Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday requested union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to allow rickshaw parking at Ahmedabad’s Saradar Patel international airport. Modi said the days are gone when only high-class people were using flight services. Nowadays even a clerk wants his family to enjoy plane journey once in life. There are more common people traveling in planes but, the AAI still possesses a mentality that only high-class people travel in planes and therefore the AAI doesn’t permit rickshaws to park in airport premises. This has caused a situation in Ahmedabad that a person who wants to take rickshaw to go to his desired place in city has to walk two kilometers in search of rickshaw. Rickshaw is an identity of this city and allowing rickshaws at Ahmedabad airport parking will not diminish image of this airport, therefore they should be allowed here.

Modi said the growth in this sector took place so fast that, resources could not be developed in similar speed. Gujarat has in total 20 airports and the state is now in process to develop 11 more airports. Only Gujarat’s one single Kutch district has five airports.

Modi said Gujarat is committed for Public Private Partnership(PPP)model and it is now developing airports at popular pilgrim/tourist places such as Palitana, Dwarka and Ambaji. “One company is already prepared to start air-taxi service in Gujarat. But that company wants to import a plane from foreign land. A permission has been sought from central government for import of that plane,” Modi added.

Modi suggested that each of those airports named after some great personality in India should house multi language kiosks with all detail about that particular great person. Modi also suggested to initiate solar power and rain water conservation efforts at airport buildings. He praised the usage of solar light at Ahmedabad’s new airport building terminal 2.

On repeated requests of Gujarat leaders, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today announced direct Ahmedabad-London flight from October this year. Patel said, a service of direct flight between Ahmedabad and London will be there in winter schedule effective from October.

Patel was here for inauguration of new airport building at Sardar Patel International airport.

He made this announcement after request made by Ahmedabad MP Harin Pathak, union ministers Dinsha Patel, Bharatsinh Solanki, Tushar Chaudhary, leader of opposition in Gujarat Shaktisinh Gohil and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi from the same stage in same function.

Ahmedabad-London-Ahmedabad direct flight was once in operation, but it was discontinued later on.

The President of India has, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, transferred Justice Shri Anil Ramesh Dave, the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

An official press release said here today that Mr Justice Dave had been directed to assume charge of his new office on or before February 15.

Shri Dave is a Gujarati whose permanent residence is in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

NRIs will be able to cast their votes by the time the country holds its next general elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said

“I recognise the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad to exercise their franchise and to have a say in who governs India,” the Prime Minister told the annual conclave for the Indian diaspora.

“We are working on this issue and I sincerely hope that they will get a chance to vote by the time of the next regular general elections,” he said at the eighth edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

“In fact, I would go a step further and ask why more overseas Indians should not return home to join politics and public life as they are increasingly doing in business and academia.”

Some 1,500 delegates from 50-plus countries are attending the conclave that the country hosts annually to connect with its 25 million diaspora in 130 countries.

The Prime Minister said while people all over were legitimately proud of India’s vibrant democracy, the government had not been able to deliver in full measure on the enormous promise and potential of the country.

“I recognise the frustration well wishers feel when they lament why things don’t work faster or why well formulated plans and policies don’t get implemented as well as they should be.”

He said there was a price India was paying to carry all sections of its people along in national development, but that was a price worth paying.

“It is probably true we are a slow moving elephant but it is equally true that with each step forward we leave behind a deep imprint.”

Dear Non-Residential Gujaratis & NRIs, this article is for them who have gone to foreign countries thinking that let go to foreign, earn some handsome amount in dollar or pound etc & will be back within 5-6 year and then live life peacefully and serve relatives, society, Gujarat. But unfortunately the same could not be returned in 10-15-20 years.

Common picture of contributions

There is no doubt they are doing for their village, their community up to some extent, but totally insufficient, otherwise there would be no poverty, illiteracy there in particular community, society. Main thing is that NRG/NRI is only interested in making one Decorated Gate at Village Entrance or bench in village garden or chawk in the name of their mother/father or beloved ones.

* When their precious time is required for encouraging young generation, they do a make a Clock Tower in their village and name it after their beloved ones and get satisfied.
* When their experience is required in guiding the community or society to perform best, they give chief guest speech and appearance and feel proud.
* When their expertise and money is required to build some assets like schools, central gober gas plant or any long term useful thing for the their own Village, they are happy in making Entrance Gate in Village and name it to their family members.

