Gujarati Diaspora:

Gujarat has very long history of Diaspora. The ancient Gujaratis were known for their trading with other countries. The older port city of Barges (Broach), on the Gulf of Cam bay, was at the crossroads of trade routes to China, Persia, Greece, and Portugal, and was a major trading center since the time of Ptolemy (c. 90 AD - c. 168 AD). The Gujarati community is, by its very nature, diverse and includes individuals from many faith groups including Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Christianity. Mercantile castes of Western India, including Gujarat, have participated in overseas trade for many centuries and as new opportunities arose in different parts of the British Empire, they were among the first to emigrate. Significant migrant Gujarati communities exist around the world. The largest expatriate Gujarati population is the former "British East African Asian" community in the United Kingdom. Other major Gujarati communities exist in South and East Africa (most notably Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Mozambique - a substantial number of Gujaratis from this former Portuguese colony settled in Portugal after its independence) and South-East Asia (Myanmar, Malaysia). Many Gujaratis live in the United States also. Approximately 40% of Indian Americans are Gujaratis. Most Kenyan Asians are Gujaratis. Diasporic Gujarati community has created new benchmark in film industry, be it in India or abroad, we will spot a Gujarati everywhere. From ‘Slum dog Millionaire’ actor Dev Patel to the Celluoid Gandhi Ben Kingsely, both have their origin in Gujarat. Hollywood stars in their own right, Pan Nalin and Kalpesh Modi have also made the state proud as they are sons of the Gujarati soil. Some cricketers like Jiten Patel, Ravindra Shah and Hitesh Modi have also made Gujarat proud. Gujaratis also have powerful contribution in the political leadership of host countries. Lord Dholakia in Britain’s Liberal Democratic Party is the best example for the success of the Gujaratis Diaspora. The resilience of the Gujarati Diaspora is evident from the fact that even after facing total ruin during the regime of Idi Amin in Uganda the Gujarati Diaspora has resurfaced there, and is financially well settled. The special about the Gujaratis and NRG is legendary entrepreneurship.