Stage set for Vibrant Gujarat sequel

After the 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit - 2003', the Gujarat government is looking for its share of investments by cashing in on the central government's 'Pravsi Bhartiya Divas' celebrations being held in New Delhi from January 9 to 11.

The government has organised a 'Vishwa Gujarati Parivar Mahotsav' from January 12 to 14 to rope in non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) who will attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas celebrations, along with other NRGs who have been specially invited.

Stating that the 'Vishwa Gujarati Parivar Mahotsav - Uttaryan 2004' is the second part of the Global Investors' Summit organised earlier in September, state chief secretary P K Laheri said, "We are just continuing from where we left."

In other words, the government is attempting to seek in more investment in addition to the Rs 66,000 crore investment commitments, for which memorandums of understanding (MoUs)were signed at the global investors' summit.

The state government has roped in Essar as the sponsor for the event.

The state government had already send 50,000 e-mails to the NRGs in various countries.

Even advertisements of the event have been published in leading airlines journals of Air India, Jet Airways and others, said Arvind Agarwal, commissioner, cottage and rural industries.

Apart from display of large hoardings and banners in prime locations across New York and London, the state government is marketing the event through various embassies of the country and advertisements in the print and electronic media, the official said.

The celebrations scheduled to be held from January 12 to 14 will include an international kite festival, convention, seminars and cultural programmes.

As Gujaratis constitute a large chunk of the non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs), the state governments expects a large number of NRGs to participate in the event.

The international kite festival is organised at the Police Stadium, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, on January 12, 2004.

More than 70 kite fliers from across the world including the US, Canada, the UK, France, Austria, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Chile and Columbia and about 75 kite fliers from different parts of India have confirmed their participation, officials said. An exhibitions on kite manufacturing will be organised at the venue of the international festival.

A book and documentary film on kites and the people involved in the sector is being prepared, which will be released during the festival. The book and film will cover a brief history of kites, the manufacturing process, the craft persons, the economy and the social harmony it generates.

Around five lakh kites are being specially made carrying the logo ''Uttaryan 2004' and various other messages.

These will be distributed to the school children to fly during the festival.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar, is designing prototypes of souvenirs and memorabilia for the event.

The festival on January 13 will be attended by the prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, officials said.

Prominent NRGs will be felicitated at the convention.

Two books and CDs on 'Historical migration of Gujaratis since the Indus Valley civilisation' and 'Present Gujarati Diaspora across the world', will be released.

There will be 12 theme pavilions showcasing the Gujarat Diaspora and development themes will be of special interest to the visitors.

On January 14, the NRGs will participate in the kite flying from the roof tops.