Society-centric approach needed-some directions

So people have to think their selves, in which direction they want to go, self-centric, family-centric OR society-centric. They all have guts and now money power to do so otherwise they cannot live in foreign country till date. So main thing now is to think beyond towers, Entrance Gates, benches and target on maximum employment generation with maximum gain to villagers. Few examples, what they can do;

* Make central Gober Gas Plant in their home village/town and surrounding 5 villages. So that there will be constant energy and fertilizer source for future, and for maintaining same employment will be also generated. Now in almost all the villages houses have cattle so it will be easy also. They need to search/research latest development in this field, import the same to their village and see it implemented and well maintained.
* Promote the local specialty business/art internationally and make more employment and prosperity. Use their foreign contacts to promote the local business/art. Adopt local SAKHI MANDAL and made them good village level business houses just like you have promoted your business in foreign land.
* Use combination of contract farming and organic farming and install latest technology in farming and make everyone involved in it more and more happier. Don’t just make farm house in villages make it farm mandir by above and also add dairy farming component in it.
* Think for whole village, community and ultimately whole society. Promote the education more and more, start from your own community and set the example. Think beyond mid day meal school schemes and design your own schemes for local school full attendance and enrolment. Government will surely support you in such things now under PPP model.
* Make whole village floored with kota stones just like 100 years back instead of RCC.

Something to think

There are many such things which can make whole Gujarat better to best. Only thing needed is your support with intention like to do something for society and that also without any expectation.

Tell me, do you find following things there?

o morning tea at tea stall where 2-3 newspapers are there and people discussing the current topics with extra joy.
o Eateries where early morning you can take phaphda, jalebi, samosa , kachori or ganthiya and people queue up for the same.
o Office friends and area friends with whom you can sit at the night or weekends and discuss how’s life going, troubles, support etc. You can play with them, arrange some local celebrations etc.
o Family relatives with whom you can share your past good memories & enjoy each and every occasion starting from God Bharai to till Besna.
o Government support in each and every thing starting from online birth certificate to become entrepreneurship with human touch, very liberal approach now, they change the laws accordingly.
o Temples like Dwarka, Somnath, Ambaji, Dakor, Shamlaji, Pavagadh, Junagadh, Ashapura, Matano Madh, Pipalav, Vadtal, Bochasan, Palitana, spread across Gujarat and tourist places like Ambaji, Abu, Mandvi, Div, Pirotan islands, saputara, Nal Sarovar, Zanzari, Narmada Dam site, Kutch Rann and many more.
o Don’t you miss festivals lime Utarayan, Vibrant Gujarat (it is now festival in Gujarat) , Holi, Shivratri, Gujarat Din (1st May), Janmashtmi, Rath Yatra, NARVATRI, Diwalli, Annakoot. Taking blessings of our elders in each festivals etc.
o Don’t you like to be a part of special Gujarat Government celebrations like 26th January, 15th August and 1St may(Gujarat Din) which are now celebrated other than Gandhinagar. Now it is celebrated in different District Headquarter each time and you will be really amazed to see festive mood during that period in that particular District. Don’t you want to see successful Vibrat Gujarat Summit, Krishi Mahotsav (every May month), Kanya Kelvani Mahotsav, Vibrant Navratri, Kutch Sharodatsav, Ranotsav, Modhera Sun Festival, Vadnagar Tanariri Mahotsav, Vibrant Navratri celebrated by Gujarat Government. Please note Govt has now whole year calendar full of activities for every department.

Now don’t compare all above things with mere things you are getting over there, like;

* Cleanliness far better from Gujarat, but tell me didn’t you played in same mitti, sand in your childhood. Cleanliness is necessary, but not a must thing, sometimes it is required to learn something. Now Guj Gov has initiated Nirmal Gujarat abhiyan and it has received good response.
* Second point you will tell that here in foreign you earn some good amount of money; but at which cost; you all know the answer. Just accept it now.
* Other point is good Government support system; It is now available here also, just come and feel it. Better life is also available here today, just visit Amdavad today and feel the changes.
* Now you will tell it is very hot in Gujarat; yes it is true, but we don’t have control over it, then also situation is changing little bit due to large scale Govt Initiatives like checkdams, boribandh, tree plantation, mangroves, open canals etc.

Now there are no more points you can tell me, and I have so many things to tell you. So just don’t think much, just give a chance to your heart over your mind and decide accordingly. Money is not the driving force you mind and your good intention is the only driving force in you. So don’t wait for enough money, just get necessary money and go for your goals with which you had left the Gujarat. Don’t wait to convert million into billion, come here and get joy (santosh or satisfaction) worth trillions by making more and more employment, educations to all.

So people who have read till this line will definitely think about it and try to do the same, but here I would like to tell you that do not only try, just make it confirm. Your decision will surely give fruits within short time. Trust my words and your heart both and see the extraordinary results. This is the best time when Gujarat is celebrating Golden Jubilee.

