About

Namaste! a Warm Welcome to the Global Website of the Mandhata Patel’s of the Kantha Vibhag area, Navsari District of Gujarat, India, a place for the community to collaborate and work together for future progress and joint development to make the world a better place.

 

Bhai Shri Rameshbhai Oza on Lok Sabha polls 2024

27 March, 2024

Rajkot: Speaking at a public function, spiritual leader and Bhagwad Kathakar Bhai Shri Rameshbhai Oza hailed PM Narendra Modi for enhancing India’s global stature, for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, for addressing the situation in the formerly troubled state of Jammu & Kashmir, and more. Bhai Shri shared his personal example of traveling from Jamnagar to Mumbai solely to cast his vote and appealed to voters to cast their votes decisively.

ભાઈ શ્રી રમેશભાઈ ઓઝા લોકસભા ચૂંટણી 2024 પર

27 માર્ચ, 2024

રાજકોટ: એક જાહેર સમારંભમાં બોલતા, આધ્યાત્મિક નેતા અને ભગવદ કથાકાર ભાઈ શ્રી રમેશભાઈ ઓઝાએ ભારતની વૈશ્વિક પ્રતિષ્ઠા વધારવા માટે, અયોધ્યામાં રામમંદિરના નિર્માણ માટે, અગાઉના અશાંત રાજ્ય જમ્મુ અને કાશ્મીરની પરિસ્થિતિને પહોંચી વળવા બદલ PM નરેન્દ્ર મોદીની પ્રશંસા કરી હતી. , અને વધુ. ભાઈશ્રીએ માત્ર પોતાનો મત આપવા માટે જામનગરથી મુંબઈ સુધીની મુસાફરીનું પોતાનું વ્યક્તિગત ઉદાહરણ શેર કર્યું અને મતદારોને નિર્ણાયક રીતે મતદાન કરવા અપીલ કરી.

 

TsuNamo – Gujarat – BJP – 2022

Janhavi Dadarkar | We SHOULD Have Confidence in Modi’s Government | Oxford Union. UK



 

Urgent Action needed for protecting villages from rising sea levels because of Global Warming (Sea Barrier Conservation Project)

 


 

A. Introduction

An extensive portion of the land alongside the sea at Dandi and further south along the coastline in the Kantha Vibhag area has a problem of sea erosion and sea water overflowing into agricultural lands and over time this area has become unusable because of the saltiness of the land (know as Khanjar). This will continue to be a bigger problem because of rising oceans. Seasonal Monsoon flooding is another problem that has to be addressed, flooding in the villages during the rainy season disrupts life and it takes months to recover, proper draining and preparedness for the annual rains will alleviate the issue.

There is now an increasing need to protect the coastline and inner areas of our gams from sea water and erosion, especially because of rising waters due to global warming. Sea Water that has been flowing into the Khanjar areas over the years has been turning good arable farm land into unusable land caused by salty sea water and sea erosion. This can readily be reversed by erecting natural sea barriers where sea water overflows into the land in the form of sand and rock barriers and mangrove vegetation. Fish farmers who currently use sea water can continue doing so by piping sea water to the required pond areas.

Any solutions implemented should take into consideration monsoon rains together with the problems of drainage and runoff of much needed fresh water into the sea, it may be desirable to store this water perhaps in a lake. A feasibility study of all possible solutions should be presented before any project is started, this will all be done with the help and collaboration of the regional government departments.

As part of the Tree Planting Project, thousands of trees should be planted on the Dandi coastline as protection against natural calamities like cyclone, hurricane, Tsunami, etc.

B. Key Issues

– Severe sea erosion problems in some areas on the beachfront and further inland
– Sea levels rising every year due to climate change
– the solution of P.P. Gabions is not suitable
– Protection by using tetrapod mays be part of the solution, though high cost may be an issue
– If protection work is carried out by larger size stones, Gabions, Tetrapods, Beach will loose its
natural beauty
– a study needs to be conducted before a solution is implemented
– requires a permanent long term solution
– time is of the essence, if the government is unable to help with a timely solution then a community funded solution will be the only alternative.

C. Potential Solutions and Opportunities

The one solution is to put up barriers that will prevent sea water from overflowing into land areas, these barriers should be as high as the height of the highest watermark during high tide multiplied by two, this will ensure a permanent long term solution. Routine maintenance has to be planned on a periodic basis, perhaps quarterly to ensure that the barriers are not compromised due to soil erosion and wave action.

Land Reclamation – preventing sea water from overflowing into the area and reversing the saltiness of the Khanjar area will suddenly make hundreds of acres of land available for farming and other non-agricultural uses.

D. Challenges

1. Currently, sea water is used by the fishing industry in ponds, continuation of this supply is necessary by providing piping from the coastal area to the inland ponds on a limited basis.
2. Funding for the project
3. If nothing is done then there is a threat the entre Kantha Vibhag area may be overrun with sea water and it will result in loss of farmland and habitat.

