Gurjar is a well-established, non-profit organization serving the Gujarati community in the Boston area. Founded in 1977, Gurjar is very active organizing for more than 5,000 Gujarati speaking families educational and entertaining cultural events year round. Beside this, Gurjar headed by Chandu Shah, President, has recently taken up a marathon effort for raising funds for the devastating earthquake in Gujarat and other project undertakings with the active involvement of the whole committee. Gurjar also has worked closely with many major donors, including individuals, religious organizations, corporations, citizens associations, professional bodies, and foundations for support.

Gurjar and the donors of Gurjar Earthquake Relief fund recently hosted the Artisans from Kala Raksha Trust from Kutchh. This Show was organized by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology with the support of Gurjar, The Kala Rashka Trust (founded in 1993) based in Sumrasar Sheikh (about 25 KM. from Bhuj), Kutch seeks to preserve and protect traditional arts, primarily by assisting artisan cooperatives. The Show and Sale at the Peabody Museum Shop was a wonderful showcase of the artfully and intricately embroidered items from the Kala Raksha Artisans thereby raising much needed earthquake relief dollars and raising the profile of the Kutchh region. Artisans from the Kala Raksha Trust were on hand every day of the exhibition to demonstrate their techniques, on their first trip outside of India.Friends and donors of Kala Raksha include America India Foundation, The Ford Foundation, Sri Ratan Tata Trust, CARE India and Craft Council of India among others.

Gurjar is perhaps the only organization that has set up a scholarships to college bound children of its members. The scholarship program is fully funded and supported by their members. Since its inception five years ago, the program has given more than $30,000 in scholarship grants to high school graduates (of Gurjar members) enrolling in college for further study.

The organization also has a variety of youth programs, a grandparents club for first generation Gujaratis, dance and drama concerts. It also celebrates with a lot of gaiety the annual festival of Navratri. Two popular gujarati dances, the Garba and the Dandia’s ras are the highlights of this festival.

To know more about Gurjar go to www.gurjar.org

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