Rajkot Junagadh Amreli District Received Untimely Rain Hailstones

Amid the heat wave in the state, some parts of Saurashtra, including Rajkot District, Junagadh District and Amreli District, received untimely showers and hailstones on Thursday late evening.

While roads in Jetpur City in Rajkot District were covered by hailstones, traffic was disturbed in Dhoraji City following uprooting of trees on the state highway. The fall of hailstones, which lasted nearly half an hour on Thursday, took the Jetpur City residents by surprise.

The fall of the hailstones brought down the temperature in the town which was reeling under the scorching heat of 41 to 42 degree Celsius. Jamkandrona, also in Rajkot district, also saw fall of hailstones. Following the high speed wind and showers, many trees were reportedly uprooted on the state highway between Dhoraji and Jamkandorna.

According to the district police control room, it took a couple of hours to move the uprooted trees and clear the road for traffic on the highway. According to Met department reports, several villages in Jamkandorna, Jetpur and Dhoraji talukas received 0.5 to 0.75 inch rainfall.

Bagasara Town in Amreli district also received showers along with high-speed wind. Following a heavy shower, the roads in the town were flooded with water. Besides, Dhari and Kukavav in Junagadh District also received a sharp spell of showers.

Somnath Mandir Gujarat India – with wireless surveillance system

Gujarat State Police has allotted Rs 50 lakh for purchase and implement a wireless surveillance system on the Somnath Mandir Coastal Area.

The system once installed would keep vigil over five nautical mile coast from Somnath Mandir. Gujarat Police Chief S.S.Khandwawala, Coast Guard (Gujarat) Chief Satyakumar Sharma, DIG Pravin Sinha and District Chief of police from Junagadh District, Porbandar District and Amreli District took a glance of system in Junagadh City where cameras were put at five places for demonstration.

Gujarat State Police Chief Khandwawala briefed the reporters that this system would connect all 26 police stations of Junagadh State. After planting such cameras on all main roads of the district, the police would be able to trace suspects from Somnath Temple to Junagadh.

Khandwawala said the district of Junagadh has been selected as model district and Rs 50 lakh are to be allotted for that.

Khandwawala and state Coast Guard Chief Satyakumar Sharma took area survey of Junagadh district’s coastal areas from Keshod Town. They also visited Somnath.

Saurashtra Kutch News – about Narmada Water Pipelines

With soaring temperature, water looks a distant mirage in Saurashtra and Kutch where many villages and small towns are reeling under acute water shortage for want of connectivity with Narmada Canal Water Pipelines.

While the state government claims to have supplied Narmada pipeline water to 10,000-odd villages and more than 100 cities, Amreli City, Junagadh City, Bhavnagar City and Surendranagar City, Morbi City and Kutch are getting water supply only once in four or 10 days.

"If some areas are hit by water scarcity, we will do our best to supply water there through pipelines. In fact, the administration has already been instructed to take necessary steps to ensure adequate water supply in those areas. That apart, collectors of several districts hit by water paucity have been instructed to ensure fodder supply for animal husbandry in the affected areas to be made available at cheaper rates from the forest department," said State Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel.

According to Gujarat State Water Resources Minister Nitin Patel, 1,100 cusec water is released on daily basis in Narmada canal to meet the requirement of Saurashtra and Kutch. "It is true that most of the reservoirs are drying up. Whatever water left in them has been conserved for drinking purpose. Yet, we are trying to find other alternative means to upgrade water supply in the affected areas. The alternative means could be repairing of hand pumps and sending water tankers," Patel said.

The water reservoirs report inadequate water level as the state registered only 76 per cent rain fall last year. After the last year monsoon, the water level in reservoirs was measured only 50 per cent, following which, the government ordered that the water in reservoirs be kept reserved for potable water. At present, there is only 24 per cent water left in 195 reservoirs across the state, which, it is feared, may not last till June 25.

Mango Productions Junagadh Ahmedabad News Gujarat India

Gujarat State may clinch the pole position in mango production this year edging past Andhra Pradesh.

