Ro-Ro Service @ Saurashtra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday launch India’s first roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ferry services in Gujarat. PM Modi had announced this himself while addressing a huge gathering on October 16. Developed at a cost of around Rs 615-crore, the project has been executed by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). The ferry services will dramatically reduce travel time between Saurashtra region in Gujarat with the southern parts of the state. On Friday, PM Modi shared a video providing a glimpse into what he calls his “dream project.”

The Ro-Ro services between Ghogha in Bhavnagar district and Dahej in Bharuchwill will facilitate vehicular and passenger ferry services across the Gulf of Cambay. It will not only reduce the travel time between the two regions, Ro-Ro ferry services will also allow vehicles with passengers aboard.

Gujarat households better off in basic amenities

Apr 1, 2012

Households in Gujarat fare much better than those in other parts of the country as far as amenities such as availability of bathroom, closed drainage and kitchen are concerned, the Census for Household Amenities 2011 shows.

The total number of households in Gujarat was recorded at 1.21 crore, of which bathroom was available in 56.5% houses. As against this, bathroom was available in 42% of the 24.66 crore households in the country.

The number of households in cities such as Ahmedabad (81.9%), Surat (76.4%) and Rajkot (71.6%) was sharply higher than the state's average. Districts in the eastern belt of the state, which have a large tribal population, fared extremely poorly.

"Bathrooms were available in 30.1% households in Banaskantha, 37.7% in Sabarkantha, 35.3% in Kheda, 24.5% in Panchmahals, 12.2% in Dahod,17.2% in Narmada, 13.7% in Dangs and 21.8% in Tapi," the data show.

In 11% households in the state, bathing facility was without a roof as against the national average of 16.4%. 32.6% households in the state were without a bathroom, while the corresponding national figure was 41.6%. Again, many of the tribal-dominated districts fared poorly on all these parameters.

However, the percentage of households in Gujarat without a drainage connection was much higher than the national average.

The data show that 48.9% households in the country had no drainage facility, while the number in the state stood almost five points higher at 53.3%.

However, closed drainage facility was available in 37.3% households in the state - more than double the national average of 18.15%. One-third households in the country had open drainage facility, while the number was less than one out of every 10 households in the state.

The state also fared far better than the country in kitchen availability. Kitchen was available in 61.3% households in the country, while the number stood at 72.3% in the state. There were 31.5% households in the country which did not have a kitchen. As against this, the number of such households was 21.2% in the state. In 6.8% households in the country, cooking was done in the open, while the number was 6.1% in the case of Gujarat. There were 0.3% households in the country where no cooking took place. In Gujarat's case, this number was 0.4%, which could be due to the large migrant population in the state.

Who will Congress, BJP field for RS from Gujarat?

Sunday, Mar 18, 2012

This weekend is that of fervent political speculations - over the Rajya Sabha candidates of Congress and BJP.

The terms of three BJP MPs -Vijay Rupani, Arun Jaitley and Kanjibhai Patel -and Congress’s Pravin Rashtrapal will be ending this month. While BJP late on Friday evening announced that Jaitley will be repeated, guesswork is rife on the other two candidates.

Names of Shivlal Vekariya or Bhavnaben Chikhalia from Saurashtra and Bhupendrasinh Chudasama or IK Jadeja are doing the rounds.

Another name is that of Ram Jethmalani’s son Mahesh, but party sources are not particularly keen on him.

The theory is that the combination of a Saurashtra candidate & Kshatriya has to be maintained. “There can’t be two candidates from outside,” a source said. While the others are known faces in political circles, Vekariya is a relatively low-key much respected veteran from Saurashtra. He was an elected BJP MP in 1991 but left with Shankersinh Vaghela and rejoined in 2002.

“But these are mere speculations, one can never tell, period. There can and will be a surprise. Modi is taking a call on these two candidates. Jaitley was central leadership’s decision. All we know is that it will be a very strategic decision keeping the forthcoming state and then LS elections in mind,” a source said.

BJP sources believe Modi strictly follows no-repeat policy. There has been buzz that Rupani might be repeated but sources believe his utility would be higher in managing elections for Saurashtra where BJP is on a sticky wicket.

Lack of clarity prevails in Congress as well. One theory doing the rounds is that Rashtrapal will be repeated with an eye on the party’s depleting Dalit vote bank.

