History of Gujarati Samaj Qatar in words of
founder president Mr Hasmukhbhai Patel
FOUNDER OF GUJARATI SAMAJ - QATAR
Hasmukh Patel (Sojitra) Native Place Amreli,- Gujarat Pin-365601
Qatar Mob. +974 55861381
Mob. India +91 9913900055
Email: [email protected], [email protected],
Website : www.gujaratisamajqatar.weebly.com
Facebook page: Facebook/Gujarati Samaj Qatar
In 1980 September, I joined QPPA - Qatar Petroleum Producing Authority - Doha Qatar. In year 1982 the name changed QGPC - Qatar General Petroleum Corporation and now it is known as QP - Qatar Petroleum.
BRIEF ON DOHA - YEAR 1980:
After arrival at Doha Airport on 11th September 1980, I have noticed, the Airport was smaller than our Indian domestic Airport. Only two flight used to come weekly from India namely Gulf-Air and Air India. One luggage receiving belt, a small hall and two check-in counters in airport.
There was another small Airport at Dukhan with one room only.
Qatar Total Population was 2.25 Lakh (75000 Qataris + 150,000 expatriates).
Only 6 number of big buildings in Qatar, Sheraton hotel, Post office, Jaida tower, Sofitel hotel (now it is Hotel Mercury), GMCO Building and Parliament building. We can see most of all building form cornice. There was no traffic in Doha. All the roads are single lane. Dukhan, Mesaieed (Original Name Ummsaid) and north road are single lane roads.
In 1980, back filling and land scraping works were ongoing at corniche area. There was no traffic signal in Doha, everywhere small round about and all road are single lanes. Only one Rumeilah very small hospital was existing, HMC building was under construction at that time. Al-khore was not existing at all. In 1982, I have visited Al-khore area while Gas well testing was going on.
Dukhan and Ummbab had a one open-air cinema, there was no big malls in Qatar like now a days.
WHY & HOW START GUJARATI SAMAJ – QATAR:
I was working at Dukhan remote area, it is 85 KM form Doha. In1980 there was no any entertainment and other activities in Dukhan - Qatar, so after duty hours, I was feeling dull & charmless life in - Qatar. My hobby is to meet different people and try to help/assist people and keep life engaged. I have seen Keralian, Tamil and Andhra Pradesh peoples’ groups at that time. Among all, Keralian Group was dominating everywhere. It make me thinking why we Gujaratis not united and do not have a group? My hobby compels me to make group to keep myself busy and carry out various activity. My mind started to think and started to gather the Gujarati community people in Dukhan. In 1984, we established a small group of 17 families in Dukhan and the group name given was GUJCO. During coordination and set-up of the group, Late L.G. Joshi and Mr. G. J. Dave provided me full support to setup group and, name given GUJCO (Gujarati Cooperative Society). Fom1984, till the date it is functioning in Dukhan.
Then we started to approach Gujarati people in Mesaeed city in 1985 and established a group of 15 families under leader ship of Mr. Ashok Shanghvi, Jitesh Gandhi and C. R. Patel, S. A. Patel etc.
After that, we approached to our community people in Wakra in year 1985 - 86 and set-up group of 11 families under leadership of Mr. M K Chouhan, B. G. Patel, Solanki, Kantilal Joshi and U.V. Parekh, etc.
In Doha our community peoples were scattered in different location, and hence we started to approach each member in year 1988 - 89 and set-up a Group of 16 families under leadership of Mr. Manubhai Patel, I. C. Patel, S A Patel, Ismail Suthar, K. Patel and N R Patel.
After setting up Gujarati people groups at various locations in Qatar, we started to celebrate various festivals like Janmastami, Diwali, Navratri, Utarayan and outdoor Pick nick.
During 1980 – 1987, time there was no telephone in house, we had only oil line 4 Digit number. It use to connect to all oil & Gas station and control room. Doha telephone line Q-tel had few connections, so we were not able to contact anyone in Doha. We were passing massage at control room to pass it further to other locations. For calling our family members in India, we have to go Qatar Telecom office every Friday and Wait 2 – 4 hours in queue.
We proposed to all the groups, to jointly arrange our community gathering and carry out activities for children, Gents and ladies. Everyone accepted proposal and given full support for the activities. We arranged gathering with picnic at Al-Khore Garden first time in year 1989. More than 50 families gathered and enjoyed the picnic.