Hopeful of clinching the top spot, Gujarat Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani said: “There will be a bumper mango production in Gujarat this year. Five years ago, Gujarat was in sixth position. Last year, we were in second spot. We hope to emerge first in mango production in the country this year.” Sanghani said: “The average mango productivity in India is 17 tonnes per hectare of land. Last year, Gujarat’s productivity was 24 tonnes per hectare. This year, it can go up to 26 tonnes per hectare and we may emerge first in mango production in India.” According to reports, mango harvest will be poor in Andhra Pradesh this year. This summer, Amdavadis will have the privilege of savouring cheaper Kesar mangoes longer.

Thanks to its bumper harvest. Bolstered by additional flowerings, green Kesar mangoes have hit the city almost a month in advance. Its ripe variety will be flooding the city fruit shops from next week. They will be available at least till the first week of July and at a comparatively cheaper price due to 30 per cent surge in production. At present, around 30,000 boxes, each weighing 10 kg, of green Kesar mangoes grown in Junagadh City are arriving at Naroda fruit market every day.

Ahmedabad City Fruit Wholesalers’ Association president Laxmandas Rohra said: “This year, Kesar mangoes have reached the city a month in advance. Now 30,000 boxes of green mangoes, each priced between Rs 250 and Rs 300, are reaching the city. A week on, 1 lakh boxes of ripe Kesar mangoes will arrive in Ahmedabad daily and its price will go down.”

Usually green Kesar mangoes surface in city markets in the last week of April. But this year, they are available aplenty from April first week. Scientists are attributing Kesar mangoes’ advance arrival to early and additional flowering.

Usually there are two flowerings of Kesar mangoes in a season. But this year four flowerings have been reported. Research scientist at Junagadh Agriculture University Dr RR Viradiya said: “The four flowerings were due to global climate change.

The first flowering took place 15 days in advance. So, Kesar mangoes were visible in the market early.” Viradiya added, “The season of Kesar mangoes used to last 45 days five years ago. This year, the season will double up to 90 days. The harvest will be also be 30 per cent more than last year due to multiple flowerings.” Former vice-chancellor of Junagadh Agriculture University KB Kikani said: “There has been a change in flowering pattern of Kesar mangoes this season. The last flowering was late. So, the season of Kesar mangoes will last longer.”

An officer in agriculture director’s office in Gandhinagar City said Junagadh produces maximum Kesar mangoes in the state. “Kesar Keri are grown on 17,000 hectares of land in Junagadh. Its average annual production is 90,000 metric tonnes. It may go up to 1 lakh metric tonnes this year,” he said.

Professor PC Vaidya passes away - Shapur Junagadh District Gujarat

Noted mathematician and academician Professor PC Vaidya who is known as Maths magician passed away on 13th March - Friday. He was 93. He was the first PhD in mathematics from Gujarat. One of the global experts on Einstein's theory of relativity, he had delivered lectures all over the world on this subject. A powerful and thought-provoking speaker with a great sense of humor, his contribution to the world of mathematics has been immortalized as Vaidya Matrix', pioneered in 1942.

Born at Shapur Town in Junagadh District, Vaidya did his PhD in mathematics from Banaras Hindu University. The staunch Gandhian was GPSC chairman from 1971 to 1977 and UPSC chairman in 1977-78.

Between 1979 and 81 he was vice-chancellor of Gujarat University. Epitomizing the Gandhian philosophy simple living and high thinking on the day his VC's term got over he refused to use the official car, and preferred to ride his bicycle back home.

Prof Vaidya was also vice-chancellor of Gandhi Vidyapith, Vedchhi, in Surat. His autobiography book Chalk and Duster' was published in Gujarati.

Even after he retired, he returned to the university to teach mathematics to MSc students for many years. Today his legacy is global with his students making their marks in various countries. His 45-year-old Ganit' magazine, is still a hit among budding mathematicians.

He was detected with a kidney ailment in January. On Thursday, his condition deteriorated and he passed away at 5 am on Friday. He leaves behind four daughters. Three of his daughters conducted his funeral rites. The fourth daughter is abroad.

Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City News Samachar Gujarat India

After tiding over recent crisis of the illness of imported South African cheetahs, the forest department-run Sakkarbaug Zoo authorities in Junagadh City are now planning to welcome a pair of Hippopotamus.

