BHAVNAGAR: City of the Mahatma

Bhavnagar is one of the biggest cities in Saurashtra. It was the first grade princely state in the pre-independence era.

Bhavnagar was also one of the important centers during the freedom as it is also the city our very own Mahatma was born.

History

Bhavnagar is modern as compared to other cities in Gujarat. Bhavsinhji Gohil, the ruler of Sihor in 1723 AD, founded this city. It was the time of persistent Maratha raids from the States of Saurashtra. During one such raid the Maratha army under Pilaji Gaekwad took the chiefs of Lathi and Gariadhar as hostages due to their inability to pay tribute. Bhavsinhji joined these chiefs and made good escape after a heroic fight. Aware of the reprisal that this defiance was to invite, Bhavsinhji decided to shift his capital from Sihor. With the twin objective of taking advantage of the sea as a defensive measure and to secure the advantages of maritime trade, he selected a site near the coast, which came to be known as Bhavnagar. The prompt
suppression of the Koli's piracy boosted the confidence of the traders and the capital soon grew into a thriving port. The last princely ruler Late Sir Krishna Kumar Singhji handed over the administration of his State to the people's representative in 1948 on the advice of
Gandhiji. 

It is a beautiful blend of modernism and traditionalism. People of this city are simple, easygoing and downright modest. The entire atmosphere is that of peace and comfort. It is known for its hospitality and generosity. 

For the tourist, it is a convenient base for visits to the town of Palitana and the sacred hill of
Shatrunjaya.

Bhavnagar is benefited amply because of its seashore. Such a a place was called ' Draunmnukh' in ancient times, where the benefits of water and locale both were easily available and hence a place like this was considered very important from the defence and trade point of view. 

Culture 

Bhavnagar was one of the important centers during the freedom movement. Bhavnagar has always encouraged the activities of art and culture. The state felicitated number of poets and artists including poet Dalpatram. Bhavnagar is a city of culture, education and trade. It has many schools and colleges including the Ladies college. Gandhi Smruti has preserved many memories of Gandhiji. Thousands of books at Bartan Library and Bartan Museum are feathers in Bhavnagar's cap.

Lok-Milaap of Mahendra Meghani is one of the noteworthy institutions in Bhavnagar. Lok-Milaap is endeavoring hard to see that good books should reach to as many as readers. 

Tourist attractions: 

The Old Fort and the Town Hall are two of the major tourist attractions in Bhavnagar. The Town Hall was built in 1932.

TheLegislative Assembly used to meet at the town hall. The port of Bhavnagar was famous for about the last two centuries.

The lock-gate system of newly built Victor Port is peculiar. The Bhavnagar lock gate keeps ships a float in the city's port at low tide. On the surface, Bhavnagar isn't the most exciting place to visit and few travelers get here. It does, however, have an interesting old bazaar area with overhanging wooden balconies, countless little shops, lots of local color and not a tourist in sight.

The big T.B. Hospital is near Songadh via Khodiyar temple, the ancestral deity of the princely family. 

The city has associations with Mahatma Gandhi, who went to university here, and relics of his life can be seen at Gandhi Smriti in the 1895 AD Barton museum building, which also has a fine collection of coins, stamps, guns and other arms, sculpture and folk arts. Bhavnagar has myriad relics of it's princely rule-the Maharajahs commissioned architects like Sir William Emerson, architect of Victoria.

Bhavnagar, belongs to the state of Gujarat, rightly called the 'Jewel in the West', has something for everyone. Gujarat known for its quiet wildlife getaway in Gir, relaxed sun and sand holiday on Gopnath's beaches, a fabulously enriching sightseeing experience at the 863 Jain temple cluster in Palitana or a visit to a dinosaur egg hatchery at Raiyoli. One of the country's most industrialised and progressive states is a combination of a colorful blend of the old and the new. The picturesque coastline offers a number of opportunities for watersports, while its varied habitats provide for unique wildlife viewing opportunities in its sanctuaries. 

The language that the people in the state speak is called Gujarati. Also, natives of this place are called Gujarati. Gujarat is consisted of many different types of people. People from different states migrate to find a better job and in hope of a better future. This makes Gujarat a diverse state. Although, most of the people in Gujarat speak Gujarati, some people speak Marathi, the language from the state of Maharastra; Punjabi, from state of Punjab; and Hindi, the national language of India.