These mass of group gathering gave me confidence, motivation and moral support form all the people. So we have started to coordinate with each area leader and began celebrating various entertainment events and festivals like Navaratri, Janmastami, Diwali, New Year, Holi etc.
In year 1995, Al-Khore community –residential compound was built up, and some of our community new people joined QatarGas, RasGas & Shell Company. We approached them and set-up a group of 14 families with support of Mr. B. T. Sabhan, Mr. D. C. Joshi, Mr. Rajesh Padaliya, Mr. Hasmukh Daru, Mr. B D Kher & Mr. Ramesh Patel etc.
After adding Al-khore community Gujarati people’s strength, Gujaratis were more than 80 families in Qatar. It make me think to start to form bigger group of all Gujaratis in Qatar. First meeting held Dukhan, second meeting held Doha and third meeting held at Al-Khore and then we decided to form Gujarati Samaj in year 1999. We proposed to our community people, that we have to make proper organisation and affiliate with Indian Embassy & ICC. Everyone strongly and whole heartedly supported our view, which gave us full confidante and moral strength.
On the day of January, 14th 2000, we decided to gather and set-up our organisation. We selected this date because, on 14th January, we Gujarat’s celebrate “Utarayan” and Kite festival with family & friends. Since then Gujarati Samaj Qatar has tradition to keep Utarayan- Kite Festival as change of term and declaration of new committee at end of terms.
We cannot forget to Mr. Jasvant Kotak, as he provided one big villa at D-Ring road area for our first big gathering on 14th January, 2000.
After meeting and long discussion with our 72 members at gathering, we declared our organisation name “Gujarati Samaj – Qatar” on 14th January, 2000 and set-up Ad-hock committee to manage Gujarati Samaj Qatar activities.
We started Gujarati Samaj Qatar with just 72 members and at present, by the end of February 2019, we have resisted 1700 members, and it is big achievement of Gujarati Samaj – Qatar. It is one of the biggest united strong organisation in Qatar, it is also noted and appreciated by Indian Ambassador and Qatar Governments officials.
We have appointed area wise committee members for better coordination of activities. First constitution of Gujarati Samaj Qatar was prepared by myself (Hasmukh Patel) for affiliation to Indian Embassy & ICC. In year 2001 GSQ affiliated with Indian Embassy & ICC.
This is the history of Gujarati Samaj – Qatar and how it was started after many efforts.
One Qatari person purchased a boat from India and he wanted to bring boat at Qatar. He contacted an agent at Mumbai to deliver boat to Qatar.
Mumbai agent took this opportunity and selected 9 number of young fisherman aged
18 – 27 year from Daman and Vapi area. Agent kept the boys in blind and did not gave full information to them. He told to fisherman, “you have business opportunity at Qatar to take this boat and go to Qatar and work with Qatari person to carryout fishing business as partner”. Innocent young boys didn’t knew intentions of the agent and they came to Qatar by boat at Cornice Jetty and they were cheated and trapped by Indian agent from Mumbai. The Indian agent took Rs.12000/- per head from this poor fisherman for visa & Job but, he send them without visa and passport by boat. Boat owner Qatari person provided them one day food and next day he told all 9 boys go back to India.
The boys told him that, their agent send them for work with you, but Qatari person told them, he made contract with the agent to deliver his boat at Qatar, nothing more than that. The boys requested to work with him but he refused and stopped to provide food to them. They were struggling for food and job, they do not have money, passport or visa and so they were not able to come out from Cornish Jetty Gate. For three days they requested to all the people for help but no one came forward to help them.
By chance, first time I went to Jetty area and they saw my wife Meena and asked her for help, then my son Chirag came to inform me. I talk with poor boys and understood full story.
I gave them moral support, taken responsibility to provide food and send them back to India. I have provided for three months the food and other basic necessity items like peoples, blankets, warm cloth etc. for nine boys to survive in cold weather at Cornish jetty area. Every alternate day me and my wife Meena travel from Dukhan to Doha (85 KM) to Visit them at cornice Jetty with Permission of cost guard and provided food and moral support to them. After long struggle, I Filed the case against sponsor, the Qatari person. After long struggle of three months with the help of Indian Embassy they were sent back to Home country at India.