Recently, much to the relief of wildlife lovers and zoo medico team, four cheetahs, which had fallen severely ill last month, were certified as fully recovered. The beasts, which were removed from public view after they had suffered infection, were put back for public view.

Sakkarbaug Zoo superintendent VJ Rana said, "The cheetahs have recovered and have been brought to the sections where visitors can see them since March 1." Sakkarbaug Zoo is the only zoo in country to own the world's fastest animal. The cheetahs were brought from Singapore under an animal exchange programme. The zoo is now planning to bring a female hippo from Kanpur Zoo under another animal exchange programme.

"We have already brought a male hippo and within the next fortnight will bring the female one to the zoo. In exchange, we have provided Kanpur Zoo with a tiger. The zoo is also going to house four pairs of foreign birds from Baroda Zoo in exchange of which we will give them a tiger, bear and Thamin deer," Rana added.

Junagadh Ahmedabad Rajkot Vadodara City News Gujarat India

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is likely to lift the eight-month moratorium on environmental clearance for new industries in most of the seven Gujarat cities.

According to reliable sources in the state government, the central board has responded favorably to representations made by the business communities of Ahmedabad City, Rajkot City, Bhavnagar City, Junagadh City and Vadodara City.

The seven Gujarat cities are among the 88 industrial hubs identified as ‘critically polluted’ by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, in an environmental assessment of industrial clusters made late last year. Ankleshwar, Vapi and Vatva were identified as among the most polluted of the 88 cities in the ‘critical’ list. But the blanket ban on clearances for new industries in entire areas of cities had upset the state’s business community.

Responding to the moratorium, industrial associations had made representations to the GPCB and the state environment department.

Junagadh History Saurashtra Gujarat India

For hundreds of years now, this lion-faced state has been a natural abode of the jungle king. Lions were hunted in large numbers in northern and western India in 19th century. Gir Jungle was their last refuge because the Gujaratis protected them.

It is on sound scientific counts that Gujarat is resisting Centre’s move to shift lions from Gir to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. While the Nawab of Junagadh City was among the first to bring in regulations to protect lions in the 19th century, the idea first came from Ashoka the Great in 257 B.C.

Ashoka’s rock edict at Girnar Mountain talks about preservation over 2000 years back. If Gujarat had also killed the Asiatic Lions, the emblem of India would not have been those magestic four Asiatic lions, standing back to back. The symbol is taken from Sarnath, Ashoka capital. It’s a great work of art and a symbol of India’s pride, made possible only because Saurashtra protected the prides of lions in a corner of the peninsula.

After Gujarat was born in 1960, the government formed a lion Gir sanctuary in 1965. In 1975, Gujarat government conceived a special project for the protection of Gir Wildlife Forest area and declared it a national park.

But only with the support of local people, the number of lions has gone up. According to the 1968 census, there were 177 lions, which went up to 350-360 in 2005.

The Gujarat government formed a committee to tackle the menace of lion poaching and a Rs 40 crore five-year plan was chalked in 2007-08. Gujarat Inc too has pitched in with financial support.

Girnar Parvat Mountaineering Competition Junagadh City News Gujarat India

At 21st February 2010 morning, Girnar Mountaineering competition of climbing and coming down of mount Girnar, of the national level was hold and approximately 153 Competitors of India’s 10 States were participated from those 101 competitors are of Gujarat State itself.

Since last two years, there are two type of Girnar Parvat Climbing Competition has organized by Gujarat’s Department of Yuva Sports and Cultural Activities,

(1) Open Gujarat Level Competition
(2) National Level Competition

But on dated 21st February 2010, Shri Fakirbhai Waghela, the State’s Sports Minister will gave flag off at 7.30 a.m. to the competitors to march which was National level competition which live demonstrated by the means of about 12 C.C.

The entire process of the competition including climbing and coming down of the steps of the mountain, by the competitors will viewed face to face by the people with help of 22 digital cameras under VAIFAI system will be done from Garvo Gadh Girnar Parvat.


