Jewels of Gujarat – Leading Global Gujarati Personalities
17th January 2019 : ‘Jewels of Gujarat – Leading Global Gujarati Personalities’, a book which is a salute to the Gujarati Community which has always been at the helm of change in India as well as the world.
This book shows the diversity of achievements of Gujaratis and we have some of the leading personalities who have earned respect and honour not just in the state of their birth but even in the country of their residence and the world.
Mr. Rizwan Aditya, Chairman of COGEF Group and Founder of Rizwan Adatia Foundation (RAF) was awarded the prestigious Jewels of Gujarat Award. He being a successful businessman and philanthropist, was conferred on this platform for his Foundation’s immense contribution of his work for the needy in the society.
Mr. Rizwan Adatia Foundation’s work was highlighted at the event, Entrepreneurs, Businessmen and other esteemed guests who had come from across the world wholeheartedly congratulated him. Rizwan Aditya expressed in his address that though he lives in Africa but his heart remains in India.
Mr. Rizwan Adatia shared with the audience that the foundation’s activities takes place in continents of Asia and Africa benefiting the poor. The head office of the Foundation is in Mumbai. Mr. Adatia has been the recipient of many awards and accolades and his work has been highly acknowledged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
Mr Rizwan Adatia has been India’s pride in Africa wherein he has been honored by the President, Government Representatives and other VVIPs.
At a personal level, Mr. Rizwan identifies himself as someone who believes and respects all religions and promotes peace in collaboration. Being a yoga, physical exercise and meditation practitioner himself, he recommends it to all as he believes it builds resilience for everything in life. As a philanthropist, he encourages everyone to share their resources and wisdom to promote the upliftment of those who are deprived. He has found solace is ‘sharing or giving’ which he believes anyone at any stage is capable of. Before he was a successful businessman, he had experienced hard times himself. However, he feels it was the nature of giving that helped him to soar through the hardship and experience success.
RAF strives to achieve the improvement in Quality of Life of marginalized and disadvantaged communities in focused geographical areas, across Asia and Africa by making appropriate and strategic investment around the sectors of health, education, livelihoods and Governance & Civil Society along with harnessing human potential. RAF was founded in 2015, and till date it’s intervention has impacted more than 600,000 people through nearly 100 projects spread across Asia and Africa. RAF’s philosophy is ‘for those who have nothing we ignite hope, courage and spark and for those who have abundance we inspire purpose, meaning and sharing’. RAF believes in collaborations with individual, organization to build upon their skills to create long-term impact.