Please Note: I am also an IT engineer. I also aspired to do something for my community, society after earning something. I had got chance to go foreign countries, but I had given preference to my family & society. I accept that with healthy money backup it is very easy, but without it, it is not that much difficult main thing is intention. So I waited for some years and now finally chosen the second way till I create first one. I will do this kind of indirect work and motivate and lead others who can do that right away. By doing this my ultimate intention is to serve my society, Gujarat and finally India.

Author can be reached at himanshu.acharya@gmail.com

Just two in Lebanon to almost a million in the US, the ministry of overseas Indian affairs has registered the presence of non-resident Indians (NRIs) in 180 out of the 183 countries of the world.

The largest number of NRIs are in Saudi Arabia (17 lakh) followed by the United Arab Emirates (14 lakh), the US (9 lakh), UK(7 lakh), Kuwait(5.8 lakh), Oman(5.5 lakh) but what is more fascinating is they can also be found—albeit in minuscule numbers—in Slovenia (10), Montserrat (10), Iceland (21), Bosnia and Herzegovina (30) and Burkina Faso (150). In Republic of Palau which is one of the world’s youngest sovereign states, there are five NRIs. 20 NRIs are living in the mountains of Bolivia or a 375-strong Indian community living in tiny Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

Interestingly, it is only in North Korea, Pakistan and Bhutan that not a single NRI is to be found.

Canada’s Trade Minister Stockwell Day and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated a new Canada trade office in Ahmedabad.

The Canadian Minister said, “this centre will be a platform to make economic partnership between Canada and the people of Gujarat stronger.”

The Chief Minsiter said, a new chapter of Gujarat-Canada economic cooperation has begin today with this trade office.

Since Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced last year to deepen trade ties with India, Canada has already opened two trade offices in Hyderabad and Kolkata. This will be the Harper government’s third such office to be opened in India.

Prior to these three offices, Canada had a trade office in Bangalore.

“The opening of a trade office in Gujarat fulfills our long-standing demand. It is a great news for Canadian companies looking for trade with India’s fastest growing state,” said Winnipeg-based Hemant Shah who lobbied with the Canadian government for the Ahmedabad office.

Canada’s top companies such as Bombardier and McCain Foods have plants in Gujarat.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has achieved amazing victory in Gujarat assembly by-elections 2009 with victory over five out of seven seats.

BJP has snatched away five seats from Congress party. This results once again reiterates that Gujarat was and is strong hold of the party.

BJP has achieved a historically victory on Saurashtra’s Jasdan seat. This is nothing but a blast in the strongest Congress fortress of the state.

The BJP has also won Sami-Harij seat which is also a gain for the party as in previous election this seat was with Congress.

The BJP has also significantly won the Dehgam seat which was believed as Congress dominant seat. This seat too is a gain for the party.

BJP has also been victorious on Chotila seat where Congress had enjoyed victory in previous election.

BJP has also got Danta seat which is the most important one as Danta has been traditionally the most powerful Congress bastion in north Gujarat. BJP workers are jubilant over the victory.

Congress retained Dhoraji seat and snatched Kodinar seat from the BJP.

Ahmedabad based Vishwa Gujarati Samaj (VGS) has issued an advisory to NRI Gujaratis, to avoid visiting Gujarat this winter, if they are suffering from the disease as influx of large Gujarati diaspora to the state this winter can spread the disease very fast. This advise has been given following the death of NRI Pravin Patel, the first victim of the disease in the state who had come from Atlanta(U.S.) to Gujarat for vacation.

“Many Gujaratis living abroad come to the state during Navratri, Diwali and marriage season in winter. Between mid September to February, maximum number of No resident Gujaratis visit the state. They have been advised not to visit Gujarat if they are suffering from swine flu,” VGS President Krishnakant Vakharia said.

“We have released an advisory note to all our members in the US, UK, Canada and African countries by email and newspaper advertisements on the precautions to be taken while visiting Gujarat on the backdrop of world-wide swine flu epidemic,” he said.

“If NRIs come to the state, they are asked to get a thorough check up on arrival,” he added.

Sometime before, CBI officers had raided Ahmedabad international airport and seized foreign liqur bottles from the duty free shop there. Now Central Vigilance Commission(CVC) has started probing another event related to Ahmedabad custom officers deployed at the airport, in which custom officers allegedly harassed an NRI lady to get bribe money.

According to sources, on May 24, an NRI lady laded at Ahmedabad international airport where custom officers checked her bag and found digital cameras and other electronic items. Almost seven custom officers formed a group to check lady’s luggage for an hour and allegedly showed intention to get some bribe to clear the baggage. However the lady was firm in her attitude, as all the luggage was legal.

The lady then after complained CVC in writing. This resulted in CVC probe in which at least seven officers are believed to have raided custom officers at the airport. CVC officers have also sought video footage of May 24 night to 25th morning from CCTV camera on airport.