Booming Gujarat

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GUJARAT: 49 YEARS of SUCCESS
On August 8, 1956, the Central government merged Gujarat, Saurashtra, Kutch and Bombay with Maharastra. This triggered a major riot and many were killed in police firing. The Maha Gujarat Nagrik Parishad was formed to launch a movement for a separate Gujarat. Indulal Yagnik became the ‘mahanayak’ of this movement, lasting four years. Finally, the Central government split Maharashtra and Gujarat into independent states on May 1, 1960. 

GUJARAT: Facts n Figures

• Latitudinal Location: 23.00 N  Longitudinal Location: 72.00 E
• Quick Facts on Gujarat Total Area: 1,96,027 square kilometers
• Quick Facts on Gujarat Ecosystems: Gujarat exhibits a great diversity of ecosystems ranging from deserts, scrublands, grasslands, deciduous forests, and wetlands to mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and gulfs.
• Literacy Ratio: 61.29
• Best Time to visit: October to March
• Languages Spoken: Hindi, Gujarati, English
• Gujarat is one of the most prosperous states of the country, having a per-capita GDP 3.2 times India's average.
• The world's largest ship breaking yard is in Gujarat near Bhavnagar at Alang.
• Gujarat ranks first nationwide in gas-based thermal electricity generation with national market share of over 8% and second nationwide in nuclear electricity generation.
• An average income of a Gujarati family in North America is three times more than the average income of an American family.
• Gujarat is having the longest sea shore compared to any other Indian state
• Gujarat is having highest no. of vegetarian people compared to any other state in India.
• The first ALL VEG PIZZA-HUT was opened in Ahmedabad.
• Gujarat is having the highest no. of operating airports in India (Total 12)
• Surat is the fastest growing city in the world
• Gandhinagar is the Greenest Capital City in whole Asia
• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad(IIMA) is Asia's 1 st management college located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 

JAMNAGAR: PETROLEUM HUB

      This region gave Indian cricket its dark knight. Decades later, Jamnagar has put Gujarat on the global refining map. Together Reliance and Essar refineries in Jamnagar have made Gujarat the world’s refining hub. While Reliance Petroleum Ltd. has put up the largest refining complex with an aggregate refining capacity of 12.4 lakh barrels of oil per day in any single location in the world and Essar has come up with 6.80 lakh barrels a day project.

SURAT: DIAMOND SPARKLES
    It was in the 1960s that famine drove Palanpuri Jains from north Gujarat to Surat. Gems and jewellery exports were then a miniscule Rs 5 crore. Patels from Saurahstra followed suit. In 1980s, as business grew, Gujarati diamantaires moved to diamond hub of Antwerp, where Jews controlled the trade. Today, India’s diamond exports are Rs 67,000 crore — majority of them cut and polished in Surat. Gujaratis control over 60% of trade in Belgium. 

PHARMA: HEALTHY NATION
    Starting with Alembic, makers of good old Glycodin, in 1907, Gujarat’s pharma sector today contributes the highest - 35 per cent - among all states, to India’s total output. Home to some of country’s pharma biggies like Zydus Cadila, Alembic, Cadila Pharma and Torrent Pharmaceuticals and close to 3,500 drug manufacturing units, the capital investment in Gujarat’s pharma sector has witnessed a CAGR of whopping 54 % in the last 3-4 years. 

MUNDRA & PIPAV: PORTS
    From Lothal in 2400 BC to Mundra in 2009 AD, it has a been successful voyage for Gujarat as far as port development is concerned. Two private ports - Mundra and Pipavav, country’s only two LNG terminals at Dahej and Hazira and a string of ports along its 1,600 km coast line, has enabled Gujarat handle at least 250 million tonnes cargo a year, the highest among all maritime states.

AHMEDABAD: WEAVING SUCCESS
    Within decades of Gujarat was born, its financial capital Ahmedabad emerged as the Manchester of the East. Legendary mahajans like Kasturbhai Lalbhai brought the city on the global map. The sector witnessed a decline in the 1980s, leaving thousands jobless. But, a revival was scripted in the late 1990s, with the city reclaiming its lost glory by turning into the denim capital -- manufacturing over 200 million metres of denim in a year.