Government has arraigned to take insurance for all the competitors. The awards will be given as under :

(1) The competitor ranking first Rs. 40000

(2) The competitor ranking second Rs. 25000

(3) The competitor ranking third Rs. 15000

(4) The competitor ranking fourth Rs. 10000

(5) The competitor ranking fifth Rs. 5000

(6) The competitor six to ten Rs. 1000.

Moreover other prizes like trophy, shield, certificate, memento, T-shirts, etc. will be awarded to the competitors.

As Junagadh Tourism Development Point of View, above is one of the most important events for Junagadh City and for all Kathiyavadis from all around the world.

Junagadh Surendranagar tourism heritage Gujarat India

Should the Value Added Tax include a portion for effective heritage conservation? If not the sale of artifacts itself, why should the centuries-old heritage structures be opened for photography and documentary film-making to raise revenues for their conservation? Is it not about time the heritage structures be removed from the Public Works Department’s (PWD) jurisdiction?

These were amongst the several suggestions that emerged from the public consultation meeting of small towns held in Gandhinagar on Friday. Representatives and officials from 17 towns came for the meeting where members of the Gujarat state built heritage policy committee tried to understand the issues faced by them in heritage conservation and how they can be
overcome.

“One of the biggest problems is that of creating alternative funding sources for heritage conservation. Including it in VAT was one of the options discussed, as it is a state subject. We are likely to include it in our recommendations to the government,” said a member of the committee, Ajay Chaudhary. Western countries have raised funds for heritage conservation through tax, he added.

Besides, corporate funding is emerging as a thrust area, along with government support. Another aspect discussed was opening up the heritage properties for photography and videography to international markets as there is great interest in studying these styles of architecture and design. Tourism is another option.

These can generate income, which when pooled up, could be enough to sustain the maintenance of the structures.

“Did you know that pictures of Junagadh Palace are a big hit? These generate income for the palace, which can be used to conserve it,” Chaudhary added.

“Most of these people (officials and representatives of towns) were very well aware of their heritage structures and had come with a comprehensive list.

The overall feeling was that the conservation of these precious assets should not be left to agencies like the PWD, as they only see a civil engineering solution to any problem. The structure will vanish before conservation will happen,” president of the committee, PK Ghosh said.

A positive outcome of the meeting might be an initiative by the heritage committee to take up a pilot project of restoring the Hawa Mahal in Surendranagar City.

Girnar Mountain Ropeway Rahul Gandhi Junagadh City News Gujarat India

Rahul Gandhi Summons Junagadh Congress Men for Girnar Rope Way Issue.

In a youth vision program 2010 held to import training to congress elected office bearers in the presence of all India congress general secretary Shri Rahul Gandhi at Koba of Gandhinagar from 19-1-10 to 22-1-10 the team of representation to Shri Rahul Gandhi regarding the issues of Girnar Mountain Ropeway dark zone, railway forest department and fishermen.

In present to this Rahul Gandhi invited the youth congress worker.

The youth team of Junagadh City Gujarat also explained to Shri Rahul Gandhi as to in what way the central government would be helpful in connection with the above issues. In this context Shri Rahul Gandhi Summoned five members of youth congress and three

Remember of Junagadh Municipal Corporation to Gandhi in Issue of Girnar Parvat Ropeway and asked congress secretary Shri Jintendra Sinh to take up the matter, with the union forest suitable action for getting the sanction for the same.

Veraval Taluka Junagadh District News Samachar Gujarat India

130 school students suffer food poisoning.

Over 130 students of a primary school in Junagadh district of Gujarat suffered from food poisoning after participating in mid-day meal today, police said.

The incident took place in a government-run primary school of Navadra village, they said.

"Nearly 160 students took the mid-day meal at the school today, out of which 130 complained of feeling sick," Junagadh District Development Officer (DDO), Banchhandi Pani told PTI.

"Nearly 103 students have been referred to Veraval civil hospital, while 16 are getting treatment at Prabhas Patan primary health center (PHC) while some have been sent home after treatment," he said.

According to Bani, the students were served Lapsi (prepared using wheat flour, sugar and ghee) and potato curry.

Police said samples of the cooked food as well as the raw material have been sent to the forensic science laboratory at Junagadh district headquarters for tests.

