Thursday, July 13 2006 12:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Kite flying, songs and display of culinary skills marked the first International Gujarati Convention in New Jersey.

The event, held over the weekend and organised by the Gujarati Association of North America (GANA), saw over 2,000 members of the community from the US, Canada and Britain participate in various events, according to a press release.

Kite flying, a favourite sport in their home state of Gujarat in India, was quite popular with almost everyone trying their hand at it. Gujarati dishes like dhokla were universally relished.

Among those who attended the three-day event were the Indian ambassador to the US, Ronen Sen, Bollywood actress of yesteryears Asha Parekh, former Test cricketer Kiran More, US Senator Bob Menendez and Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Kanu Gandhi.

In his speech, Ambassador Sen touched upon the entrepreneurial zeal of the Gujarati Americans and thanked them for making India proud.

"The long-term goals of India and America are the same and without your support, the two countries cannot come together and build a better future for the entire mankind," he said.

The prestigious Sardar Patel Garva Gujarati award was conferred on five eminent Gujarati personalities: Sudhir Parikh, US-based allergy and immunology specialist, Shreyans Shah, editor of Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Samachar, Albert Jassani, owner of the Royal Albert Palace where the event was held, H.R. Shah, chief of Indian American channel TV Asia, and Ramesh Patel, community activist.

India's national carrier Air India was also conferred the award. Asha Parekh was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award.