujarat government agencies and local businessmen to set up units in Gujarat and also get expert guidance for successful entrepreneurship.
As always Chief Minister Narendra Modi will also address the gathering through video link, and not to forget serving of traditional mouth-watering Gujarati food.
Sudhir Vyas
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