Narendra Modi Bhartiya Janta Party Junagadh Saurashtra News Gujarat India

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi readies young team for civic polls.

In a bid to get a sweeping verdict in the upcoming state civic polls, chief minister Narendra Modi has fielded youngsters in most of the districts. The party declared its organizational commanders of 33 districts on Friday and Saturday.

For the first time BJP has put faith in the young brigade. Most of the district and city heads have been nominated by the state leadership. "We now have a team with an average age of 45 years," said Bharatsinh Parmar, Bhartiya Janta Party general secretary who is looking after the entire election process. "It goes without saying that they have to form a strong team to strengthen the party organization," he added.

The newly appointed presidents of the districts and city units have been ordered to form teams with strong organizational network, and they have also been asked not to look back until the civic polls, which are scheduled to be held at the end of this year. Out of 33 districts, the party has selected eight MLAs to hold responsibilities for key districts.

The responsibility of all major cities has been given to candidates who are at the most 45 years old. Ahmedabad city is in the hands of young MLA Rakesh Shah, who was elected for the first time, from the Ellisbridge constituency. Vadodara and Surat have been handed over to Bharat Dangar and Purnesh Modi respectively.


Rajkot city has been allotted to Dhansukh Bhanderi, former mayor. There is a big responsibility on the shoulders of Jitu Hirpara, who has been nominated for Junagadh city. He has to strengthen the BJP which lost the Junagadh municipal corporation poll last year.

There are eight MLAs nominated as the chiefs of district organizations. Pragji Patel, MLA from Mandal, has been elected as the president of Ahmedabad district, Mohan Kundaria (Tankaria), is the head of Rajkot district. Rushikesh Patel (Visnagar), has to look after Mehsana and Jayanti Bhanushali (Abdasa), is head of Kutch district.

The responsibility of Kheda district is on Bimal Shah, MLA from Kapadvanj, while Mulu Bera, an MLA from Jamnagar, will look after Jamnagar district's party organization. Praful Patel, MLA from Himmatnagar, has been assigned the responsibility of Sabarkantha.

BJP Junagadh City State Saurashtra News Gujarat India

Gujarat BJP appoints 15 districts, city presidents

Gujarat BJP, today, appointed party unit presidents for 15 districts while appointments of presidents for 17 district and city units will be made tomorrow.

"We have made appointments for party unit presidents of 15 district and city units today while remaining appointments will be made tomorrow," said Bharatsinh Parmar, state BJP general secretary, who is supervising the state unit's organizational election process.

Those who have been appointed district presidents are, Ramesh Chaudhary as president of Dangs, Ashok Dhorajia president of Navsari, Kanti Gamit president of Tapi, Gajendrasinh Jadeja president of Narmada, Dhirubhai Dangar, president of Vadodara city, former minister Bimal Shah, president of Kheda District, Shakuntalaben Patel, president of Gandhinagar City and MLA Praful Patel, president of Sabarkantha party unit.

Dr Kiran Mogra has been appointed as president of Banaskantha, MLA Mulubhai Bera has been made president of Jamnagar district BJP, Jitu Hirpara has been appointed as president of Junagadh city unit while former minister Madhabhai Boricha has been nominated as the president of Junagadh district unit.

Deepa Hiremath Anand Junagadh Agricultural Colleage University News

Deepa Hiremath sweeps all 14 gold medals in agriculture.

The sixth convocation of Anand Agricultural University (AAU) will be held on Wednesday. The star attraction here would be 20-year-old Deepa Hiremath, who is the first girl in the university's history to sweep all 14 gold medals as well as cash reward.

"It's a matter of immense pride as the university has 75 per cent boys and 25 per cent girls. Despite the small numbers, this girl has pipped all to post and walked away with all the gold medals," said AAU vice-chancellor (V-C) AAU MC Varshneya.

Deepa is currently pursuing her Masters in Agriculture (economics) at Junagadh Agricultural University in Junagadh City State Saurashtra Kathiyavad Region. University officials said the girl has broken all the records as earlier there have been two girls who won nine and seven gold medals, but never the complete sweep.