As a Gujarati we felt very proud to solve such a big problem and help 9 boys to return home.
(This is a brief real story, during three month so many incident happen it was not mentioned here)
During 1980 – 2019, I have handled so many cases, but this was one of the memorable incident of my life.
I am proud of my wife Meena Patel. She is from Gondal in Gujarat, belong to middle class family but she is rich in Indian cultural and hospitalities.
She is of kind nature and very good cook, and she is behind my all social work since last 35 years. She has given me full hearted support. Daily many Telephone calls/guest coming for last 35 years, but she always warmly welcome all the gusts and never missed her hospitalities till date.
Here, I would like to share with you all the history of Navratri festival in Qatar, which is one of major festival of Gujarat.
Hasmukh Patel (Sojitra) Native Place Amreli,- Gujarat Pin-365601
Qatar Mob. +974 55861381
Mob. India +91 9913900055
Email: [email protected], [email protected],
Website : www.gujaratisamajqatar.weebly.com
Facebook page: Facebook/Gujarati Samaj Qatar
In 1980 September, I joined QPPA - Qatar Petroleum Producing Authority - Doha Qatar. In year 1982 the name changed QGPC - Qatar General Petroleum Corporation and now it is known as QP - Qatar Petroleum.
BRIEF ON DOHA - YEAR 1980:
After arrival at Doha Airport on 11th September 1980, I have noticed, the Airport was smaller than our Indian domestic Airport. Only two flight used to come weekly from India namely Gulf-Air and Air India. One luggage receiving belt, a small hall and two check-in counters in airport.
There was another small Airport at Dukhan with one room only.
Qatar Total Population was 2.25 Lakh (75000 Qataris + 150,000 expatriates).
Only 6 number of big buildings in Qatar, Sheraton hotel, Post office, Jaida tower, Sofitel hotel (now it is Hotel Mercury), GMCO Building and Parliament building. We can see most of all building form cornice. There was no traffic in Doha. All the roads are single lane. Dukhan, Mesaieed (Original Name Ummsaid) and north road are single lane roads.
In 1980, back filling and land scraping works were ongoing at corniche area. There was no traffic signal in Doha, everywhere small round about and all road are single lanes. Only one Rumeilah very small hospital was existing, HMC building was under construction at that time. Al-khore was not existing at all. In 1982, I have visited Al-khore area while Gas well testing was going on.
Dukhan and Ummbab had a one open-air cinema, there was no big malls in Qatar like now a days.
WHY & HOW START GUJARATI SAMAJ – QATAR:
I was working at Dukhan remote area, it is 85 KM form Doha. In1980 there was no any entertainment and other activities in Dukhan - Qatar, so after duty hours, I was feeling dull & charmless life in - Qatar. My hobby is to meet different people and try to help/assist people and keep life engaged. I have seen Keralian, Tamil and Andhra Pradesh peoples’ groups at that time. Among all, Keralian Group was dominating everywhere. It make me thinking why we Gujaratis not united and do not have a group? My hobby compels me to make group to keep myself busy and carry out various activity. My mind started to think and started to gather the Gujarati community people in Dukhan. In 1984, we established a small group of 17 families in Dukhan and the group name given was GUJCO. During coordination and set-up of the group, Late L.G. Joshi and Mr. G. J. Dave provided me full support to setup group and, name given GUJCO (Gujarati Cooperative Society). Fom1984, till the date it is functioning in Dukhan.
Then we started to approach Gujarati people in Mesaeed city in 1985 and established a group of 15 families under leader ship of Mr. Ashok Shanghvi, Jitesh Gandhi and C. R. Patel, S. A. Patel etc.
After that, we approached to our community people in Wakra in year 1985 - 86 and set-up group of 11 families under leadership of Mr. M K Chouhan, B. G. Patel, Solanki, Kantilal Joshi and U.V. Parekh, etc.
In Doha our community peoples were scattered in different location, and hence we started to approach each member in year 1988 - 89 and set-up a Group of 16 families under leadership of Mr. Manubhai Patel, I. C. Patel, S A Patel, Ismail Suthar, K. Patel and N R Patel.