Other probable candidates are former Sabarkantha MP Madhusudan Mistry and Shankersinh Vaghela. Mistry has risen to the top echelons of the party in the Congress working committee.
Though Vaghela heads the campaign committee of the party in Gujarat, he is believed to be desperate for a national role.

Saurashtra lose in Vijay Hazare league

 Feb 29, 2012

Mumbai: Despite Cheteshwar Pujara's fine knock of 80, Saurashtra got bundled out for a mere 173, which Gujarat achieved comfortably to register a four-wicket victory in an inconsequential West Zone Vijay Hazare one-day league tie here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first here at the Wankhede Stadium, Saurashtra scored 173 all out in 47.5 overs and in reply Gujarat reached the target, making 175 for six in 39.3 overs.

Saurashtra got off to a poor start with three of their batsmen out for ducks, even as the scorecard read 14 for four.

Pujara then coupled with Chirag Jani (42) to consolidate the innings.

The duo managed to take the score past the 100-run mark but once the 22-year-old Jani was dismissed, it was left to Pujara, who hit three sixes and as many fours in his 126-ball 80, to single-handedly guide Saurashtra to 173.

For Gujarat, debutant opening bowler Rush Kalaria took 4 for 21.

In reply to Saurashtra's modest total, Gujarat got off to a good start with the openers, Avi Barot and Priyank Panchal putting up a half-century stand together to lay a solid platform.

Thereafter, Sunny Patel (43) helped the team win easily.

Both sides were already out of the contention for a berth in the inter-zonals before today's final league game.

Meanwhile in Delhi, left-arm spinner Rajwinder Singh Golu returned with career-best figures of five for 20 as Punjab crushed Himachal Pradesh by 84 runs at the Palam ground, to comfortably make it to the knock-out stages.

Punjab scored 217 for eight in 50 overs and then Rajwinder ripped through the HP middle-order to dismiss them for 133 runs in 41.5 overs. Punjab thus finished second in the group with four victories having lost one match against Delhi.

Skipper Harbhajan Singh was again at his economical best as he had figures of one for 31 in eight overs.

For Punjab, in-from Gurkirat Singh Ahluwalia scored 59 while Taruwar Kohli (31) and Mandeep Singh (34) made some useful contributions.

Himachal Pradesh's Rishi Dhawan put up an all-round show which went in-vain. Rishi grabbed two for 44 while bowling and then hit 43 off 51 deliveries with the help of seven fours and a six.

In another match in Delhi, India pacer Ishant Sharma was back playing competitive cricket after a month's lay-off but looked gingerly during Delhi's comfortable 62-run victory over Services at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.

Incidentally, chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth had especially dropped in at the Kotla to watch Ishant bowl as he wanted to get an update on the erratic speedster's fitness. Ishant sent down six overs getting one for 29 in the process.

Ishant last played at Adelaide during the fourth Test match between India and Australia. He had a disastrous tour where he got only six wickets in four Test matches and the general notion has been that he is not hundred percent fit.

On the day, Ishant bowled in two spells of four and two overs respectively. He got a wicket with his very second delivery when he bowled Jasvir Singh. However, he didn't look very threatening after that and wasn't seen exerting himself too much.

While another left-arm seamer Pawan Suyal who has made comeback after major knee surgery bowled his full quota of 10 overs, Ishant bowled lesser number of overs than skipper Rajat Bhatia who sent down nine overs of military medium stuff.

It is highly unlikely that Ishant who has never been an automatic choice in the limited overs version would be preferred even though senior-pro Zaheer Khan is likely to be rested for the Asia Cup.

Companies which owe more than Rs1 crore in VAT

Feb 28, 2012

Close to 350 firms, including some of the leading corporates, owe in excess of Rs12,500 crore as outstanding Value Added Tax (VAT) dues to the state government, figures provided in the state assembly show.

The amount includes the pending sales tax dues of Rs8,277 crore which Essar Oil Limited owes to the state government. Essar Oil has approached Supreme Court in the matter.

In a written reply to a question by Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia, finance minister Vaju Vala said there were 344 firms each of which owed more than Rs1 crore in VAT dues to the state government. “The total amount for these 344 firms works out to the tune of Rs12,520 crore,” Vala said. Modhwadia had sought details of firms and units that owe VAT dues of Rs1 crore or more.