ANAND: AMUL
    This billion dollar brand is Gujarat’s gift to Asia’s co-operative sector. Asia's largest milk brand, Amul’s foundation was laid in 1946 at Anand with inspiration of Sardar Patel. If Tribhuvandas Patel as chairman laid foundation of Kaira District Co~operative Milk Producers Union Limited, Father of White Revolution Verghese Kurien laid foundation of NDDB in 1965 and GCMMF in 1973. 13 dairies and GCMMF clock a collective turnover of Rs 10,000 crore. 

AHMEDABAD: NANO (world's most economic CAR)
    A landmark in the history of Gujarat’s business. Nearly a decade after General Motors drove in to Gujarat, the state changed gears with Nano. Investment of more than Rs 2,000 crore, Tata Motors shifting its small car project from Singur to Sanand helped the state wash away the taint of 2002 to some extent and paved way for Gujarat’s journey to become an auto hub.

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Shaping Young Minds

A lecture series - Shaping Young Minds - organised by All India Management Institute (AIMA), Ahmedabad where the four guest speakers (Indian Icon's) share their life's experiences with the students on the role of youth in nation building:

• Prahlad Kakkar, Ad film maker
• R Gopalkrishnan, Director, Tata Sons
• Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Sarod maestro
• Shobhaa De, Novelist

The seminar was meant to inspire young people, mainly students and young professionals to channelize their thoughts and energies in right direction on Saturday, April 18th, 2009. Below, I share the thoughts and advisory given in the seminar where more than 500 people participated:

"Do what your heart tells you and you may just end up doing right."~ Kakkar

"If you know your worth and are honest in what you do, speak up and stand by what you think. In all probability, you will be heard."~ Kakkar

"If you really want something badly and think you cannot live without it, then leave it because you will anyway not get it."~ Kakkar

"In this sensitive period, huge responsibility is on youth to vote for right reasons. We should shun criminals in public life and use our voting powers. Politicians are accountable to people not the other way round."~ De

"The country needs to change for the better and we all should contribute to make India more democratic and tolerant."~ De

"Youth must work together for a unified world without any mindless bloodshed." ~ Khan

 "Music is one religion and it speaks only one language of love and peace."~ Khan

"We have numerous memorials for political leaders but not for any single artist who have given up their life in service of music."~ Khan

"Life is nothing but a bunch of stories and we learn more from stories than instructions. Management education is all about people, life and experiences." ~  Gopalkrishnan

"Leadership is not about speaking, it's about empathy. Be human." ~ Gopalkrishnan

"It is music that helps me connect with God." ~ Khan

"Every one comes and leaves this world without anything on hand. Then why should everyone be treated differently? There is need to realise that we only have a common God." ~ Khan

"Whatever you do should involve a lot of passion. Then there is no chance you will not succeed." ~ De 

"The day you close your mind to responses, voices and emotions of other people, you are finished." ~ De

"Young minds can contribute significantly in steering the nation forward. This programme will provide a unique platform for professionals to interact with leading icons from different fields." ~ S K Swamy, President AIMA

A letter from a father to his little son

Dear Pranav,

It's been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When I held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands

A letter from a father to his little son. (Getty Images)

were twitching and your eyes were shut tight.

Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, I cried.

Before I married your mother, I used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, "Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?" Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives?

When I switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether I was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again.

This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis.

I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you'll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo.

The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can't imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on.

Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There's a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment.

Appreciate mother's cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared.

Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It's like a post-it note from God.

When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you'll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don't be overwhelmed. We're all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance.

Money. It's important. But it has its place. Don't make the mistake of putting it right on top.

Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall.

Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we're living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don't forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It's your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in.

Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear.

It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we'll find strength in your love for life.

Don't have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life.

Immersed as I am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.

