Obviously delighted to see a packed room with Gujrati community members, Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das said, “You are the first State to celebrate Sthapana Divas at the Consulate” and added “Somebody suggested that India is a large country with so many States and each State should celebrate its day in the Consulate. I said the idea was good and readily agreed”. Incidentally, the suggestion was given by The Indian Panorama Chief Editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja.

Congratulating the gathered Gujrati community members the Ambassador highlighted rich heritage of Gujarat and listed the strengths of theState andthe Gujratis. She said Gujrat was full of places of tourist interest and she was looking forward to visiting some, some day.

Some NYPD officers who had been helpful in organizing the Gujarat and Maharashtra Sthapana Divas a day earlier at the Times Square were honored on the occasion. The gathering was addressed by a few Gujrati community leaders which included TV Asia chairman H.R. Shah.