Surat - Loktej English

Surat: Sindhi Language Recognition Day Celebrated in the City, Commitment to Mother Tongue Preservation Made

Loktej English Team — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:25:42 +0530

Surat. Today, the Indian Sindhu Sabha and Surat Sindhi Panchayat celebrated Sindhi Language Recognition Day with enthusiasm.

This day is observed every year on April 10, as it was on this day in 1967 that the Sindhi language was officially recognized by being included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. During the event, prominent community leader Harish Lalwani highlighted the importance of the mother tongue and urged people to communicate in Sindhi both at home and outside. He mentioned that the role of a mother is crucial in the preservation of any language, as children receive their initial cultural values from home.

Speakers expressed concern that the increasing influence of English and other languages is leading to a decline in the use of mother tongues, which poses a challenge to cultural identity. The event was attended by several community leaders, including Vasudev D. Gopalani, president of the Surat Sindhi Panchayat, along with Bhagwandas Bhachandani, Nankaram Atalani, Ghanshyambhai Khattar, Gordhanbhai, Vishnubhai, Madanbhai, Leelaram Ahuja, Mayur Hotavani, Trilokbhai, Thadhani Sunita Ben, Palak Ben, and Taruna Vadhwani.

During the event, Pratap Gopalani, coordinator of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra of the Indian Sindhu Sabha, also provided information about the upcoming Sindhu Yatra. The program concluded with the national anthem and a peace mantra, where everyone pledged to preserve and promote the mother tongue.

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Surat: A Historic Day for the Chemical Sector, MoU Signed Between Chamber of Commerce and 'Chemexcil' for 5 Years

Loktej English Team — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:25:25 +0530

Surat. April 10, 2026, has proven to be a milestone in the industrial history of South Gujarat.

The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 'Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics and Dyes Export Promotion Council' (Chemexcil), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India, for a duration of five years. This historic agreement took place in the presence of senior officials from both organizations at the Chemexcil headquarters in Mumbai. The biggest achievement of this partnership will be the annual organization of the 'Chemical and Pharma Expo' in Surat.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Nikhil Madras, stated that this expo will provide the chemical and pharma units of Surat a direct opportunity to establish their identity at national and international levels. Under the MoU, both organizations will focus on the following activities over the next five years: Export Guidance: Entrepreneurs will be informed about necessary policies and market trends to enhance exports in the global market. Seminars and Workshops: Mentoring programs and technical seminars will be held at regular intervals.

Policy Support: Coordination with the government on policy issues related to the chemical sector will benefit local industries. During the MoU signing, dignitaries from the Chamber included Honorary Minister Bijal Zariwala, Honorary Treasurer CA Mitish Modi, Secretary Polik Desai, and E.J. Thomas.

From Chemexcil, Chairman Satish Wagh, Vice Chairman Ankit Patel, Director General Raghubir Kini, and Executive Director Vishal Ganju described this partnership as a new direction for the industrial development of Surat. The Chairman of Chemexcil assured that they would fully support preparing Surat's chemical sector for global competition. This partnership is expected to not only increase trade but also open avenues for new technology and investment.

Meeting of Laghu Udyog Bharati in Surat, preparations for Indian Industrial Fair 2026 gain momentum

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:38:13 +0530

A significant meeting organized by Laghu Udyog Bharati in Surat developed a detailed strategy for the successful organization of the 'Indian Industrial Fair Enterprise 2026'. This grand industrial fair will be held from October 23 to 26, 2026, at the Helipad Ground in Gandhinagar.

During the meeting, officials and entrepreneurs enthusiastically participated in discussions on various aspects to make this fair the largest industrial expo in the Gujarat region. Former national president Vaju Bhai Vaghasiya mentioned that this industrial fair would prove to be an important opportunity for small and medium enterprises across the country. It would establish new business relationships and open new avenues for investment.

The meeting was attended by Gujarat president Ishwar Patel, Karnavati division president Ramesh Thumar, Karnavati division vice president and Surat city president Ramavatar Parik, Surat vice president Ramesh Rathi, Surat general secretary Satish Sawani, joint general secretary Pankaj Sharma, treasurer Vinod Saraswat, along with several officials including Virendra Rajawat and Paresh Lathia. Key sectors such as engineering, textiles, pharma, green energy, dairy, packaging, automobiles, agriculture, electronics, food and beverage, building materials, plastics, and defense will be included in the fair. At the end of the meeting, all members unitedly resolved to make this event successful and expressed confidence in working towards making it a milestone for the industrial sector.

