Six prominent citizens of Rajkot selected for Mayor Awards

Rajkot, Nov 16 (UNI) Six prominent citizens of Rajkot have been selected for the Mayor Awards for their outstanding contributions to respective fields, Mayor Dhansukh Bhanderi said.

They will be felicitated at a function here on November 18 by conferring them 'Mayor Award,' on the eve of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) Foundation Day.

The selected prominent citizens are : Former Gujarat Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, an educationist and industrialist Valjibhai Patel, an industrialist Popatbhai Patel, Gujarati Films' comedian Ramesh Mehta, Social activist Hargangaben Desai and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Niranjan Shah, Standing Committee Chairman of RMC Nitin Bhardwaj said.

Former Gujarat Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala was recently awarded the 'Best Citizen of India' among other prominant dignitaries by a Delhi-based organisation.

He had done oustanding work as a Mayor during his tenure in 1986.

The city was facing acute shortage of drinking waters due to drought prevailing during 1986 to 1988 when the then mayor had made special arrangements for water and had provided much needed water through trains. Since then he became famous as ''Paniwala Mayor'' Mr Valjibhai Patel, an educationist and industrialist is associated with several schools and colleges. He had participated with Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle and served as a teacher for nine years in the then Gondal state.

Mr Popatbhai Patel, an industrialist has outstanding contributions for developing small scale industries in the city.

A well known Gujarati comedian Ramesh Mehta has acted in more than 250 Gujarati films. He has also played several roles in dramas under the banner of Indian National Theatre (INT).

A well known social activist, Hargangaben Desai has done outstanding works for the poor and the needy people. She is the pioneer for establishing a 'Red Cross' service in Rajkot. Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary and also Secretary of Saurashtra Cricket Association has made outstanding contributions in the field of sports and cricket activities. His appreciable performance to Inter-District Cricket Tournament during 1966-67 was the bases for his selection in the Ranji Trophy team of Saurashtra. He had made his debut in 1967. He was first elected the Honorary Secretary of Saurashtra Cricket Association in 1972-73.

He has served as a member of various committees of the BCCI and is one of the senior most member of BCCI.

UNI AV PM MS RK1955