Besides Essar Oil, the companies which owe more than Rs1 crore in VAT dues include Reliance Industries, Adani Enterprises, ONGC, ABB Limited, Biotor, Essar Steel, Welspun India, Dishman Pharma, Pepsico India (Holdings), Saurashtra Cement and Asian Paints. Vala informed that steps had been initiated under Gujarat Sales Tax Act, Gujarat VAT Act and Land Revenue Act to recover the outstanding dues.

Ahmedabad is home to 103 of these firms, followed by Valsad with 47, Kutch with 30, Vadodara 28, Surat 22, Bhavnagar 20 and Rajkot 15. Vala also said that the recovery was not being made on account of various reasons due to stay orders, proceedings before Debt Recovery Tribunal, BIFR, or companies going into liquidation, among others.

Seeking Buddha in Gujarat, Saurashtra

Known more for Hindu and Jain religious places, Gujarat is now hoping to play host to Buddhist pilgrims too.

While in January this year, Chief Minister Narendra Modi shared the dais with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the International Seminar on Buddhist Heritage at Vadodara, the state's tourism department is now trying hard to promote the "Buddhist Footprints in Gujarat" through its website.

The earliest archeological evidence of Buddhism in Gujarat dates back to Emperor Ashoka's reign (269-232 BC). Saurashtra (known as Surashtra/ Saraostes/Syrastene in the past) finds a mention in early Buddhist literature such as the Indriya Jataka, Milinda Panha, Petavatthu, etc. In the sixth century, Bhattarkka, a general of the Gupta Emperors, established an independent principality around Valabhi (Vallabhipur). He was a devout Shaivite but the Maitraka rulers that followed him, though Hindus themselves were great patrons of Buddhism. On his visit to Gujarat in 640 AD, Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang noted the presence of 200 monasteries housing 10,000 monks at Bharuch, Atali, Kheta, Valabhi, Anandapura and Surashtra. Both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism were prevalent in Gujarat.

The following are some of the main Buddhist archeological sites in Gujarat:

Vadnagar, Mahesana
Nearly 128 km from Ahmedabad, the archeological site between River Banas and River Rupen, has a 12-cell structure that belonged to a Buddhist vihara or monastery and housed monks from the 2nd to 4th century AD. Hiuen Tsang, who visited Vadnagar (then known as Anandapur) in the 7th century, reported that the city had some 10 sangharams (resting places for Buddhist monks) with a 1,000 Buddhist monks. Archaeologists found around 2,000 artefacts including a Buddha idol, an amphora, figurines, a crucible, a grinding stone, seals, a terracotta head wearing a turban, shell bangles, necklace beads, copper and silver coins that are housed at the Museum of Archaeology at the Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara.

Perched atop the Taranga Hills nearby, is a shrine dedicated to Devi Taranmata. The idols of Taranmata and Dharanmata are of Buddhist Goddess Tara, the "Mother of all Buddhas," which usually refers to the enlightened wisdom of the Buddhas. In the Dharanmata Temple, over the halo behind the head of the marble sculpture of the Goddess Tara, is a lotus on which rests the Amitabh Buddha. The lower register of the sculpture also displays the symbolic representation of the Buddha in form of an elephant, a horse and a chakra.

Devnimori, Sabarkantha
Better known for its hotsprings, Devnimori located 132 km from Ahmedabad has a large Buddhist establishment that dates back to the period between 2nd and 7th centuries AD. King Ashoka is said to have erected as many as 80,000 stupas across India. He unearthed the ashes of Buddha from their original place and distributed them across the country, building stupas accordingly. One such stupa, from the 4th century was excavated in early 1960s at Devnimori. Close to the major trade routes of Mewar and Dungarpur, Devnimori was the site of an important Buddhist monastic centre 1,600 years ago. The mahastupa's still there but the relics including a casket containing Buddha's ashes and 17 terracotta statues of Buddha are now housed in the Department of Archaeology at The Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara.

Junagadh District
A prominent Buddhist centre since Ashoka's reign, Junagadh district is sprinkled with rock-cut-caves, monasteries and stupas at 15-odd sites such as the Ashokan rock edict at Girnar, Baba Pyara Caves, Khapra Kodia caves, Upparkot caves, Panheswer Caves, Mai Gadechi, Matri, structural monastery at Intawa, brick stupa at Bordevi and Vajrapanat, Sana caves, caves around Prabhas Patan, Mandor Caves and Savni-Gir.

