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| Dalal Family in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on December 30, 2014 |
"India has the right, if she only knew, of becoming the predominant partner by reason of her numbers, geographical position and culture inherited for ages. She is the greatest storehouse of spiritual knowledge." Mahatma Gandhi
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, a city where Mahatma Gandhi spent much of his time, and started the famous Sabarmati Ashram; a city that Shri Narendra Modi, then Gujarat chief minister, transformed into a thriving metropolis. I was fortunate to spend quality time with my Puppa and Mummi at our home in Ahmedabad (my home is now in Irvine, California). I look forward to seeing my parents in USA (hopefully soon).
Reconnecting with Family and Friends
It was great to share the spirit of family during the holidays with my two sisters, Nitu and Situben and family (we were all together after 14 years); I am really going to miss my young sister Nitu, lovely niece Diya and fun moments with my brother-in-law Paragbhai. I liked how Paragbhai said: "Enjoy Life" - a good reminder for us all!
I reconnected with so many friends from my school days, and met my extended family members and close friends not just once, but a few times. It felt great to meet them in person, have dinner and snacks, and talk about stories from growing up to our school days. The amount of love and affection that I felt from my friends and family during this trip to India was incredible.
Ahmedabad Food and Music
I can't say enough about the food in Ahmedabad. If you are a foodie, you will love the variety of food - traditional Gujarati food consisting of Undhiyu, Puri, Jalebi, Khichu, Khaman, Dhokla and more; Dhaba food consisting of Punjabi style Paneer Tikka curries, Navratan Korma, Tandoori Rotis, Hot Naans, Dal Makhani, etc; South Indian food consisting of hot Dosa, Idlis, Uttapam, Sambhar and Vadas; American food at places like Subway, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, KFC, and many more; and even modern fusion food places like Unforgettable. I frequented Sports Club many times with friends and family to savor their delicious sandwiches and dosas, and also Gymkhana Club. I loved the private marriage event at Agashiye restaurant with live Gujarati ghazhal performance by Shri Sanjay Oza, Saptak music performance by Shri Rahul Sharma on Santoor and Shri Mukund Rajdeo on Tabla, and Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty with Vocals, Pt. Yogesh Samsi on Tabla and Smt. Paromita Mukherjee on Harmonium, and hanging out with friends at Freeze Land (a place we used to frequent during our school days).
It was great to share the spirit of family during the holidays with my two sisters, Nitu and Situben and family (we were all together after 14 years); I am really going to miss my young sister Nitu, lovely niece Diya and fun moments with my brother-in-law Paragbhai. I liked how Paragbhai said: "Enjoy Life" - a good reminder for us all!
I reconnected with so many friends from my school days, and met my extended family members and close friends not just once, but a few times. It felt great to meet them in person, have dinner and snacks, and talk about stories from growing up to our school days. The amount of love and affection that I felt from my friends and family during this trip to India was incredible.
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| With my father and mother at our home in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
Ahmedabad Food and Music
I can't say enough about the food in Ahmedabad. If you are a foodie, you will love the variety of food - traditional Gujarati food consisting of Undhiyu, Puri, Jalebi, Khichu, Khaman, Dhokla and more; Dhaba food consisting of Punjabi style Paneer Tikka curries, Navratan Korma, Tandoori Rotis, Hot Naans, Dal Makhani, etc; South Indian food consisting of hot Dosa, Idlis, Uttapam, Sambhar and Vadas; American food at places like Subway, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, KFC, and many more; and even modern fusion food places like Unforgettable. I frequented Sports Club many times with friends and family to savor their delicious sandwiches and dosas, and also Gymkhana Club. I loved the private marriage event at Agashiye restaurant with live Gujarati ghazhal performance by Shri Sanjay Oza, Saptak music performance by Shri Rahul Sharma on Santoor and Shri Mukund Rajdeo on Tabla, and Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty with Vocals, Pt. Yogesh Samsi on Tabla and Smt. Paromita Mukherjee on Harmonium, and hanging out with friends at Freeze Land (a place we used to frequent during our school days).
Spiritual Journey
Seeing Pramukh swami in Sarangpur really got me inspired (since 1980s, we have received his blessings at important times). It was a big highlight of my spiritual journey, and also getting blessings from Ishwarcharan swami ji, meeting and getting inspired by Brahmaviharidas ji, praying at Sola and Iskcon mandir, and going to Shrinathji mandir in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. I am so grateful that Bhagwaan Shri Krishna looked after me from a potentially dangerous accident in Nathdwara (where I got hurt, albeit escaped serious injuries).
Seeing Pramukh swami in Sarangpur really got me inspired (since 1980s, we have received his blessings at important times). It was a big highlight of my spiritual journey, and also getting blessings from Ishwarcharan swami ji, meeting and getting inspired by Brahmaviharidas ji, praying at Sola and Iskcon mandir, and going to Shrinathji mandir in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. I am so grateful that Bhagwaan Shri Krishna looked after me from a potentially dangerous accident in Nathdwara (where I got hurt, albeit escaped serious injuries).
