The Gujarat Garima awards was instituted by the state government to honor Gujaratis who have made a notable contribution to society outside the state .On January 13, the Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee awarded leading industrialists Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani and three others for their outstanding contributions to their home State, Gujarat.

Speaking at the inaugural function of Vishwa Gujarati Parivaar Mohatsav Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said the awards would be an annual feature, where the state government will recognize the contribution of individuals to the development and growth of Gujarat.

The other recipients of the award were noted knee specialist and Massachusetts resident Dr. Dinesh Patel, economist Jagdish Bhagwati and Anand Shah, founder of the voluntary organization Indicorps.

Dinesh Patel, a pioneer in the field of the Arthroscopic surgery said that Gujarat has not only paved the way for social reforms, but has ushered in fast economic growth as well.

Dr.Patel, orthopedic surgeon on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and associated with Massachusetts General Hospital, paid a tribute to his native place Nadiad.

"My dreams could not have come true, if their seeds were not planted here in this land," he said.

Dr.Patel is also the founder of the NGO A Leg To Stand On, which supports the physically handicapped in the state.

Economist and champion of free trade Jagdish Bhagwati of Columbia University could not be present at the occasion. His brother P.N. Bhagwati accepted the award on his behalf.

Anand Shah accepted the award on behalf of his siblings Sonal Shah (the India Abroad Person of the Year) and Rupal Shah, co-founders of Indicorps.

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