Viksit Bharat @2047 Conclave at Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh City Chambers Celebrates Indian Diaspora’s Global Role

GG News Bureau
Edinburgh, UK: In a historic first for Scotland, the “Viksit Bharat @2047 Conclave” was held from June 25 to 27 at two iconic venues — the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh City Council Chambers — marking a grand celebration of India’s developmental vision and the growing influence of its global diaspora.

Organised jointly by MATV Media Group (London), Global Governance News Group (New Delhi), Samagra Bharat Media Group, Alvirago Ltd (UK), and Samagra Communications Pvt Ltd (New Delhi), with support from the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK), High Commission of India in UK, the conclave spotlighted the aspirations of a “Developed India by 2047” as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Bhai Modi.

The event brought together dignitaries, policymakers, spiritual leaders, media professionals, and business figures from India, the UK, Scotland, Europe, and other parts of the world to reflect on India’s development journey, bilateral relations, and the critical role of the Indian diaspora in shaping the nation’s global identity.

Grand Opening and Prestigious Felicitations

The three-day conclave commenced at the Scottish Parliament with a presentation on the “Role of Indian Diaspora & Viksit Bharat @2047,” followed by an awards ceremony to honour individuals contributing significantly to the vision of a developed India. Awardees were selected through self-nomination and a merit-based jury process, with honorees representing diverse fields such as politics, social welfare, women empowerment, education, health, media, business, and Cownomics.

The awards were presented by Martyn Day, former MP in the British House of Commons, alongside other distinguished guests- India’s prominent Dhyan Guru H.H. Archna Didi, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Dr. Mani K. Sharma, Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, Aline Dobbie, Robert Masih Nahar, Dr. Kumar Rakesh, Dr. Kamal Taori, Dr. J.S. Rajkumar, Naval K. Verma, Dr. Vivek Kaul, Kapil Kumar, Garima Poddar, Sunita Poddar, Dr. Shruti Dutt,  Priyadarshani Sharma, Preena Verma Vinch, Rashmi Rai Mantha, Nidhin Chand, Ramesh Mantha, Hariprasad P. Patel, among others.

List of Awardees: 

