The National Council of Gujarati Organisations UK (NCGO) organised a get-together to mark 50-years of Gujarat Samachar.
NCGO officials honoured CB Patel, Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, for raising awareness through social and knowledge movements. Lord Dolar Popat, Rohit Vadhwana - First Secretary at the High Commission of India in London, Industrialist and Social worker Vajubhai Pankhania, Social worker Prabhakantbhai Patel, NCGO President Vimalji Odedra, CEO of Advisory Council and Sangat Advice Center Kantibhai Nagda (MBE), Vice President Jitubhai Patel, Treasurer Deepakbhai Patel, General Secretary Sanjay Odedra and other NCGO office bearers also graced the occasion.
NCGO President Vimal Odedra acknowledged that CB Patel has strengthened the society through Gujarat Samachar. “CB Patel has always provided ideas, direction, support and cooperation to unite Gujaratis settled outside Gujarat and the Asian community. The movement initiated by Gujarat Samachar for social rights has actually enhanced our respect and status in this country,” he said.
Lord Dolar Popat said, “By the medium of these newspapers, CB Patel has initiated several movements for the benefit of people and succeeded. Be it about the rights of British Passport holders or about starting of London-Ahmedabad direct flight, Gujarat Samachar is not only a guide for newcomers to the UK, but also plays a vital role in keeping our identity and culture alive. Giving direction to the youth is like giving direction to society. Gujarat Samachar has also helped me a lot. When I started my career in politics, newspapers supported and guided me a lot so that I could reach my present position today.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations are playing an important role in the UK as well as a large number of Gujarati organizations also. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the deportation from Uganda. The manner in which our society has been transformed is like a story of pride. Many from East Africa are at the forefront of politics. Now society has progressed but at present loneliness is a big challenge. Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice help society in this matter.”
Rohit Vadhwana said, “I came to the UK in 2019. After that, I was introduced to CB Patel. Since then I have been writing for both the newspapers. Now, when I moving to Kenya as the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Nairobi, CB forwarded me the Kenya special edition published by Gujarat Samachar & Asian Voice. This magazine is helping me a lot. The most important thing for a newspaper is – to walk with changing times. Young readers are important. More and more youths need to be involved in society and social events. Also as a representative of the Indian Government, I take this opportunity to congratulate Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice for helping in keeping the society intact. Just as we have a responsibility to give voice to the different queries and issues of the community, these newspapers also have the responsibility of being the society’s watchmen. These kinds of alert institutions indeed help us a lot.”
CB Patel said, “Many men and women have toiled hard for years. In fact, it is very difficult to run a Gujarati newspaper. The year 1972 is historical for this country. It was the year when Gujarat Samachar started and Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan also started. Even the Brahmakumari Center started in the same year. Sangat Center was started by Kantibhai Nagda and his friends. This Golden Jubilee is not only of Gujarat Samachar and the newspaper's success cannot be accorded to a single person only. This success belongs to our team members, all readers, advertisers, those who helped guide us during difficult times and each and every member of the society who contributed towards this social and knowledge movement in the last 50 years.
“It is true that Gujarat Samachar has faced several struggles in its journey. But, readers and advertisers have immensely helped us. We were also lucky to have a good team of people. We have also tried to repay our debt to the society through social activities by the medium of Karmayoga Foundation.
“Gujarat Samachar is not just a newspaper, it is a way of life. Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice are working hard to help those who are partial Gujarati. Gujaratis are popular in this country. The Gujarati language is our identity.”
At his onset, Gujarat Samachar’s Managing Editor Kokilaben said, “I have been at Gujarat Samachar for 39 years This has been a school for me. The journey from a typesetter to the Managing Editor proves that nothing is impossible in this world. I started 32 columns in this newspaper. It wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and encouragement of CB Patel. There is no other similar enterprise where we could work as a single-family and progress. Although we faced several struggles during the course of work, we were never tired. We happily faced each and every situation.”
Mahesh Liloriya, Group Editor, Gujarat Samachar, said, “Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice are not only newspapers but they are the eyes and voice of the society. Rather than being profit-oriented, these newspapers conducted various campaigns for the welfare of communities at large.
“Gujarat Samachar’s first copy was published with the following statement by CB, “This is not a business for me”, and he has followed it throughout. We want to serve our community in our own way. The wholesome efforts made by Gujarat Samachar to conserve and preserve our language are immeasurable.”
At the event, Achalaben Miyani captivated everyone with her melodious songs. Vajubhai Pankhania sang beautiful devotional songs for CB Patel.
The whole event was compered by Gargiben Patel and ended with a vote of thanks by NCGO Vice President Jitubhai Patel.
