Awards & Historic Celebrations

Shri M N Mehta presented his memoir 'The Call of the Peacock' to Prime Minister "Shri Narendra Modi" during his visit to "Uganda".

At the invitation of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi undertook a two days State Visit to Uganda from 24 - 25 July 2018. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior officials of the Government of India and a large business delegation. This was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 21 years. Prime Minister Modi's program included an address to the Ugandan Parliament, which was telecast live in India and many African countries.

A business event jointly organised by the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) was addressed by both the Principals. Prime Minister Modi also addressed a large gathering of Indian Community in Uganda at a special event organised for this purpose. He also announced a Shs780 billion line of credit for electricity transmission and agriculture projects in Uganda.

During this visit our Mehta family - Shri M N Mehta, Smt Sunayana Mehta, Mr Jay Mehta, Mrs Juhi Mehta, Ms Jahnavi Mehta, Mr Hemnabh Khatau, Mr S C Sharma and Mr Suresh Kothari got an opportunity to meet Shri Narendra Modi. On this occasion Shri M N Mehta presented his memoir ‘The Call Of The Peacock’ to Shri Narendra Modi.

Mumbai's Kala Ghoda gets a New Culinary Destination with the launch of "RUE DU LIBAN"

After delighting Mumbaikars with a hearty Italian menu served at their award winning restaurant – Gustoso, Indianapoli Hospitality is ready to take your palates on a journey through the Levant at their newly launched restaurant – RUE DU LIBAN.

Housed in a heritage building in the heart of South Mumbai at the iconic Kala Ghoda, the restaurant is a visual delight. Brainchild of Mr. Jay Mehta, this gourmet destination has been launched in association with his partners Mr. Sam Malde and Ms. Arja Shridhar.

Our Hon'ble Chairmain, Shri Mahendra N. Mehta receives the highest Indian honour, "Pravasi Bhartiya Samman" Award 2015 by the Hon'ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

It was a proud moment for all of us when our Chairman, Shri Mahendra N. Mehta was conferred upon the most prestigious "Pravasi Bharatiya Samman" award by Hon. Vice President of India, Shri Hamid Ansari on behalf of Hon. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on January 09, 2015, at the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad. At this historical event organized by Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Hon. Vice President of India, Shri Hamid Ansari, Hon. Foreign Affairs Minister, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Hon. Chief Minister of Gujarat, Smt. Anadiben Patel and Hon. Governor of Gujarat, Shri O.P.Kohli were present amongst other dignitaries.

The 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 had a special significance as it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the return of Mahatma Gandhi from south Africa to India. The Pravasi Bharatiya samman award was given to Mr. Mehta for his outstanding contribution to economic and social development of thousands of people in East Africa. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award is the highest honour conferred by the Government of India on overseas Indians and Persons of Indian Origin living abroad for their Contribution to progress and development of their respective countries and for fostering their relations with India. This year the award has been given to 15 members of the Indian diaspora worldwide. It is notable that Mr. Mehta receives this award among the other recipients of the award like Guyana President, Donald Ramotar and Mr. Satya Nadela, CEO, Microsoft.

The celebrations were inaugurated by Shri Vajubhai Vala, Finance Minister of Gujarat State. Both he and Chief Guest of the inaugural function, Shri Ramanlal Vora, State Education Minister paid rich tribute to our Founder, Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta and his pioneering achievements both in India and Africa and in particular to the cause of women’s education.

An important highlight of the inaugural function was the launch of the book ‘Manipuri Dance and Music’ by noted Rajya Sabha MP and celebrated actor, director producer and danseuse, Hema Malini. Written by the famous Manipuri dance exponent and daughter of our Founder, the late Dr. Savitadidi Mehta, the book is unique in that it has achieved the insurmountable (and never before attempted) task of codifying all the oral tradition and knowledge of Manipuri dance into an encyclopedia to carry forward this rich legacy for posterity. Smt. Nirmalaben Khatau, younger daughter of our Founder and editor of the book, gave an introduction to the book to the gathering.

To mark the Platinum Jubilee of Arya Kanya Gurukul and showcasing the minute attention to detail and precision planning that marked the events, 75 students of Arya Kanya Gurukul, Santokba Vidya Mandir and Gurukul Mahila College sang the school anthem against an audio-visual of the educational journey of Gurukul playing on the backdrop.