Surat: The Eye Donation and Body Donation of the Late Samjhuben Vekariya, an Inspiring Example for Society

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:12:30 +0530

In an exemplary initiative for human service and social welfare, the late Samjhuben Vekariya's eye and body donation was successfully completed by the Vekariya family. This noble act was carried out with the joint cooperation of Lions International 3232 F-2, Indian Red Cross Society Choryasi branch, and Lok Drishti Eye Bank.

The late Samjhuben was originally a resident of Surajpura village in Amreli district. After her passing, the family informed Dr. Prafulbhai Shiroya, the head of Lok Drishti Eye Bank, following which the eye donation process was completed.

Family members Chhaganbhai Kalyanbhai Vekariya, Rameshbhai Kalyanbhai Vekariya, and others, with the blessings of the late Shamjibhai and the inspiration and understanding of Dr. Kanubhai Chhaganbhai Vekariya, Dr. Neeravbhai Chhaganbhai Vekariya, Dr.

Jayaben Neeravbhai Vekariya, Priyank Neeravbhai Vekariya, Vibhaben Kanubhai Vekariya, Pranay Kanubhai Vekariya, and Vaishu Kanubhai Vekariya, accomplished this invaluable task. Dr. Praful Shiroya stated that through the eye donation, two needy individuals will benefit from corneal transplants, bringing new light into the lives of the visually impaired within 72 hours.

Meanwhile, the body donation was handed over to the Indian Red Cross Society, Choryasi branch, for use by Smt. S. M.

Medical College, aiding medical students in the study and research of human anatomy. This will provide future doctors with training to offer better health services. Dr.

Deepa Gupta, Dr. Manju Singhal, Dr. Amardeep Bissa, and other doctors and staff from the anatomy department of Smt.

S. M. Medical College paid tribute to the body donor and expressed gratitude to the family.

On this occasion, members of Lok Drishti Eye Bank and Lions Club also praised the family's inspiring decision and paid heartfelt tributes. The Vekariya family conveyed the message to society by keeping traditional rituals simple that 'blood donation in life and eye and organ donation after death' is the greatest donation. Their step has become a source of inspiration for society.

Surat: The Glory of Cow Service Will Resound with the Chaupais of Sundarkand

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:08:34 +0530

A grand religious event is being organized in the city to spread the message of cow service to every individual. Under the noble resolve of the founder and chief guardian of the world's largest cow shelter, Shri Godham Mahatirth Pathmeda, revered Gaurishi Swami Shri Dattasharanandji Maharaj, the Surat branch of Pathmeda will host a musical Sundarkand event led by the renowned Sundarkand reciter Ajay Yagnik.

This divine program will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 5 PM at Panchvati Hall, Maharaja Agrasen Palace, located in Citylight. During the event, devotees will have a special experience of devotion and spirituality through the chaupais of Sundarkand.

Alok Singhal, CEO and in-charge of Shri Godham Mahatirth Pathmeda, has appealed to the cow devotees, cow service workers, and lovers of the Ramayana in Surat to attend this sacred occasion with their families in large numbers to gain religious benefits. He mentioned that this event will serve as a powerful medium to convey the importance of cow service to the public.

Surat: Rangoli Competition for Awareness in Municipal Elections, Students Convey Message of Democracy

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:08:17 +0530

Surat. A rangoli competition was organized by the District Education Officer's office in all schools of Surat district to enhance election awareness.

This initiative aimed to make students aware of the importance of democracy and voting. Attractive rangolis were also created in the premises of the Surat District Collectorate and the District Panchayat office as part of the program. Students from various schools showcased their creativity by preparing election-themed rangolis in a large size of 10x15 feet.

Students from Hills High School created a beautiful rangoli based on voting awareness at the District Seva Sadan-2 Collectorate, while students from The Mandvi School also presented an impressive display in the same premises. Additionally, students from Sanskar Bharati School attracted everyone's attention by making impactful rangoli on voting awareness at the Surat District Panchayat building. Through these rangolis, messages such as 'Voting is a duty' and 'Aware Voter – Strong Democracy' were effectively presented.

This creative expression by the students reflects their social responsibility and awareness. On this occasion, the District Collector congratulated and appreciated the participating students and guiding teachers, stating that such programs play a significant role in raising awareness about voting in society.

All schools in the district enthusiastically participated, making this program a success. This initiative is proving to be helpful in increasing election awareness not only among students but also among the general public.