After setting up Gujarati people groups at various locations in Qatar, we started to celebrate various festivals like Janmastami, Diwali, Navratri, Utarayan and outdoor Pick nick.
During 1980 – 1987, time there was no telephone in house, we had only oil line 4 Digit number. It use to connect to all oil & Gas station and control room. Doha telephone line Q-tel had few connections, so we were not able to contact anyone in Doha. We were passing massage at control room to pass it further to other locations. For calling our family members in India, we have to go Qatar Telecom office every Friday and Wait 2 – 4 hours in queue.
We proposed to all the groups, to jointly arrange our community gathering and carry out activities for children, Gents and ladies. Everyone accepted proposal and given full support for the activities. We arranged gathering with picnic at Al-Khore Garden first time in year 1989. More than 50 families gathered and enjoyed the picnic.
These mass of group gathering gave me confidence, motivation and moral support form all the people. So we have started to coordinate with each area leader and began celebrating various entertainment events and festivals like Navaratri, Janmastami, Diwali, New Year, Holi etc.
In year 1995, Al-Khore community –residential compound was built up, and some of our community new people joined QatarGas, RasGas & Shell Company. We approached them and set-up a group of 14 families with support of Mr. B. T. Sabhan, Mr. D. C. Joshi, Mr. Rajesh Padaliya, Mr. Hasmukh Daru, Mr. B D Kher & Mr. Ramesh Patel etc.
After adding Al-khore community Gujarati people’s strength, Gujaratis were more than 80 families in Qatar. It make me think to start to form bigger group of all Gujaratis in Qatar. First meeting held Dukhan, second meeting held Doha and third meeting held at Al-Khore and then we decided to form Gujarati Samaj in year 1999. We proposed to our community people, that we have to make proper organisation and affiliate with Indian Embassy & ICC. Everyone strongly and whole heartedly supported our view, which gave us full confidante and moral strength.
On the day of January, 14th 2000, we decided to gather and set-up our organisation. We selected this date because, on 14th January, we Gujarat’s celebrate “Utarayan” and Kite festival with family & friends. Since then Gujarati Samaj Qatar has tradition to keep Utarayan- Kite Festival as change of term and declaration of new committee at end of terms.
We cannot forget to Mr. Jasvant Kotak, as he provided one big villa at D-Ring road area for our first big gathering on 14th January, 2000.
After meeting and long discussion with our 72 members at gathering, we declared our organisation name “Gujarati Samaj – Qatar” on 14th January, 2000 and set-up Ad-hock committee to manage Gujarati Samaj Qatar activities.
We started Gujarati Samaj Qatar with just 72 members and at present, by the end of February 2019, we have resisted 1700 members, and it is big achievement of Gujarati Samaj – Qatar. It is one of the biggest united strong organisation in Qatar, it is also noted and appreciated by Indian Ambassador and Qatar Governments officials.
We have appointed area wise committee members for better coordination of activities. First constitution of Gujarati Samaj Qatar was prepared by myself (Hasmukh Patel) for affiliation to Indian Embassy & ICC. In year 2001 GSQ affiliated with Indian Embassy & ICC.
This is the history of Gujarati Samaj – Qatar and how it was started after many efforts.
- MAIN ACTIVITIES OF ORGANISATION
- Carry out Socio-cultural activities.
- Celebration of Indian Republic day & Independence day.
- Carry out Children and women development activities to motivate them.
- Benevolent fund activities for people in need.
- Celebration & Participation in Qatar national day & Eid festival
- Organisation is contributing towards development of the community / Qatar
- Community: GSQ has given platform to children by various activities like stage programs, education programs, various Quiz, Games, Art & drawing competitions etc. For the Ladies GSQ arranged stage programs, singing, cooking, handy craft etc activities.
- Qatar: Most of the members of our community are from Hydrocarbon industries, like Qatar petroleum, QatarGas, RasGas, QASCO, QAFCO, QPCO, QVC, Q-Chem, Shell, QEWC, ORYX GTL, SEEF LTD. Qatar Airways, Dolphin Energy, KAHRAMMA etc. These are Qatar’s Key companies providing Engineering and technical support to development of Qatar and also putting full efforts to train Qatari people. Our community people are taking part to celebrate Qatar National day, National Sport day, Qatar Independence day, Eid festival etc. We also supported Asian Game in 2006 and provided volunteers.