Meanwhile, Varshneya said 330 graduate, post-graduate and doctoral students will be awarded degrees at the convocation. Chairman of Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board Dr CD Mayee will be the chief guest, while Gujarat governor and chancellor Dr Kamla will preside over the convocation function.

A special highlight of the convocation would be awarding Doctorate of Sciences degree to four veterans, who have made significant contribution in the field of agricultural sciences. These include Dr AC Pandya, Dr PD Mistry, Dr GM Dave and Dr Janki Raman, all four who have dedicated their lives to establishing new techniques and concepts in agriculture science and research.

Sasan Gir National Park Wildlife Sanctuary Junagadh News Gujarat India

Lion census is set to begin shortly at the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and the State Forest Department may also take up GIS mapping this time.

But in an irony of sorts, a recent training conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has shown that only 16 per cent of the total staff manning the sanctuary actually knows the exact application of The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. About 490 Gir staff had attended the first-ever WTI training in Gujarat.

Rakesh Singh, WTI Coordinator, told The Sunday Express: “The training was conducted from December 9 to 25 and had two segments. In some cases, it was disappointing to know that the forest officials were not even aware of the application of The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Under this Act, every forest officer is empowered to arrest a person, detain vehicles and even seize property if he comes across any wildlife crime. However, not many forest guards and range forest officers were aware about this.”

He added: “There were multiple choice questions in the post training session. Only 50 per cent of the total participants were able to identify the pug/hoof marks of antelopes, lions, sloth bear, chital, hyena, sambhar and black bucks.”

WTI officials said most of the forest officers had already completed 30 years of service as beat guards and range officers.

“The Forest Department has been giving training to the frontline staff, but most of them failed to answer basic queries such as how crime investigation should be done,” Singh said. He also did not rule out that a lack of understanding of wildlife could lead under-reporting of cases.

According to the WTI, nearly 25 per cent of the total staff undergoing training failed to identify wildlife crime; out of 490 staffers, 324 did not know what a protected area is, and only 16 per cent of the total staff knew what their powers are.

“Forest authorities told us that our training received a negative feedback, but the forest officials said otherwise,” said WTI officials.

A Round Forest officer from Girnar Forest Range said: “I have been in this service for 30 years. The WTI training has been more effective, so much so that after the training we were able to identify 13 wildlife crimes.”

Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) M M Sharma refused to comment on the matter.

India is known for its culture, heritage, wildlife, deserts, temples, palaces and forts. India has plenty offers for eager traveler. If you are loving of wildlife and nature than India is favorite destination.

Junagadh City Caves History Buddhism News Saurashtra Gujarat India

Buddha was here, says Lankan scholar.

While M S University's department of archaeology and ancient history may have grabbed global attention with its possession of Lord Buddha's relics, but few might know that in his lifetime Lord Buddha had visited Gujarat. This startling piece of information was given by professor Anura Manatunga from Sri Lanka, who presented his paper "Buddhism in Gujarat: Some supplementary evidences from Sri Lanka".

"There are two references in Sri Lankan sources about Lord Buddha's visit to the state during his lifetime. As per first reference in Mahavamsa, which is a revered chronicle of Sri Lanka, Buddha visited Sunnapparantaka Janapad (part of Gujarat) along with 500 monks on the invitation of great monk Sunnapparantaka in his ninth year after he became Buddha. It is further stated that he preached Buddha dharma at Chandanshala of Muhalu Ashram, also in Gujarat," said Manatunga, who is the director of Centre for Asian Studies in University of Kelaniya.

He added, "The text adds that from Sunnapparantaka, he left for Narmada River on an invitation of a Nag King of Narmada and set up sacred footprints of Buddha at the mouth of Narmada River. The second source says that public society of traders of Sunnapparantaka Janapad is one of the 24 societies which had been preached by Lord Buddha during his lifetime. One can infer that these places refer to Gujarat as apparantaka' which means west-end of the country. In Indian context, it only points towards the state," added Manatunga.

Quoting more evidences from Mahavamsa, Manatunga explains that their country was colonised by a prince Vijaya along with 700 followers hailing from Lata country that was a part of Gujarat. "It is mentioned that prince Vijaya came to Sri Lanka on the same day when Buddha died. His successor king S L Panduvasadeva too came from Lata. It can be inferred that Sri Lanka has a strong Gujarat connection and influence," said professor Manatunga.