Padam Bhushan HH Sadhavi Ritambhara DIDI Maa Ji	Women & Child Development/Social Service	Founder-Vatsalayagram,Vrindavan,Bharat
Sadguru Archna Didi	Social Community Service	Founder & Chairperson- Celebrating Life Foundation, Amrit Path Sansthan
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat	Politics & Social Welfare	Union Minister for Tourism & Culture,Govt of Bharat
Shripad Y Naik	Politics & Social Welfare	Union Minister of State,Govt of Bharat
Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat	Politics & Social Welfare	OFBJP President-UK& Europe, CMD-MATV Media Group London
Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale	Politics & Social Welfare	BJP Foreign Affairs Head,New Delhi,Bharat
Martyn Day	Politics & Social Welfare	Former MP- House of Commons, British Parliament, Scotland, UK
Gordon MacDonald	Politics & Social Welfare	Member of Scottish Parliament, Scotland, UK
Janet Campbell	Politics & Social Welfare	Councillor – West Lothian Council, Scotland, UK
Robert Masih Nahar	Politics,Media & Social Welfare	2 times Senator from Spain
Dileep Sanghani	Politics & Social Welfare with Cooperatives Movement	Chairman,National Cooperatives Union of India(NCUI) & IFFCO,Govt of Bharat,New Delhi
Kirsteen Sullivan	Politics & Social Welfare	MP House of Commons, British Parliament
Baroness Sandip Verma	Politics & Social Welfare	Baroness, House of Lords, UK
Bob Blackman	Politics & Social Welfare	MP House of Commons, British Parliament
Barry Gardiner	Politics & Social Welfare	MP House of Commons, British Parliament
Pratima Bhoumik	Politics & Social Welfare / Women Empowerment	Former Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of Tripura, India
Ganesh Gaonkar	Politics & Social Welfare	Chairman Goa Tourism Development Corporation
Dr. Mani Kumar Sharma	Politics & Social Welfare	Former Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Sikkim, India
Dr. J S Rajkumar	Politics & Social Welfare /Health & Medicine	Chairman Lifeline Multi-speciality Hospitals, Chennai, India
Poonam Gupta	Women Empowerment / Economics, Finance & Business	CEO – PG Paper Company Ltd
Anjana Sinha	Women Empowerment	Founder Ashiwadam, State President(Women Cell), Delhi Intl’ Orgn for Human Rights & Crime Protection, State Vice President, Delhi Intl’ Women’s Safety and Rights Organisation
Kuldeep Arolkar	Bureaucracy	Managing Director – Goa Tourism Development Corporation
PS Ojha	Bureaucracy	Ex-State Coordinator & Member Convener, State Bioenergy Development Board,UP, India
Kranti Hiremath MBE	Health & Medicine	Clinical Forensic Expert, NHS, Scotland
Manjulika Singh MBE	Health & Medicine / Social Community Service	Practice Manager- Awaz FM, Yoga Practioner, President – Scottish Indian Cultural Festival Committee, Chair person – Ethnic Minority Forum ED
Dr. Naval Kumar Verma	Health & Medicine	Eminent Scientist in Homoeopathy Global President, Rejoice Health Foundation, Assessors in NABH, Advisor- Medical and Wellness Tourism Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Government of Goa
Saroj Lal	Social Community Service	Pioneering educator, community activist and race equality campaigner
Brij Gandhi MBE	Social Community Service	Director /Chair- Heemat Gryffee Secretary- Scottish Asian Ekta Group Chair- Scottish Indian Mahila Cultural Centre(SIMCC)
Rashmi Rai	Social Community Service	Director AlVirago Ltd, Mrs Scotland Universe 2019, Indian Women of Influence, UK
Nidhin Chand	Social Community Service	Director Guru for Scots and Vedics
Suman Vohra MBE	Social Community Service	President Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre
Aline Dobbie	Media & Communication	Author & Traveller
Dr. Rajendra Waghmare	Media & Communication	Maharashtra Journalist Union President, Maharashtra state Marathi Patrakar Sangh and National Coordinator for Digital Media Editor Parishad
Dr. Kumar Rakesh	Media & Communication	Global Governance News Group, Samagra Bharat Media Group, Samagra Communications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, Bharat(India)
Mridula Chakraborty MBE	Education & Culture	General Secretary and President of the Bangiya Sanskritik Parishad (Bengali Cultural Association), General Secretary of the Association for the Indian Organisation (AIO), Board of directors of the Peace Arts, Glasgow, UK
Supriya Mishra	Education & Culture	Co-Founder & Vice Chairperson – Ayrshire Bharatiya Association (ABA)
Dr. Sandeep Marwah	Education & Culture	Founder-President of the Asian Academy of Film & Television and Noida Film City , Chairman Advisory committee of Miss Earth India. Founder-Owner of Marwah Studios
Ramesh Mantha	Economics, Finance & Business	Director AlVirago Ltd
Ravi R Kumar	Economics, Finance & Business	Originator & Managing Director- Koobera Group
Dr. Niranjan Verma	Cownomics	Founder, Panchgavya Therapy Gurukulpati, Panchgavya Vidyapeetham Founder President, Panchgavya Doctor’s Association
Dr. Kamal Taori	Cownomics	Former Sec., Govt. of Bharat (Retd. IAS) Vice Chancellor, Panchgavya Vidyapeetham
Sharda Poddar	Health & Medicine / Social Community Service	Director – Ayrshire Care Solutions, Blackfaulds House Nursing Home, Lancefield Care Home, Westbank Care Home, Your Care Home
Garima Poddar	Health & Medicine	Director- Care at Home and Housing Support companies
Preena Verma	Youth & Social Services	Youth President- Rejoice Health Foundation
Priyadarshani Sharma	Youth & Social Services / Media & Communications	Journalist & Writer
Sanjay Jha	Media & Communication	Head of News Operations, South Asia – ITV News (UK)
Drishti Bhardwaj	Youth & Social Services	Youth Politician – Labour, Scotland, UK
Dr. Shruti Dutt	Media & Communication	Author/ Coach
Neerja Sabui	Finance & Business	Chairperson,MSME Chamber of Commerce,Doha,Qatar
Kapil Kumar	Education,Litrarure & Media	Pro-Vice Chancellor,Panchgavya Vidyapeetham,Belgium
Hariprasad P Patel	Business,Finance & Social Service	Director – Zoar Leisure & Holidays Pvt Ltd,UK/India
Deepak Sajulo Narvekar	Tourism	DGM,Goa Tourism Development Corporation,Govt of Goa,Bharat
Dr Ram Vaidya	Social & Community Service	Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh,London,UK
Jobin Jose	Business & Finance	Co-Founder-Health Orbit ,UK,USA & Bharat

The ceremony reflected a strong sense of Indo-Scottish-UK cooperation and acknowledged the tireless efforts of Indians worldwide towards national advancement.

Esteemed Dignitaries and Guests

The conclave was blessed by several eminent guests, including:

• Union Ministers: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Shripad Y. Naik
• State Minister: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
• High Commissioner of India to the UK: Vikram Doraiswamy
• Deputy High Commissioner to the UK: Sujit Ghosh
• UK and Scottish Dignitaries: Baroness Sandip Verma, Barry Gardiner MP, Kirsteen Sullivan MP, Lord Rami Ranger, Angus Robertson MSP, Gordon MacDonald MSP, Bob Blackman MP, Martyn Day (former MP), Janet Campbell (Councillor)
• Spain: Robert Masih Nahar (Ex-Senator, Spain)
• Belgium: Prof Kapil Kumar
• France: Mukesh K. Meena
• Qatar: Neerja Sabui
• Germany: Dr. Ram P. Bhatt
• USA: Nanda Bhagi Shandilya
• BJP & Governance: Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, Dr. Kamal Taori (VC, Panchgavya Vidyapeetham), Dileep Sanghani (Chairman, NCUI & IFFCO), Dr. Niranjan K. Verma (Founder, Panchgavya Vidyapeetham)
• Media, Academia & Culture: Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat (President OFBJP UK, CMD-MATV), Dr. Sandeep Marwah (Chancellor, AAFT University), Dr. Kumar Rakesh (Editorial Chairman, Global Governance News Group) , Sanjay Jha (Head, ITV News), Manogya Loiwal (Sr. Editor, NDTV India), Dr. Shruti Dutt (CEO, Bloom Academy), Kapil Kumar (Panchgavya Vidyapeetham), Aline Dobbie (Author), Dr. Rajendra Waghmare.
• Healthcare Leaders: Dr. Mani Kumar Sharma, Dr. J.S. Rajkumar, Dr. Naval Verma, Dr. Vivek Kaul.
• Tourism & Govt.: Ganesh Gaonkar (Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation), Deepak Narvekar (DGM, Goa Tourism), Kuldeep U. Arolkar (MD, GTDC).
• Business, Finance & NGOs: Sunita Poddar (CEO, Oakminster Healthcare), Garima Poddar (Director, Ayrshire Care Solutions), Rakesh Kaipenchery (Health Orbit), Preena Verma (Rejoice Health Foundation), Neerja Sabui (Chairperson, MSME Chamber, Qatar), Mukesh K. Meena (Founder, Mukeshver Ayurveda), Dr. Ravi R. Kumar (Koobera Group), and Anjana Sinha (Secy. Human Rights & Crime).

The conclave witnessed thought-provoking insights and blessings from Archna Didi, revered meditation guru of Amrit Path Sansthan, who inspired the audience with her spiritual vision for a harmonious Bharat.

Lord Rami Ranger, Member of the House of Lords, lauded the contribution of the Indian diaspora in strengthening Indo-UK ties in his special message while Martyn Day, former MP in the House of Commons, chaired the award ceremony and praised the inclusive spirit of the Viksit Bharat mission.

Kristen Sullivan, MP, House of Commons, praised the Viksit Bharat movement for strengthening India-Scotland-UK relations in her message. Padma Shri Bob Blackman, MP, House of Commons, also lauded this great movement led by PM Modi in his message.

Robert Masih Nahar, the first Asian elected twice to the Spanish Senate shared his personal journey and spoke about the growing respect for India in countries like Spain. Eminent author and travel writer Aline Dobbie admired India’s rise on the global stage.

Speakers such as Dr. Mani Kumar Sharma, Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, and Dr. Kamal Taori addressed themes of governance, education, and India’s cultural renaissance.

Dr. Kumar Rakesh, Editorial Chairman of Global Governance News Group, delivered a stirring keynote on media, communication, and culture, echoed by senior journalists like Rajendra Waghmare and Priyadarshani Sharma.

Round Table Dialogue and Global Themes

On June 26, a round table conference was held at Edinburgh City Chambers, where experts deliberated on key global and national topics.

Themes as discussed:

• Strengthening India-UK bilateral relations
• Good governance and 11 years of PM Modi’s leadership
• Climate change and sustainable growth
• Tourism and cultural diplomacy
• The global relevance of Hindutva and Panchagavya
• Economic and financial reforms
• Media, law, health, and education policies
• The concept of Cownomics as an alternative economic model
• Ayodhya’s Revival and Cultural Renaissance: A special discussion highlighted the global spiritual and cultural significance of the newly developed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and its role in promoting civilisational confidence across the Indian diaspora.

Exploring Scotland and Cultural Diplomacy

The final day, June 27, was devoted to a cultural excursion, allowing delegates to immerse themselves in Scotland’s natural beauty and historic legacy. Delegates explored lochs, glens, and ancient sites, symbolising a bridge between Indian and Scottish traditions. The day concluded with a group discussion on fostering global peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Organisers and Partners

Rashmi Rai Mantha (Director, Alvirago Ltd.) and Nidhin Chand (Managing Director, Guru for Scots and Vedics Ltd.) played key roles in steering the conclave’s vision and outreach.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Ramesh Mantha and Hariprasad Patel, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries, partners, and sponsors.

The organizing committee extended special appreciation to the OFBJP-UK, High Commission of India (UK) and sponsors including Yaduvanshi, South Asian Network, Ayrshire Care Solutions, BASRAI’s, and ZOZO DMC, whose unwavering support ensured the success of the Viksit Bharat @2047 Conclave.

A New Chapter for the Indian Diaspora

1st time in the history of Scotland – The Viksit Bharat @2047 Conclave marked a milestone in global Indian engagement, showcasing how Indians across continents are working to realise the dream of a developed and self-reliant India.

As Bharat marches toward its centenary of independence in 2047, the global Indian diaspora stands as a powerful partner in its transformation — as thinkers, builders, and cultural ambassadors on the world stage.