E. Project Implementation

– All work that has to be done should be conducted with the help and permission of the relevant government authorities.
– A detailed project plan and timeline should be established
– Proper project management and controls to be in place

 
pdf 1. Download Kantha Vibhag Sea Barrier Project – English
pdf ?. Download Kantha Vibhag Sea Barrier Project – Gujarati
pdf 3? Download Kantha Vibhag Sea Barrier Project – Hindi
 


National Jal Shakti Abhiyan Project


*** Tree Planting Project
Tree Planting Project
pdf 1. Download Sanskrutik Vano – Gujarati
pdf 2. Download Sanskrutik Vano – English

*** Proposed Hotel and Supermarket Project
. Proposed Hotel and Supermarket Project


pdf 1. Download Gam Development Report – English

pdf 2. Download Gam Development Report – Gujarati

pdf 3A. Download Report – Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust Report – English

pdf 3B. Download report Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust Report – Gujarati

pdf 4. Download Brief History of Koli Samaj

pdf 5. Download Health and Healing, a series of articles on the Science of Health and Healing by Dr. Devananda Tandavan


pdf 1. Download Essence of Hinduism by Gandhi

pdf 2. Download 11 Vows of Gandhi

pdf 3. Download The Man Who Saved India – Sardar Patel (The Gospel of Selfless Action)

pdf 4. Download Gandhi’s book – From Yeravda Mandir


pdf   Download “We are Hindus” (illustrated) by Dineshbhai Patel (Swinden)


*** Featured Sites:
. Green Message – Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
. Gujarat Online
. Gujarat State – NRI Site
. Divyabhaskar – Gujarati News/Samachar ePaper
. Divyabhaskar – Gujarati News/Samachar
. Gujarati One India News Site
. World Hindu News
. One India News Site
. Aksharnaad.com
. DeshGujarat.com
. India Barriers
. Gujarati Lexicon
. Gujarat Tourism
. Shodh Ganga – Reservoir of Indian Thesis
. PDF DRIVE – Download Free PDF Files
. News India Times
. The Better India
. State of the Planet

*** Astrology:
. Ask Ganesha
. Drik Panchang (all year)
. Daily Panchang
. Vedic Calendar
. Download iCal, Outlook and Google calendar format Vedic Calendars
. Gujarati Calendars – Vikram Samvat Hindu Tithi Calendar


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Old Banyan Tree – Matwad

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Purpose of the Website:

    1. First and foremost, is to recognize our roots and rich culture and heritage and social and community practices which is prevalent in all our communities around the world.
    2. Valuing and drawing up existing knowledge, skills and talents of the members of the Mandhata Community Globally.
    3.  Networking with each other, helping and guiding members and affiliated associations to optimise their abilities in order to fulfil set objectives.
    4. Addressing specific issues on their own merits and proven experiences.
    5. Develop and enhance the quality of life in our village areas in India by promoting education and development in all spheres of life.
    6. Record and Archive our roots and heritage and make it available globally.
    7. Promote Hindu Religious, Spiritual, Cultural and Social Practices
    8. Recognize and acknowledge achievements by our people around the world.
    9. Network and share Best Practices to ensure a peaceful and sustainable future for our communities around the world by living in harmony with people and nature and to protect the environment.
    10. Make positive contributions to society in general and to all the people and countries that we live in, around the world

[n.b. If you would like to contribute material for the site (photos or documents) or to become an Editor, please send a message to the email account [email protected].]

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Mandhata Community – Who are We ???

Mandhata Community refers to all the Koli Patel Community people who originated from the Kantha Vibhag area in Navsari District of South Gujarat in India and also those who migrated to various overseas countries.

The first Koli Patel immigrants from Navsari District are recorded to have sailed for South Africa in 1860. Over the years since then many more joined them. Others traveled to Fiji and then to New Zealand as early as 1902. During the War years and later large numbers traveled to East Africa.

Initially they came to work on the plantations and to build roads and railways. As years passed the vast majority of them settled in the countries where they worked. The first immigrants were all young men who went back to their local villages to get married and return to be followed by their wives a little later.

It is these immigrants who identified themselves as Mandhata Community. It is estimated that they number over a hundred thousand. UK has over 40,000 settled mainly in large cities and are now involved in almost all professions and in every industry, as in other countries too.

A vast number of us settled overseas are now sixth and seventh generation. Even the later arrivals boast third and forth generation. Yet we have continued close relationship with our extended families in India. Most of us visit regularly and many have built homes on their ancestral land.

This site highlights the history and life of the Mandhata Patel Community.

Site Specifics

This site has been built using a web content management framework, this will enable many people around the world to contribute content without any programming skills, all that is required is basic computer skills, this will ensure that content is contibuted by our communities around the world and also will ensure independance, so that no one person is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the site. If you’d like to become a contributor, simply send an eMail message to our group email address, mandhataglobal.com. (exclude the period).