Surat: Municipal Corporation to develop modern sports and cultural hub in Jahangirpura and Vesu

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:06:39 +0530

Surat. The Surat Municipal Corporation has planned to launch two major and state-of-the-art projects to promote sports and cultural activities in the city.

Under these projects, complexes equipped with modern facilities will be developed in the Jahangirpura and Vesu areas. Recently, Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan provided a detailed presentation on these projects, sharing information about their design, facilities, and operations.

In the Jahangirpura area, a modern sports complex and swimming pool will be built on a plot of approximately 17,000 square meters. This complex will feature indoor sports such as gym, badminton, and table tennis, as well as outdoor facilities like pickleball, volleyball, and box cricket. Additionally, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a learner pool, a restaurant, and a sports utility shop will also be developed.

A cafeteria and modern equipment will be arranged for the convenience of athletes. Meanwhile, in the Vesu area, the state's first integrated sports and arts facility project named 'Synergy Arena' will be developed on an area of approximately 25,000 square meters near the Martyrs' Memorial. This complex will include an auditorium with a capacity of 1200 to 1500 people and a convention hall with a capacity of 1200 people, which can be used for cultural programs, exhibitions, seminars, and social events.

It will also include 15 to 20 hotel-like rooms, banquet halls, and a separate sports complex. The operation and maintenance of these two projects are planned to be managed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, which will reduce the management burden on the municipal corporation and provide better services to citizens. Commissioner M.

Nagarajan suggested necessary improvements to make the projects more beneficial for the public and directed to expedite the work according to the budget provisions for the financial year 2026-27. Upon completion of these projects, citizens of Surat will have access to modern sports facilities and a world-class platform for cultural activities in one place, which is expected to give a new direction to the overall development of the city.

Surat: Use of Bio-Enzymes to Control Smoke at Khajod Dumping Site

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:06:01 +0530

Surat. Following the fire at the Khajod dumping site, the municipal corporation has started adopting new technologies and experimental measures to control the smoke that has been rising for an extended period.

The situation became serious after a massive fire broke out in RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) in the Khajod area on March 24, which spread to the nearby sanitary landfill due to strong winds. The fire department took immediate action and managed to control the fire on March 26 with the help of 10 fire tenders and approximately 8.2 million liters of water. To prevent the fire from spreading again, 140 trucks made over 250 trips using 18 excavators and JCB machines, covering the waste with about 1,500 tons of soil.

However, due to the smoldering fire in the inner parts of the waste, the problem of continuous smoke persisted until April 8. According to the municipal corporation, the main reasons for this were incomplete combustion, methane gas emissions, and the impact of strong winds. In a meeting held on April 8 to find a permanent solution to this problem, experts suggested the use of 'bioculture.' A demonstration of a bio-enzyme called 'Rainzyme,' prepared by an expert from Ahmedabad, was conducted, which could help in breaking down methane gas and controlling fire and smoke.

The municipal corporation is also exploring the possibility of spraying this bio-enzyme through drones to easily reach the inner parts of the waste. To ensure a continuous water supply to the site from a 500,000-liter capacity water tank located near Dream City, a permanent pumping system has been established, eliminating the need for fire tenders to bring water from distant areas.

Additionally, to prevent potential fire incidents from methane gas at the site, 24-hour surveillance and monitoring are being conducted through CCTV cameras. This initiative by the municipal corporation is considered a significant step towards making waste management and disaster control in the city more effective through modern technology and environmental solutions.

Surat: Bank of Baroda's Major Step: Easy Banking in 22 Languages with 'Bob Samvad'

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:06:37 +0530

Bank of Baroda has launched an AI-driven multilingual platform named 'Bob Samvad' to simplify and make customer service more inclusive. The platform was officially inaugurated on March 28, 2026, by M.

Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, in Mumbai. 'Bob Samvad' is the first in-house developed AI platform in the banking sector that enables seamless and accurate real-time conversations between two people in 22 Indian languages with low latency. Its aim is to eliminate language barriers between customers and bank staff in branches.

During the event, M. Nagaraju praised this initiative, stating that 'Bob Samvad' will promote inclusive banking through technology and strengthen customer service. He described it as a new standard for the banking sector, which will provide better facilities to customers speaking different languages.

On this occasion, the bank's Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Debadatt Chanda, mentioned that this platform is an excellent example of customer-centric design and cutting-edge technology. He explained that through 'Bob Samvad', customers can speak or write in their preferred language, which is instantly translated into the staff's language, and the staff's response is also translated back into the customer's language.