Buddhist caves, about 2000 years old, are among the oldest monuments at Uparkot. Carved out of monolithic rock, these three-tiered caves are famous for their exquisite art.

Getting there:
Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. State transport and private buses are the best and the cheapest modes of transport. Ahmedabad is well-connected to all major cities and towns by road, rail and air.

Indus Civilization in Saurashtra

The Indus Civilization in Saurashtra explores the nature of ancient India’s first urban culture inGujarat. The mataerial on which this books is based was derived from Dr. Possehl’s research program in this region and the Appendices accompanying the text provide complete coverage of his data. One of the contributions this work seeks to make is a more complete understanding of the important Harappan site of Lothal to the south-west of Ahmedabad. An original hypothesis is developed in this regard which should be of interest to ancient historians and arcaeologists aloke. This discussion, plus the broader approach to the protohistoric archaeology of Gujarat, provide the student of the anciend world with a new insight into the character of the Indus Civilization in its couthwestern domain.

About the Author. :

Dr. Gregory L. Possehl is Assistant Curator of South Asian Archaeology in the University Museum at the University of Pennsylvania and an Assistant Porofessor in this University’s Department of South Asia regional Studies. He has undertaken archaeological field work in Egypt, Afghanistan, Baluchistan and India as well as the United States. He was education as an Anthropologist at the University of Washington and the University of Chicago where he received his Ph. D in 1974. Dr. Possehl’s interests in archaeology center on the character of prehistoric adaptation especially the nature off food producing subsistence systems. He has written widely on this and related topics for periodicals in both the United Stes and India. In addition to the Indus Civilization in Saurashtra Dr. Possehl has published Ancient Cities of the Indus and KULLI: Trade and the Emerrgence of Urbanization in the Indus Valley as well as The Ecological Backgrounds of South Asian Prehistory, which he edited with Dr. Kenneth A.R. Kennedy.

This book contains the following content headings :

Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Figures

List of Tables

Abbreviations

I.                     Introduction

(a)     The Problem

(b)     The Research

II.                    The Emergence of the Post Urban Harappan Phase and the Harappan Tradition

(a)     An Historical Review of Excavations

(b)     An Harappan Tradition

(c)     Sind

(d)     The Punjab

(e)     Gujarat

III.                  Gujarat: An overview of the Natural Variables

(a)     The Region

(b)     The Subregions

(c)     Saurashtra

(d)     Landform

(e)     Rainfall

(f)       Fflora

IV.                  The Archaeological Data

(a)     The Area Selected for Investigation

(b)     Exploration in the Ghelo and Kalubhar Drainage

(c)     The Basis for a Chronology

(d)     Rangpur and Lothal

(e)     The Sites: Periodization

V.                   Urban and Post Urban Harappan Settlement Patterns in Gujarat

(a)     Natural and Cultural Factors affecting Harappan Settlement Patterns in Gujarat

(b)     Nearness to Water: The Rivering Setting

(c)     Soils and Settlement

(d)     Interior Saurashtra: A Zone of Restricted Agricultural Land

(e)     Settlements in Kutch: The Tie to the Indus Valley

(f)       The Variation in the Number of Sites through Time

(g)     Models for the Interpretation of Variation

(h)     Populations Change

(i)       Migration

(j)       Variation in Living Pattern

(k)     Nuclearization and Dispersal

(l)       Serial Occupation

(m)   Summary of Site Variation Throught Time

(n)     Lothal and North Gujarat: A Hypothesis Concerning a Regional Center of Harappan Civilization

(o)     The North Gujarat Plain

(p)     Langhnaj 

(q)     Lothal

VI.                  Conclusions

Appendices

A.       Harappan Sites in Gujarat

B.       Sample of Site Data Form

C.      Report on a Human Cranium from Rampara II by Dr. Kenneth A.R. Kennedy

D.      The Archaeological Sites of the Ghelo and Kalubhar Valleys

Bibliography

Index

'Girnar Parikrama'

