Dr Ela Bhatt of Ahmedabad is an icon of womens' independence movement and a civil rights activist. A lawyer by profession, she established SEWA in 1971 as a women's trade union movement, an organisation that has gained her international reputation and many awards including Padmashree, Padma-Vibhushan, the Raman Magsasy Award. Her involvement in Elders an international organisation pioneered by Nelson Mandella, working for the poverty striken around the globe, saw her address the UN General Assembly's Millenium Development Goals meet in Sept 2009. Aradhana spoke to her on the occassion of International Woemem's Day 2010. 

Urvish Kothari is a leading journalist, writer, blogger and a regular on TV Channels in Gujarat. He calls himself as free from all 'isms' which speaks of his independent views on socio-political issue. Aradhana spoke to him about the Indian Census and other current events in the state. 

 

Mahadev Desai, honorary secretary of Narendra Modi's Vanche Gujarat Abhiyaan is an architect by profession and an avid reader. During his presidentship of his hometown  organisation, Sayaji Library of Navsari, has become a reputable library in the state after winning state lavel recognition. Aradhana spoke to him on the occassion on the launching of 'Tartu Pustak' a project that is part of the manifold activities currently taking place in Gujarat during its swarnim celebrations.

 

Gujarati Vishwakosh has been by far one of the most ambitious literary projects undertaken in the literary history. It has taken an editorial team of  nearly 30 to compile the 25 volumes in 25 years, the final of which was launched by Chief Minister Narendra Modi in December 2009.

Padmashree Dr Kumarpal Desai, a leading and verastile literary figure has been one of the pioneers and one of the editors. Aradhana discusses the Vishwakosh project as well his his creativity with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

  

Gujaratis accross the globe celebrated 'Swarnim Gujarat' 50 years of the state's inception. Hon. CM Narendra Modi, in the media message to Global Gujaratis to mark this occassion, emphasises what Gujarat stands for and highlights the progress the state has achieved in half a century of its history.

 

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