Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visits BAPS Akshardham temple in New Jersey

Chief Minister Visits BAPS Akshardham Temple

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey on the seventh day of his US tour, as reported by ANI and Lokmat Times. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), he was warmly welcomed by BAPS saints at the temple, described as a centre of spirituality and culture.

During his visit, the Chief Minister lauded the temple's rich representation of Indian culture, spiritual traditions, and service to society. He also appreciated the efforts of the Gujarati and Indian communities in preserving Indian culture and values abroad, as reported by both outlets.

Business and Diaspora Engagement

Beyond the temple visit, the Chief Minister engaged in broader outreach with the Indian diaspora. He participated in the 'Garvi Gujarat Global New Jersey' programme, where he called upon the Gujarati diaspora to partner in the state's development journey, according to Lokmat Times. He also interacted with young entrepreneurs, technology experts, business leaders and representatives from various sectors at the Young CEO Meet.

Addressing the diaspora, Chief Minister Patel highlighted Gujarat's contributions to the country's economic growth. Lokmat Times quoted him as saying that the state, accounting for six per cent of India's geographical area and about five per cent of its population, contributes 8.2 per cent to the country's GDP. He expressed hope to raise this to more than 10 per cent by 2030.

He also outlined a roadmap to build a 'Viksit Gujarat' by 2047, dividing the state into six zones with key sectors, growth opportunities and long-term development targets identified for each zone. He cited GIFT City as an example of Gujarat's long-term vision, noting that the ambition to develop it as a global financial and fintech hub dates back to 2006-07.

Context of the Visit

The visit to the Akshardham temple is part of a week-long trip to the United States and Canada, accompanied by a high-level Gujarat delegation, as confirmed by both ANI and Lokmat Times. ANI reported that the visit is part of the state's efforts to strengthen global partnerships and attract foreign investment across key sectors ahead of the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027. Lokmat Times similarly attributed the engagement to the state government's efforts to build business ties and attract global investments.

Both reports framed the temple visit as a blend of cultural engagement and economic diplomacy, with the Chief Minister's itinerary reflecting the state's broader priorities.