The site has been kept as simple as possible. Anyone with a basic knowledge of computing and internet will be able to interact. We are aware that a large number of you have a fund of knowledge to contribute to this site so that it can become a comprehensive repository of our history and heritage illustrated in words and pictures. In years to come this site would develop into a resource that our coming generations would refer to learn about their roots. We invite you to volunteer yourself as an administrator.

This site will be bilingual. We shall use English and Gujarati to reach as many of our people as possible.

On this site you will be able to read shorter articles in full, and where need be a .pdf version to copy. Large articles and other printed material will be in .pdf format for copying and printing.

Migration History

Preamble

When in the quiet of the night the question arises in your mind as to who your forefathers were? Where did they come from? How did they live? And you desperately want to explore your roots, this website may help you..

Perhaps the obvious starting point of this inquiry could be our own first hand knowledge of the stories told by our fathers and grandfathers of their experiences in their villages and how they made it to the foreign lands all over the world.

From their own lips we have heard how a few young men from the villages found construction jobs building railways in Surat and other nearby cities. Back in village for holidays their offers of help led more youths to join them. At work they came in contact with other peoples and particularly the English who valued their construction knowledge. This broadened their horizon. When opportunities came their way to work for railways in East Africa, plantations in South Africa and New Zealand many volunteered and packed their bags.

From their own lips we have heard how a few young men from the villages found construction jobs building railways in Surat and other nearby cities. Back in village for holidays their offers of help led more youths to join them. At work they came in contact with other peoples and particularly the English who valued their construction knowledge. This broadened their horizon. When opportunities came their way to work for railways in East Africa, plantations in South Africa and New Zealand many volunteered and packed their bags.

My paternal and maternal grandfathers both came to Mombasa, in East Africa to work on the Railways in 1919/21. They were perhaps among the first there and in their own words life was terrible. They lived in tents and were always in fear of the wild animals. For the first year or two they survived on boiled lentils with some pepper and salt. Later they grew chillies and ginger. Apart from bhajan singing in the dim light of a lantern, other entertainment was zero. Life in South Africa or New Zealand was no different. This was soon after the First World War period. Political power struggle was intense among the European powers and British were digging in wherever they went.

Period prior to the Second World War was the 2nd wave of immigration for our people. Passports were easily available and hundreds of youths leaving their families behind boarded sea-going clippers and left in search of a better life. A number of them perished and for the many who made it, life was very, very hard in every respect. Homesickness gripped many.

Read further about our History in the articles below.

1A. Read/Download the story of India’s Historic People by Ashok U Patel – 2nd Edition (April 2021) – English

1B. Read/Download the story of India’s Historic People by Ashok U Patel – 2nd Edition (April 2021) – Gujarati

1C. Read/Download the story of India’s Historic People by Keshavbhai J Patel – 1st Edition (201)

2. Read/Download the Early Katha Migration in Gujarati by Maganbhai B Karadia

3. Read/Download ‘Our Finest Patriotic Years by Maganbhai B Karadia

4. Read/Download ‘Koli Samaj, a Historical Perspective’ by Dr. Arjun Patel

5. Read/Download ‘ History of Koli/Mandhata Patel People’

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Sultanpur – Migrating Flamingos

Borifalia

Borifalia

Coastal Area new Dandi

Coastal Area near Dandi

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Jalaram Bapa Mandir

Bridge near Aatgam

Bridge near Aatgam

Karadi

Karadi

Keshavbhai meeting school children


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New Avdafalia Shiv Mandir (2017)

Karadi School

Karadi School

School Children during Assembly - Karadi School

School Children during Assembly – Karadi School

School Children - Republic Day Celebrations

School Children – Republic Day Celebrations

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Youth Leadership and Educational Seminar

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Shree Amratbhai Jerambhai Patel (in blue Shirt) And Shreemati Taraben Amratbhai Patel of Machhad are residents in USA. Both are generous donors of our Samaj. They visit Gam almost every year and sponsor a number of project in Machhad, other Kantha Vibhag gams. They are particularly interested in educational projects which we organise year after year. Their generous sponsorship help students with scholarships and various educational seminars for the students. This Leadership Seminar was hosted by them and was held on 12th April 2014.

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UmeshBhaiHouse


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Babubhai Patel UK (MBE) Residence in Avdafalia

Download Gujarat Travel Guide 1: pdf Gujarat Travel Guide

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Download Gujarat Travel Guide 2: pdf Gujarat Travel Guide

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Download Lonely Planet Gujarat Travel Guide 3: pdf Gujarat Travel Guide

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GujTube.com GujTube.com TOP Gujarati Entertainment Site

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Gujarat State Portal Gujarat State Portal

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Navsari Area

 

Gams

Villages

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Gujarat Travel Map (click on map to enlarge)

GujaratMap2

GujaratMap1

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List of Villages in Jalalpore, Navsari, Gujarat

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