NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, JAN 2
Stating that to reach out to Gujaratis living across the country and connect them to Gujarat’s rich culture and heritage, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday decided to constitute Akhil Bharatiya Gujarati Samaj Coordination Committee, a state government release said..
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a meeting on Tuesday where it was decided to connect with Gujaratis living outside the state as they seem to be losing touch with the Gujarati culture and heritage.
Rupani’s commitment to the cause could be understood from the fact that he will himself be the chairman of this committee. NRG Minister and MoS (Home) Pradipsinh Jadeja as well as Cabinet ministers will be the members along with office-bearers of Gujarati Samaj in other states.
Officers on Gujarat Tourism Corporation Ltd, Industrial Extension Bureau, and youth and culture department will be special guests on the coordination committee.
Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said that this coordination committee will meet twice in a year, and one meeting will be in Gujarat and another would be held in other states.
This committee will make an attempt to bring all Gujaratis living across the nation under one umbrella, where they will be informed about the state government’s various schemes, and attract them to invest in the state.
The state organizes many festivals in a year, like Ranotsav, International Kite Festival, Saputara Monsoon Festival, and the Vibrant Summit. The committee will create awareness among Gujaratis about these events and would invite them to join and participate in these festivals and summits, Jadeja said.
It has also been planned to create a common platform on which Gujarati Samaj of other states will share information about programmes they have planned in their respective states. The whole motive is to encourage Gujaratis to participate and play an active role in building a more active Non Resident Gujarati Forum.
The state government already has one such platform called Gujarat State Non Resident Foundation. Members of this foundation enjoy special privilege of having a Gujarat Card. NRGs carrying such cards can avail special discounts on staying at prestigious hotels, garment stores, jewelry shops and major hospitals.
This card is targeted at NRGs living abroad and is issued against the payment $5. Such card holders get special assistance at the government offices.
For the help and assistance to such NRG (Non Resident Indians), the State Government has also created an NRI division within General Administration Division and all support is extended to them, when required. Because of such efforts, now NRGs (NRI) have even started participating in state elections.
