Volunteers of Indicorps, a U.S.-based voluntary organization, presenting a chorus at a function to felicitate them on Nov. 7. The function was organized by Gujarat Times, an Indian American weekly in Gujarati published from N.Y.

AHMEDABAD : Nineteen American youngsters of Indian origin were felicitated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi here on Nov. 7 for doing public service work in India at a special function hosted here by Gujarat Times, a popular Indian American newsweekly in Gujarati.

Modi also complimented Gujarat Times and its editor and publisher Prakash Parekh for organizing the function. “It is a matter of pride that a newspaper group would think of hosting such an event,” Modi said.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi, left, presents a bouquet to Indicorps founders Rupal Shah, second from right and Anand Shah, right, as Gujarat Times editor and publisher Prakash Parekh, second from left, looks on. (Photos: Courtesy, Gujarat Times)

The volunteers came to India under a public service fellowship program offered by Indicorps, a U.S.-based voluntary organization established four years ago by Anand Shah and his sisters Sonal and Rupal. The event also marked the launch of Indicorps’ Ahmedabad Volunteer Project, in which selected youngsters will work on improving civic conditions in the city.

The function at the Grand Bhagwati Hall drew close to 400 guests, including a large number of dignitaries. Those who attended were Gujarat Chief Secretary P.K. Lahiri, well-known writer Raghuvir Chaudhary, eminent classical dancer Kumudini Lakhia, industrialist Suresh Kothari and Gujarat Vidhyapeeth vice chancellor Arun Dave.

“Spreading out in all corners, Gujaratis made the whole world their home. With these youngsters coming back to serve, the day is not far when Gujarat becomes home to the world,” Modi said, honoring the youngsters who have been working on projects ranging from women’s health to slum improvement for the past year. “At a time when most people seek their own selfish interest in any endeavor, Indicorps and its volunteers are not craving for publicity, power or money. They have not accepted a single rupee’s donation. This is a new face of NGOs.

“This occasion is less about honoring these young people and more of an opportunity for self-introspection,” he said.

The chief minister promised that the one year the youngsters had spent in India would not go in vain, but would inspire more youths in the country.

Parekh termed the youngsters India’s best import from the U.S. “The commitment of these NRIs (nonresident Indians) makes me proud to be an NRI,” he said.

Anand Shah introduced the NGO and its work saying, “Indicorps is not an organization but a cause.”

“Indicorps provides a platform to NRIs in North America who wish to donate time for social work in India. We facilitate those who are ready to spare time to come to people here and help them directly,” he said.

“These youngsters have come to serve their motherland because they have faith in it. We empower their ideas, however fanciful they might be. Everybody has a dream for the country, but nobody has the time.”

Parekh also dwelt on the pioneering work done by Gopal Raju, chairman of Gujarat Times. He especially spoke about the Indian American Foundation, founded by Raju, that has so far raised $ 25 million from Indian Americans and donated it to various charitable causes in India. He also spoke about the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA), set up by Raju 10 years ago, and its success in placing 150 interns with U.S. lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

Anand Shah, the founder of Indicorps, said the volunteers had taken time from their professional preoccupations and devoted one year to working in India. “It is a measure of their dedication to the cause,” Shah said.

“We only indulge in criticism and expect the government to do everything for us. The late American president John F. Kennedy’s words are relevant here: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,’” the 27-year-old Harvard graduate said. Anjali Desai, who was felicitated for working on a project in Kutch, said, “We are asked: ‘Why India?’ I answer, because India is my country. I have come to India to give back what I got from it. I also request you to spend some time for your country.”

The volunteers honored by Modi are Anjali Adukia, Rhona Bhuyan, Anjali Desai, Deepa Ganachari, Naeema Ginwala, Rishi Kotiya, Kabir Kumar, Dharmesh Mistry, Shivana Naidoo, Sindya Narayanswamy, Anup Patel, Gaurav Parnami, Sheela Prasad, Priya Shashidharan, Ankur Shukla, Rupal Soni, Reshma Sapre, Gandharv Telhan and Sonal Thakerar.

Gujarat Chief Secretary P.K. Lahiri, right, at the event. Others in the photo are Sambhav Group Managing Editor Kiran Vadodaria, second from right, and well-known writer Raghuvir Chaudhary, third from right.

a section of the audience. About 400 people attended the event to felicitate the Indicoprs volunteers at the Grand Bhagwati Hall in Ahmedabad on Nov. 7. (Photos: Courtesy, Gujarat Times)