- MY Memorable Incident – As a human being, help to unknown people.
- Mr. Hasmukh Patel, (Sojitra) as a Humanity handled the case:
One Qatari person purchased a boat from India and he wanted to bring boat at Qatar. He contacted an agent at Mumbai to deliver boat to Qatar.
Mumbai agent took this opportunity and selected 9 number of young fisherman aged
18 – 27 year from Daman and Vapi area. Agent kept the boys in blind and did not gave full information to them. He told to fisherman, “you have business opportunity at Qatar to take this boat and go to Qatar and work with Qatari person to carryout fishing business as partner”. Innocent young boys didn’t knew intentions of the agent and they came to Qatar by boat at Cornice Jetty and they were cheated and trapped by Indian agent from Mumbai. The Indian agent took Rs.12000/- per head from this poor fisherman for visa & Job but, he send them without visa and passport by boat. Boat owner Qatari person provided them one day food and next day he told all 9 boys go back to India.
The boys told him that, their agent send them for work with you, but Qatari person told them, he made contract with the agent to deliver his boat at Qatar, nothing more than that. The boys requested to work with him but he refused and stopped to provide food to them. They were struggling for food and job, they do not have money, passport or visa and so they were not able to come out from Cornish Jetty Gate. For three days they requested to all the people for help but no one came forward to help them.
By chance, first time I went to Jetty area and they saw my wife Meena and asked her for help, then my son Chirag came to inform me. I talk with poor boys and understood full story.
I gave them moral support, taken responsibility to provide food and send them back to India. I have provided for three months the food and other basic necessity items like peoples, blankets, warm cloth etc. for nine boys to survive in cold weather at Cornish jetty area. Every alternate day me and my wife Meena travel from Dukhan to Doha (85 KM) to Visit them at cornice Jetty with Permission of cost guard and provided food and moral support to them. After long struggle, I Filed the case against sponsor, the Qatari person. After long struggle of three months with the help of Indian Embassy they were sent back to Home country at India.
As a Gujarati we felt very proud to solve such a big problem and help 9 boys to return home.
(This is a brief real story, during three month so many incident happen it was not mentioned here)
During 1980 – 2019, I have handled so many cases, but this was one of the memorable incident of my life.
- On 21st Jan. 2003 Mr. L. K. Advani, the Deputy prime minister of India visited Qatar. Mr. Hasmukh Patel arranged meeting with him at Sheraton hotel, discussed status of Indian community people in Qatar, business setup in India etc. and requested to start Doha to Ahmadabad direct flights. Later our request was considered and Qatar Airways started direct flight to Ahmadabad which benefited to all Gujarati and Rajasthani people in Qatar. It was one of the biggest achievements for us.
- In December 2004, Gujarat Government business delegation visited Qatar which was lead by of Honorable Minister of Law & Justice Mr. Ashok Bhatt and Minister of state Energy & Petrochemicals Mr. Saurabhbhai Patel. We arranged Gujarati Samaj meeting with them at Hotel Sofitel (now it name changed Hotel Mercury) and they addressed the Gujarati Samaj diaspora.
- In 2016, Vibrant Gujarat Delegation Came to Qatar. Gujarati Samaj gave them memorandum to start other cheaper airline direct flight from Doha to Ahmedabad for Indian work force, which they considered the request and started new cheap fare flight from Doha to Ahmedabad.
- In 2018, Indian Minister of External Affairs Mrs. Sushma Swaraj visited Qatar and Gujarati Samaj Qatar have given memorandum to her asking for support to setup Temple, cremation place, batter Indian Embassy building and big ICC premises with community hall. She told in her speech, I will be proposed to Government of Qatar and she will speak with Government of Qatar.
I am proud of my wife Meena Patel. She is from Gondal in Gujarat, belong to middle class family but she is rich in Indian cultural and hospitalities.
She is of kind nature and very good cook, and she is behind my all social work since last 35 years. She has given me full hearted support. Daily many Telephone calls/guest coming for last 35 years, but she always warmly welcome all the gusts and never missed her hospitalities till date.
Here, I would like to share with you all the history of Navratri festival in Qatar, which is one of major festival of Gujarat.