Vadodara, Nov 11 (PTI) Thousands of devotees from Gujarat and neighbouring states participated in the famous 'Girnar Parikrama' held in Junagadh district on the ocassion of Kartik Purnima. For the Girnar mountain parikrama, the Junagadh Municipal corporation had yesterday set up posts at various points on the 36 km-stretch which witnessed tight security arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrims. Two persons reportedly lost their lives due to cardiac arrest during this parikrama and one of them died due to drowning in a pond. Fairs were held at Vautha, Shamlaji, Bhadarva, Somnath and other places across Gujarat, which saw tribals and people from various walks of life participating in the festival and the animal trade fairs held on the day. About 20 lakhs people took part in the five-day fair concluding on Kartik Purnima, which was celebrated with large livestock fair in Vautha, where large number of donkeys and camels were auctioned. At Shamlaji, scores of pilgrims from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Mahrashtra and Rajasthan carried flags and sang devotional songs and took bath in "Nagdhara Kund" as a ritual on the occasion. Many other took a holy dip in Sabarmati. In Somnath, thousands took part in the Mahadeo Fair which ended yesterday. The fair is held to celebrate the birth of Katikeya, the son of Lord Shiva. Stage shows, folk dances and instrumental music recitals were held in the spectacular settings of the temple on the occasion, which attracts a lot of tourists and foreigners.

Sayajirao's 150th birth anniversary

VADODARA: The celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III could well be a state-wide affair. A committee formed for the celebrations is looking to hold programmes across the territory once under the Baroda state ruled by the Gaekwads.

The territory included Okhamandal and Amreli in Saurashtra, Navsari in south Gujarat, Kadi in north Gujarat and Vadodara with its surrounding areas. The sesquicentennial celebrations planned by the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III Sardha-Janma-Shatabdi Mahotsava Vadodara Mahanagar Samiti floated by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad Smarak Trust (MSGST) plans to cover the entire area in its celebrations.
The committee includes the scion of the royal Gaekwad family Ranjitsinh Gaekwad as its patron and Vadodara mayor Dr Jyoti Pandya as its president. Prominent citizens of the city have been invited as members of the celebration committee.

Trustee of MSGST Dr Bansidhar Sharma said people should not miss the opportunity of celebrating the occasion and the 150th birth anniversary should be a grand affair. He said the committee had planned several programmes. Sharma said when they travelled to distant rural areas, even people there remembered Sayajirao.

The trustees have already started travelling in the state and have urged local leaders and prominent citizens to start work to celebrate the anniversary. "We have already been to Mehsana, Patan and Siddhpur. The people there are excited about the event and have plans for the celebrations," another trustee Prataprao Bhoite said.

He said for Amreli, he had spoken to senior BJP leader Parshottam Rupala, who had promised support in organising the events there. "Prominent library movement activist Pratap Pandya is coordinating efforts in this direction," Bhoite added. Vadodara MP Balkrishna Shukla and other local leaders have also promised support to the trust.

Good news for BJP from Veraval and from Sabarkantha

Oct. 23. 2011
Gujarat BJP regained power in Veraval municipality yesterday after all 21 members of ruling Jan Jagruti Manch joined BJP in a function held here in presence of state BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vijaybhai Rupani.
Along with the 21 members, entire Kharva community, local associations involved in fishing and shipping business also joined the BJP.
Exactly one year ago, in October 2010, municipality election was held in Veraval and rebel group of BJP – consisting members of Bar Gam Kharva Samaj and united under the banner of Jan Jagruti Manch – secured victory over local body
Now all 21 members including President Ravi Gohil and his wife who is the Vice President have joined the BJP, and the party is once again ruling on this important town of Saurashtra.
Sabarkantha
In another development, the district general secretary of Congress party in north Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district has joined BJP. District’s Bayad taluka’s Gabat Thakor saheb family’s Virbhadrasinh Dalpatsinh Jhala joined BJP in a public function on Friday evening in presence of two state ministers and other party leaders

Bet Dwarka Dwarkadheesh Mandir Jamnagar

Bet Dwarka which is one of the most popular tourist attractions near the Dwarkadheesh temple in Jamnagar district is all set to be developed along the lines of the stunningly beautiful beach resorts in Malaysia.

Malaysia has developed several of its islands into exotic tourist resorts to boost the country’s tourism scene. The picturesque beaches there attract thousands of visitors, both local and foreign every year.

Now, Bet Dwarka, believed to be the original abode of Lord Krishna according to the archaeological ruins excavated here, is poised to become the tourism hotspot of the state. The Bet Island is famous for its marine life as people throng here to watch the dolphins, porpoises, sea turtles and starfish.