The Sri Lankan researcher also said that Buddhism too finds a strong presence in state with ancient Sri Lankan inscriptions revealing that a chief named Mala had gone from Bharuch to Sri Lanka where he constructed and donated a cave to Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. "There is another inscription from Junagadh City that refers to a construction of two-cell cave by two Sri Lankan brothers Buddha Mitra and Buddha Rakshita. They were described as sons of horse traders who lived in Bharuch having migrated from Sri Lanka," he said.

"Sources also enumerate instances of presence of many viharas and monasteries in Saurashtra Janapad, which was described as a wealthiest of all Janapad's of the country," said Manatunga.

Buddhist Pilgrimage Gujarat Heritage Tourism Saurashtra News India

Gujarat to be projected as Buddhist pilgrimage destination.

After being stashed away for more than 50 years since its excavation, the stone casket containing the mortal remains of Lord Gautam Buddha would become the mascot for the state government, which now wants to popularize Gujarat as a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The remains were excavated from Dev Ni Mori Buddhist stupas by archaeologist B Subbarao.

A three-day international seminar on Buddhist heritage would be held in Vadodara MS University campus from January 15. The event would see several Buddhist scholars from all around the world including, 1,500 religious preachers, academicians and His Holiness Dalai Lama converge at varsity.

South East Asian countries, certain European and South American countries which have over the last few years shown interest in investments in the state would be the prime focus. These include Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Germany, USA, Canada, and Bangladesh.

Several religious and political leaders would be in Vadodara at the inaugural session of the international seminar. The list includes a ministerial representative from Bhutan, Lonopyo Pashi Zimba; spiritual leaders like, Oozing Trina Lee; Uttrakhand CM Ramesh Pokhariyal; patron of Maha Buddha society in India, BK Modi; Swami Dayanand Saraswati, and vice-chancellor of MS University Mrinalidevi Puar.

Gujarat Tourism Development Minister Jaynarayan Vyas, said, "The international seminar would be a platform for the state where scholars from around the world would appreciate the Buddhist past of Gujarat. In fact, Gujarat was a centre for both Hinayana and Mahayana forms of Buddhism. The accounts of Chinese travellers Huen Tsang and I Tsing have references to Buddhist monasteries in the state."

The main motive of the international event would be promoting documentation of Buddhist artifacts in the state. The excavations of Buddhist sites in recent years in Vadnagar, Sana caves, Khambalida, Siyot caves, Junagadh City Khapra kodia monastery and Talaja caves would be put on display along with Dev Ni Mori site along river Meshvo.

Girnar Mountain Temples Climbing Competition News Saurashtra Gujarat India

State level Girnar climbing race on 3rd January 2010.

The annual state level Girnar climbing race will be held on 3rd January.

The competition this year has attracted 1496 applications for participation from 18 districts of the state. Of this 1022 applications are from Junagadh districts.

Due to increased distance of race, this year, the competition has received 299 lesser applications compare to last year.

The Mount Girnar is tallest peak of Gujarat. Every year state level and national level competitions are held here. The participants run on steps that are well constructed on the hill to reach atop.

Rajkot Junagadh City Sorath News Saurashtra Gujarat India

Rajkot college director wins national award.

Ayaz Khan I Babi, the director of Rajkumar College, Rajkot City, has been conferred with the Guruvar Award 2009 for lifetime achievement. Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal recently presented the award to Khan in New Delhi. The award carries prize money of Rs 10 lakh.

Khan, who belongs to the princely family of Parvin Babi from Panjod (Junagadh District), did not apply for the award, but his former students ensured that he got 62,000 nominations. Khan’s students include slain Maharashtra cadre IPS officer Ashok Kamte and Kenyan cricketer Hitesh Modi among others.

Guruvar Award is a Vareky Gems Foundation initiative that has started from this year. Four teachers from four zones of the country have been selected for four categories of the award. The Guruvar award is given for lifetime achievement, outstanding Indian teacher, young teacher and teacher for children with special needs.