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| Getting Blessings from Mahatma Gandhi at Mahatma Mandir |
Vibrant Gujarat and India
Attending Vibrant Gujarat, hearing and seeing Shri Narendra Modi, India prime minister up close, listening to the notable global leaders share their optimism about Gujarat and India including U.S. secretary of state John Kerry, World Bank president Jim Kim, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon, India finance, business and information minister Shri Arun Jaitley, Gujarat chief minister Smt. Anandiben Patel, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, Birla Group chairman Kumar Birla, Godrej chairman Adi Godrej, and witnessing the new developments in / around Ahmedabad have firmed my belief that Gujarat and India are going to have a golden age of development that will usher in 10% or higher growth soon. It behooves all Indians and investors to participate, share and reap the benefits from this economic explosion. Thinking about investing in Gujarat? Contact me: ceo at ogoing dot biz
Attending Vibrant Gujarat, hearing and seeing Shri Narendra Modi, India prime minister up close, listening to the notable global leaders share their optimism about Gujarat and India including U.S. secretary of state John Kerry, World Bank president Jim Kim, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon, India finance, business and information minister Shri Arun Jaitley, Gujarat chief minister Smt. Anandiben Patel, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, Birla Group chairman Kumar Birla, Godrej chairman Adi Godrej, and witnessing the new developments in / around Ahmedabad have firmed my belief that Gujarat and India are going to have a golden age of development that will usher in 10% or higher growth soon. It behooves all Indians and investors to participate, share and reap the benefits from this economic explosion. Thinking about investing in Gujarat? Contact me: ceo at ogoing dot biz
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| I am attending Vibrant Gujarat on January 11, 2014 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar |
Kite Flying Fun
Can you imagine thousands and thousands of kites flying right above you, everywhere you look? Uttarayan is an annual kite-flying day in Gujarat on January 14, and in particular the city skylines of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Nadiad, Rajkot and Surat are covered by kites being flown by people of all ages from their roof tops and terraces. It's a sight to behold! I can still picture the tens of thousands of beautiful lanterns adorning the Ahmedabad sky on the evening of Uttarayan. Flying and cutting a few kites along with my close friends and family members was an amazing experience.
Can you imagine thousands and thousands of kites flying right above you, everywhere you look? Uttarayan is an annual kite-flying day in Gujarat on January 14, and in particular the city skylines of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Nadiad, Rajkot and Surat are covered by kites being flown by people of all ages from their roof tops and terraces. It's a sight to behold! I can still picture the tens of thousands of beautiful lanterns adorning the Ahmedabad sky on the evening of Uttarayan. Flying and cutting a few kites along with my close friends and family members was an amazing experience.
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| Tens of Thousands of Tukkals on the evening of Uttarayan in Ahmedabad |
The Poor in India
I felt an incredible urge to help the poor people in Ahmedabad. That kid near our home who smiled despite the hardships, and was so happy to get some food and a piece of clothing. I was moved and saddened to see so many people who sleep on the sides of the streets each night. Can a local Rotary club start a new program to help the homeless? It would be great to have a program wherein local shelters for the homeless folks provide daily meal, some clothes, basic work, and a place. The poverty challenges in India are mind-boggling, and whereas the country has progressed giving rise to a huge middle-class, there are still countless poor people.
I felt an incredible urge to help the poor people in Ahmedabad. That kid near our home who smiled despite the hardships, and was so happy to get some food and a piece of clothing. I was moved and saddened to see so many people who sleep on the sides of the streets each night. Can a local Rotary club start a new program to help the homeless? It would be great to have a program wherein local shelters for the homeless folks provide daily meal, some clothes, basic work, and a place. The poverty challenges in India are mind-boggling, and whereas the country has progressed giving rise to a huge middle-class, there are still countless poor people.
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| On the streets of Nathdwara, Rajasthan. I offered prayers at Shrinathji to Krishna Bhagwaan |
India and USA
There are many local companies in Ahmedabad and Gujarat that need help with establishing, starting-up and growing their business in USA. I connected with a few of them during my visit, some during Vibrant Gujarat, and will be following up with them with their market development plans in California and throughout the nation. These companies are looking to expand their sales and marketing, and don't have a direct presence in the U.S. Also, they are not able to hire local people while they still remain as a small business.
There are many local companies in Ahmedabad and Gujarat that need help with establishing, starting-up and growing their business in USA. I connected with a few of them during my visit, some during Vibrant Gujarat, and will be following up with them with their market development plans in California and throughout the nation. These companies are looking to expand their sales and marketing, and don't have a direct presence in the U.S. Also, they are not able to hire local people while they still remain as a small business.
oGoing Journey
In parallel, I continued my work on OGOING from India, and kept helping clients during my visit. I also met my software development team in Ahmedabad first, and then Vadodara, and strategized with them on what needs to happen to grow oGoing and make Ogoing.com the place to connect, share and grow for SMB. We generally agreed that unless we get an external investor or partner, our journey at oGoing will most likely come to a close. I am still trying to see if we can keep oGoing going! Wish me luck...
What is that one takeaway from my trip to India? India is on the cusp of a great economic and cultural expansion that will be felt for dozens of years. The abundant energy, passion and determination was visible among all walks of life, and I could sense that everyone is so driven to do well, work hard, and provide a good life for themselves, their children, parents and family.
A momentous trip to India indeed!