This platform is available not only in text but also in voice mode, making it fully accessible for customers who prefer listening over reading. The conversation is also displayed as text on the screen, enhancing both understanding and transparency. Additionally, M.

Nagaraju visited another green initiative of the bank, 'Bob Forest', which is a 6,000 square foot green garden developed at the bank's office in BKC, Mumbai. This initiative reflects the bank's commitment to environmental and sustainable development (ESG).

In the first phase, 'Bob Samvad' will be implemented in 250 branches across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, followed by a phased rollout across the country. This new technology will not only simplify banking services but also provide customers with a better and seamless experience while respecting India's linguistic diversity.

Surat: Grand Award Ceremony of Gujarat Red Cross, Surat's Chauryasi Branch Wins Three Awards

Loktej English Team — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:43:57 +0530

A grand award ceremony was organized on March 30, 2026, at the Red Cross building in Old Vadj, Ahmedabad, by the Gujarat state branch of the Indian Red Cross Society to honor district and taluka branches for their outstanding work during the annual general meeting for the year 2024-25. The event was attended by several dignitaries including Gujarat state branch chairman Ajaybhai Patel, secretary Prakashbhai Parmar, Ajaybhai Shah, Narmada MLA Dr.

Darshana Deshmukh, Saurashtra zone chairman Dr. Deepak Patel, central Gujarat zone chairman Deepak Dave, southern zone chairman Dr. Atul Desai, and Ashokbhai Shilu.

During the ceremony, various branches were awarded first and second prizes for their excellent work and successful implementation of superior projects. On this occasion, Surat's Indian Red Cross Society's Chauryasi branch performed remarkably, winning a total of three awards. The Chauryasi branch was honored for its outstanding contributions in eye donation, body donation, blood donation, disaster management, first aid and CPR training, as well as junior Red Cross and youth Red Cross activities.

To receive these awards, Chauryasi branch chairman Dr. Prafullbhai Shiroya, Dineshbhai Jogani, Kishorbhai Mangrolia, and Jagdishbhai Bodra were present at the Red Cross building in Ahmedabad, becoming part of this proud moment.

Surat Municipal Corporation Elections: BJP Parliamentary Board Meeting on Thursday Evening, Candidate Announcement Possible by Night

Loktej English Team — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:55:31 +0530

Political activity has intensified regarding the Surat Municipal Corporation elections. In this context, an important meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party's state parliamentary board will be held on Thursday, April 9, at 2 PM, where final decisions on candidate names are expected.

According to reliable sources, the list of candidates may be released late at night after the meeting. It is also reported that a coordination meeting of MPs and MLAs will be held before the meeting, which will be attended by the minister in charge of Surat and the state's finance minister, Kanubhai Desai. A total of 120 candidates will be selected from 30 wards of the Surat Municipal Corporation.

There is intense competition and activity among aspirants regarding ticket distribution in several wards. Sources indicate that the last date for filing nominations has been set for April 11, while voting will take place on April 26 and counting on April 28.

Previously, observer teams were sent to Surat by the BJP and the election committee, which have prepared a panel of three to four names after discussions with potential candidates in various wards. The final decision on these names will be made in the parliamentary board meeting.

Surat: ‘Women Entrepreneurship Conclave’ organized by Chamber of Commerce, women entrepreneurs received a powerful platform

Loktej English Team — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:54:48 +0530

Surat. The Women Entrepreneur Cell of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a grand ‘Women Entrepreneurship Conclave’ at Platinum Hall in Sarsana.

The conclave, held under the theme ‘Breaking Barriers and Embracing Strength’, provided women entrepreneurs with a platform for networking, guidance, and inspiration. Advocate Nupur Sharma from the Supreme Court was present as the chief guest. In her address, she mentioned that being happy for the success of others and participating in it is the key to advancing society and the nation.

She also stated that women in India are safe and developed, and they should recognize their potential and move towards self-reliance. Nikhil Madras, the president of the chamber, explained that the purpose of this conclave is to provide women entrepreneurs with a strong platform where they can connect, share experiences, and give new direction to their businesses. Expert speakers Rajal C., Dr.

Aanchal Panth, and Dr. Shubhra Pandey participated in the conclave, guiding women entrepreneurs on important topics such as finance, marketing, branding, personal presentation, and health management. Ankita Waland, chairperson of the Women Entrepreneur Cell, stated that this conclave proved to be an important platform to inspire women to move forward with confidence.

The event also included panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking activities, with a large number of women entrepreneurs actively participating. In the end, the chamber officials expressed gratitude to all participants.