The pinnacle of the celebrations – a dance ballet entitled ‘Yugdharma : Ganga Amrut Sarita’ Beautifully choreographed and exquisitely executed, the theme of the River Ganga being brought to earth for the salvation of humanity and how owing to its current state of pollution, it would now have to be salvaged by humanity, was enacted before a rapt and enthralled audience.

An audio-visual promoting the concept of making our rivers pollution-free was next screened with messages from well known celebrities like Bhagawat Kathakar, Puyja Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza, legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, classical vocalist Pandit Jasrajji, flautist Shri Hariprasad Chaurasia, producer director and filmstar Aamir Khan and actress Juhi Chawla.

The evening ended with Shantipath - an invocation for peace and an impressive fireworks display.

National Folk Dance Program

As a part of 124th Birth Anniversary of founder Shri Nanji Kalidas Mehta and Platinum Jubilee of Arya Kanya Gurukul, a National Folk Dance program was held on Sunday, 4th March 2012 at Gandhi Memorial Amphi Theatre, Chowpatty, Porbandar.

This program which was organized under the auspicies of Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Division of Govt. of Gujarat and West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur wherein more than 170 Folk Dancers from the state of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Manipur, Punjab, Hariyana, Jammu Kashmir, Goa, Assam, Orissa presented their folk dances admist the presence of more than 1000 leading citizens of Porbandar.

On this colorful occasion, Mr. Girish Shah, Dist. Collector, Porbandar appreciated the untiring efforts of Mr. Suresh Kothari of Arya Kanya Gurukul for bringing this unique kind of cultural festival to Porbandar for the very first time. At the end, when Mrs. Pragna Gajjar, Chief Co-ordinator of Arya Kanya Gurukul presented a chorus song of "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, To Sur Bane Hamara", with more than 170 folk dancers of India, entire atmosphere was thrilled with patriotism.

26th and 27th November 2011 are two days that will be etched in the memory of the citizens of the historic city of Porbandar, Gujarat for years to come. For two consecutive days, 1000 ex-students, 5000 guests including political bigwigs, industrialists and business leaders, film celebrities and 3 generations of the Mehta family sat spellbound before a bedecked stage and a giant 30’ by 10’ screen, soaking in the spectacle of dance, drama and song being presented. The proceedings were telecast live by the Akash Cable Network within a 100 km radius.

After all it is not often that a business house is privileged to celebrate the 124th birth anniversary of its Founder and the platinum jubilee of a historic school he instituted in back to back events.

The celebrations on Day Two centred around the 124th birth anniversary of our Founder and Kulpita of Arya Kanya Gurukul Sheth Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta. Eminent guests included – famous social worker and founder of Hindu Council (U.K.), Shri Mukundbhai, Smt. Urmilaben and Shri Sandeep Jobanputra, Uganda’s High Commissioner to India, Smt. Nimisha Madhvani and Smt. Shardaben Manubhai Madhvani from Uganda, former M.P. from U.K., Shri Prafulbhai Patel, well known folk storyteller Shri Bhikhudan Gadhvi, former Sheriff of Mumbai, Dr. Mohanbhai Patel, Shri Ranvirbhai Khatau of the Khatau family and other dignitaries.

An exhibition of rare photographs of the Founder was the centre of attraction at the venue and an audio-visual depicting his life history played out on the giant LED screen.

On this evening 125 students from the three education institutions (primary to college level) set up and run by the Mehta family, paid homage to the Founder’s 124th birth anniversary by staging a dance ballet entitled Jeevan Saptarangi Zarnu (Life – A Rainbow In Stream)

On both days the dances, plays, prayers and recital of Vande Mataram highlighted the focus that Gurukul places on Indian culture, its ethos and values. What was commendable indeed was that all the ballets and songs were produced directed and enacted in-house under the very able guidance of Mrs. Pragnaben Gajjar and her team.

Playing a pivotal role in overseeing and compering these mega events was Mr. Suresh Kothari,Jt. President, Corporate & Public Relations, SCL, whose able leadership and guidance ensured that these mammoth events were carried out with precision and flair.

It can be said without hesitation that the impressive show on both days were a fitting tribute to the legacy of our great Founder.