Love, Dad

By Rajesh Mani

Read this article in Ahmedabad edition of TOI of Jan 20, 2009 & it touched my soul. So, am sharing it with you. Please do share your comments.


courtsey TOI http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Lifestyle/Spirituality/Speaking_Tree/A_letter_from_a_father_to_his_little_son/articleshow/4002613.cms

Seek First to UNDERSTAND, then to be UNDERSTOOD ~ E Communication

Communication is one of the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. If we want to interact effectively with others, to influence others, we first need to understand them. 'Seek first to understand' involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We often seek first to be understood. Most of us do not listen with the intent to understand, we listen with the intent to reply.
When another person speaks, we are usually 'listening' at one of four levels. We may be ignoring another person, not really listening at all. We may practice pretending. We may practice selective listening. Or we may practice alternative listening. But very few of us practice the highest form of listening, 'empathic listening'. By empathic listening, mean listening with intent to understand. According to communication experts in empathic listening, we listen with our eyes and with our heart. We listen for feeling, for meaning.

This habit is powerful because it exists right in the middle of our circle of influence. Many factors in independent situations are in our Circle of concern-problems, disagreements, circumstances, other people's behavior. And if we focus our energies out there, we deplete them with little positive results.

We can always seek first to understand. That's something within our control. And as we do that, as we can focus on our circle of influence, we really, deeply understand other people. We get to the heart, of matters. We talk with each other quickly. We give people the psychological air, they need so we can work together effectively.

• Educators take something simple and make it complicated. Communicators take something complicated and make it simple. ~ John C Maxwell

Anger

Image by scriptingnews via FlickrAnger is a completely normal, usually healthy, negative human emotion. Why do we have it? I think it is because we want to Control situations of the past which we can't and to Control people's behaviour, the way we want them to behave them.

While thinking over it I found that it is due to image in our mind set which triggers Anger when ever it differs from our set image of situation or person which we have created for the person/ situation and that may be totally different.

I think we can win over this emotion by removing our expectations from people / situation. It's really easier said then done. But, I believe, we can start experimenting by making a declaration of having a day of no expectations with hubby, co-workers, kids, traffic, pollution, fund managers, bankers or even systems.

Are you ready to play the game? An invitation to share your views and experiences along with your thoughts on Anger.

Thumbs Up Gujarat

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• State to get 12 new Medical Colleges

At present Gujrat has 1655 seats which in two years time would go to 3300+ seats. Eight new colleges have been planned in Six cities: 2 each in Ahmedabad and Surat & 1 each in Valsad, Palanpur, Mehasana, and Nadiad. At present State has 12 medical colleges.

• Infrastructure: 3 more 4-Lane Highways

A move which will boost road connectivity & save fuel and time across the Gujarat of the road riders. The roads selected are Ahmedabad - Viramgam - Maliya, Halol - Godhra - Shamlaji and Rajkot - Jamnagar - Vadinar highways. As GRDC & L&T have signed agrrement, construction work will start soon and will be completed in 30 months. L&T will charge Toll on the highways.

• Farmers Cheer! 3 days & 12% Rainfall

Short fall in rains was sending shiverings to all spines here in Gujarat. But, the rainfall in last 72 hours benefited immensly as it was 12% of its annual average. Saurastra farmers are joyous as they will harvest 3 crops this year.

• Forensic Science Varsity at Gandhinagar

Gujarat govt. plans to start from next academic year next to Gandhinagar Forsenic Science Laboratory spread over 20,000 sq km. It was needed to filfill the shaortage of trained manpower.

• Library on Wheels by DPS (East) Ahmedabd

The idea behind the launch is to revive reading habit and bring books closer to the people, especially weaker sections of the society. On Wednesday, Shantibhai Patel, MJ Library's chief librarian said` it is essential for children to realise importance of books and Library on Wheels will go a long way in encouraging to read. It will also be an asset to those who have a desire to read, but don't have means.

• Special Relief Train for Bihar flood victims

Narendra Modi, CM of Gujarat flagged of a special train with all essentials worth Rs.4.7cr in countinuaton of Gujarat's tradition to support disaster-stricken people, be it Kanshmir, Andman Nicobar islands and Tamil Nadu. He louded Surtis for their noble act.

• Cellphone to solve your queries

'VoicePitara' as this new innovation is known, is a platform to connect people to various services using voice and keypad on mobile phones, according to its creators Vinay Modi & Mahesh Chopra. The technocrats are ably supported in their venture by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM, Ahmedabad. The main advantage of our system would be communication in the local language without dependence on computers says its innovators.