Located nearly 30 kms away from Dwarka town, the island does not have hotels and resorts as of now. So, pilgrims and visitors who spend time at the beaches here manage their stay in the hotels in the town.

Now, the state government proposes to develop eco resorts here besides planting trees and developing mangrove plantations.

According to sources in the state tourism department, the Bet Island will have an ocean park like the one in Hong Kong, a marine attraction similar to Dolphin Cove in Jamaica and several water sporting activities.

The central and the state government plan to develop a National Coral Marine Zone (similar to the one in Australia) here.

A camping site will also be developed at Sundarvan, a nature discovery center in Bet Dwarka.

The island, also known as Bet Shankhodhar, will have a giant statue of Lord Krishna.

The Bet has 31 temples and several mosques and gurudwaras. Other important attractions in the Bet are Hanuman Dandi and the Padmeshwar Mahadev Temple, where state government is planning to develop a sunset point for visitors.

As per Latest Tourism Minister Jaynarayan Vyas Interviews, he said that, “The blueprint of Bet Dwarka development project is ready. The makeover of the island will be done in public-private partnership. Central government is also helping us develop the island. The project is expected to be completed by December next year.”

Villagers of Saurashtra - Photo

Old Indian Photo :

They are with traditional wearings, and in front of them is a " CHAGI"
(Flour making rock machine ) and " SUBUDA" (Collecting Plate)
Contributor: Anthony Davis (antiqphoto@earthlink.net) Source: 19cphoto.com

Delzan Wadia A Rising Star

Actor Delzan Wadia

Delzan Wadia is a dedicated actor with just one release ( Kover Page )
and he is the talk of the town..
Delzan’s film Girnari Navnath is a super hit mythological film running successfully in Gujarat and Saurashtra…film made in 3 languages Hindi Gujarati, Marathi.
He is looking for a good banners…

Saurashtra - The Land of Thousand Kingdoms

Saurashtra, as the name suggests, is indeed a region of one hundred kingdoms. It is indeed one of the most picturesque regions in Gujarat. Due to the princely history, its rich in antiquity and abundant in wealth. Well sculptured temples, forts, mosques and glittering palaces...all remind us of the glorious past. Their love for colour and artistry has touched every aspect of their lifestyle, and the handicrafts of the region enjoy the patronage of all the states of India. When I got an opportunity to visit this place, I just grabbed it. My father's sister and her husband were planning a tour to this side and they suggested that, it would be fun if we joined them. One more couple (their family friends) was also coming with them. The more, the merrier. The best part was that they were going to do the entire booking through Gujarat Tourism. If there is a small group of 6 or so, the tourism dept arranges for a vehicle like qualis, with a knowledgeable driver. Residence and food arrangement is made at their own hotels/restaurants. What more do you want ? Our whole group agreed on the point that we did not want fancy hotels as we would be spending hardly any time at the hotel. I made a quick survey of the spots they were covering and found it quite satisfactory. There was not going to be any night driving.

Our first travel was from Pune to Baroda. We were going to stay there for a couple of days. It was diwali time, so we packed lot of chaklis, karanjis, ladoos, and other varieties for our tour. The morning of our departure dawned and we were all ready at the doorstep. The family friends were also there in time and within minutes, we were on our way to Rajkot. There was a lot of travel anticipated on the first day itself. After this long journey, the other destinations were nearby.

Porbandar - Porbandar is not much of tourist significance. But it is of historical importance due to through its association with Mahatma Gandhi who was born here. The home of Gandhi's childhood is now open to visitors. Another reason why it is famous is that it is believed to be originally the Sudama Puri, the place where Shri Krishna's closest friend, Sudama lived. There is a temple dedicated to Sudama here. We visited the Sudama temple first.

Vankar community

The Vankar are a Hindu scheduwed caste found in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India. They are also known as Patni Vankar.

The Vankar are said to originate in Saurashtra, and migrated to Patan de historic capital of Gujarat. They are now mainway found in the city of Ahmedabad, Mehsana and also found in Banaskanda. They are endogamous community, consisting of a series of exogamous clans.

The traditional occupation of de weaving cloths known as "Khadis". This remains their main occupation, altough some are also involved in sewing cloths & sarees are engaged in making world famous Saries known as "patoda". At present dis community got excellent economical growth in education and Business & reputed occupations.

http://gujaratvankarsevasamaj.com/Default.aspx