To discuss these points a small group of NRIs met at M/s Karadia’s residence, Eru Char Rasta on Sunday 5th January 2003.

The following points were raised and discussed.

Was there a need for such a club?

After a very intense discussion it was agreed by all that such a step was due and necessary for the following reasons.

1. To collect and distribute information for simple tasks like buying railway tickets to complex issues like dealing with tax and immigration papers for NRIs staying more than 120 days / six months etc.
2. What to do if your documents like passport, tcs etc are lost.
3. Admission to hospitals, advance payment, blood donation in advance before blood transfussion.
4. Bereavement - arrangements to be made in case of rare but inevitable circumstances - cold storage facilities etc.
5. Lobby voluntary, private, government organisations for better services. This could include Banks, Railways, Travel Agencies, Insurance companies, local businesses, Government departments etc.
6. Dealing with domestic issues like telephone connections / disconnections, transferring of funds in case of emergencies, paying of house rates etc.
7. Facilitate legal advice
8. Help NRIs of various countries to meet together, exchange ideas, initiate social / cultural activities and establish a world wide link through the internet.
9. Help where possible and necessary with local issues.

It was decided to call a meeting of all NRIs that could be reached either personally, word of mouth or through leaflets. This meeting to be held on Sunday 19^th January2003, 3pm till 5pm at Geeta Sanskar Bhavan in Karadi.

At this meeting discuss all the above and other points raised by NRIs present. Form a working group which will,                                       

1. Draw up a draft constitution.                                                                               

2. Collect as much information as possible on issues raised.                                      

3. Present it to a general meeting to be held towards the end of the year.

On 19^th January 2003, 93 NRIs from villages around Navsari met at Geeta Sanskar Bhavan, Karadi to discuss a proposal for an NRI Club. It was overwhelmingly agreed to establish such an organisation that would benefit all Non Resident Indians. The meeting attracted people from all corners of the world. During the meeting it was mutually agreed by all to call the organisation "Mandhata NRI World". On the day a 20 member adhoc committee was formed to draft a provisional constitution for approval by the members at its first AGM to be held in January 2004. Through donations and provisional membership fees an amount of Rs.105000 was raised. The meeting was chaired by Dahyabhai Jinabhai Patel of Mandir (Walsall,UK) and conducted by Ratilal B Patel of Samapur (Wolverhampton, UK).

The first adhoc committee meeting was held on 25th January 2003 at the residence of Maganbhai B Karadia in Karadi. Members present elected Dahyabhai Jinabhai Patel of Mandir as caretaker President, Ratilal B Patel of Samapur, living at Eru Char Rasta as caretaker Secretary and Ranchhodbhai C Patel of Karadi as caretaker Treasurer till its first AGM to be held sometime in January 2004.

The first Mandhata NRI World AGM was held on 11th January 2004 at Shree Geeta Sanskar Bhavan in Karadi. A draft constitution was presented to the NRIs present which was approved unanimously after making minor changes. Dahyabhai J Patel of Walsall UK was elected its first President, Ratilalbhai B Patel of Wolverhampton UK was elected Secretary and Ranchhodbhai C Patel of Leicester UK was elected as treasurer for a period of two years.

The second Mandhata NRI World AGM was held at the Miramar Hotel in Daman on 20^th January 2005. Two coaches were hired to take members and non-member NRIs for a day outing and to attend the AGM in Daman. The coaches took off at 9.30am from Eru Char Rasta arriving in Daman at 11.30am. Tea, coffee and biscuits were served on arrival. The AGM took place between 12 noon and 2pm at the conference centre. A delicious Indian and Chinese vegetarian and non vegetarian buffet dinner with starters was served thereafter at the hotel restaurant which was enjoyed by all. The coaches returned to Eru Char Rasta around 8.30pm.

The next AGM will be held on 28^th December 2005. Coaches will leave from Eru Char Rasta at 8.30am. Venue has yet to be decided. Further information will be made available nearer to the time on our website www.mandhata.org/nriworld. Those interested in joining us are requested to contact Mahesh Karadia on 07801 882674 email maheshkaradia@hotmail.com. A membership form is attached herewith for those who wish to become members.

Mandhata NRI World Membership Form

Please fill and submit to Mahesh Karadia at 32 Stanley Road, Leicester, LE2 1RE, UK or Email to maheshkaradia@hotmail.com