Thousands of delegates from all over the world are in Gandhinagar, the capital of the state of Gujarat in India this week for the annual Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
Last Wednesday the Midlands branch of the Consulate General of India organised a Vibrant Gujarat seminar in Nottingham to encourage people to participate, but also to raise awareness of the Summit.
Held at the Centre of Nottingham Indian Business & Professional Association, or NIBPA, the evening, hosted by NIPBPA’s Chair Rajubhai Mistry, brought together around 100 delegates.
Guests included Professor Nathuram Puri, Councillors Ratilal Govind, Rita Patel and Abdul Osman, as well as Dr Gaurang Vakil from Nottingham University, Shirish Patel of Oneness Therapies, Mr Hamid Malik, President of Indian Muslim Organisations UK and Professor Cillian Ryan, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University.
There were presentations from Mr JK Sharma, outgoing Consul General of India, Mr Steve Toogood from UK India Business Council and Tony Deep Wouhra MBE, founder and Chairman of ethnic food giant East End Foods.
During a Q&A session, Councillor Rita Patel asked Mr JK Sharma what advice he could give to those wishing to establish links in Gujarat but are unable to attend the Summit.
Ash Govind of Leicester posed a question, and sought assurances around Intellectual Property, or IP.
Now in its 8th year, the Vibrant Gujarat Summit provides a platform for networking and mutual benefits. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was previously Chief Minister of Gujarat.
UK is the largest G20 investor in India. Gujarat “India’s economic expressway” is home to 60 million people, 5% of India’s population.
It is the second most urbanised state in India boasting 19% of all Indian exports and 7.5% of India’s GDP.
With two international and 16 domestic airports, Gujarat is the largest of any state in India.
The vote of thanks was given by Professor Hardev Singh of Nottingham University.
Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar’s publisher and Editor Mr CB Patel is currently in India at this Summit. It was a proud moment for CB when Mr Modi, during his speech at Wembley Stadium in November 2015, cited CB as a “friend” and paid tribute to his longstanding community work.
To find out more about the Summit visit www.vibrantgujarat.com