Also, there are lot of different dialects in Gujarat. For example, people in North Gujarat speak different Gujarati than people
in South or Central Gujarat and Eastern or Western Gujarat. The cultural diversity has existed in Gujarat since last three to four centuries. People from different countries have migrated to India, specially in Gujarat, in last three to four centuries. This enabled Gujarat to have cultural diversity, as well as a variety of different religions and languages. Traditional festivities are also a major attraction, the most special of these taking place during the nine days of the
Navaratras. 

Industrial developments

Founded as a port in 1743, Bhavnagar is a sprawling industrial city of Gujarat and an important trading center for cotton products. An 18th century city, Bhavnagar is a premier cotton-exporting seaport on the southeastern Saurashtra coast. It is an intermediate port with a natural harbor. To overcome the difficulty of siltation and to ensure the floatation of ships even with receding tides a lock gate has been constructed at the concrete jetty. Today, Bhavnagar is a city buzzing with people, students, marketplaces, educational institutions, and industries. The ship-breaking industry has helped many traders and businessmen to reap profits. The Gujarat government is actively trying to support this industry and IT traders are also taking advantage of this. Major industries in Bhavnagar are iron re-rolling mills, chemical-manufacturing factories, steel industries etc.

The Central Salt Research and Marine Chemical Research Center is also located here

IT business at Bhavnagar

Bhavnagar has its own association called ABCD (Association of Bhavnagar Computer Dealers). This association was recently formed to bring Bhavnagar in the limelight. According to many of the channel members, Bhavnagar was a neglected town and therefore not much attention showered on IT dealers. This forum has brought all the dealers together and therefore making it easier to meet vendor representatives. Many of the dealers see it like a turning out for Bhavnagar dealers, as they hope to foster relations with vendors and see their business grow. After the formation of the association dealers have changed their attitude. 

The channel in Bhavnagar looks to vendors for support, in terms of sales promotion, better interaction with customers, channel and customer education, as well as workshops on the latest technology and products in the market etc. to name a few. The awareness in the channel is present, but in-depth technology is needed. The channel members want vendors to conduct workshops and technology seminars by vendors to increase the knowledge and business proposition in this region. 

Domestic buyers are 55 percent of the Bhavnagar market. Educational institutions are there in plenty, therefore a lot of students form a major part of the channel business. Payments were a problem here, as it use to get delayed for six to eight months. This was not only in IT but also in other businesses (especially ship-breaking companies). Infact, the association is also working towards getting vendors' direct presence in Bhavnagar. In the future, it is planning to approach vendors to provide octroi paid products. Canon, Wipro and LG are already providing octroi paid products.

Major Resellers

Atual Jani

Agantuk Computer Application

Opp.Ambawadi Bus Stop

1205, Madhuvan, Ambawadi

Bhavnagar- 364002

Tel: 206429

E-mail: shree_soft@hotmail.com 

Alpesh Gujarati

Alphabet Computer

106,Shilpgram Complex

Kalanala, Bhavnagar

Tel: 430511/513285

E-mail: Alpha1ad1@Sancharnet.In 

Viral Shah

Apply Computer Solution

C/O. Shahco Plastics

Opp Jalaram Rolling Mill

Madhia Road,Kumbharwada

Bhavnagar

Tel:438856/519584

E-mail: Acs_Bhav@Yahoo.Com 

Salim Lakhani

Apollo Computers

36, Municipal Shopping Center

Cresent Chowk

Bhavnagar

Tel: 517725

E-mail: Apollocomputers@Rediffmail.Com 

Website : Www.Apollocomputer.Com

Punit Acharya

Computer Vision

Gayatri House,Nr.Ramwadi

Opp Bhidbhanjan Mahadev

Bhavnagar- 364002

Tel: 425490/414162


E-Mail : Punitacharya@Yahoo.Com 

Website : Www.Punitacharya.Com

Uday Baxi

Computech Services

Diwanpara Road,

Bhavngar- 364001

Tel: 424971/428499

E-mail: Ubaxi@Yahoo.Com 

Sohil Bhurani

Dots Duniya

4-Satkar Complex

Nr Satkar Hotel,Station Road

Bhavnagar

Tel: 2519990

Hasmukh Patel

Dhruv Computers

G-23,Gitnajali Complex

Opp Galaxy Cinema,Kalanala

Bhavnagar

Tel: 414124 411547

E-mail: Harindra@Yahoo.Com 

Naushad Bandhukwala

Digidot Computers

120,Madhav Hill Comlex

Waghawadi Road

Bhavngar

Tel: 411820

E-mail: Digidotcomputer@Hotmail.Com 

Mahesh Lodhiya

Dream Computer System

402, Royal Complex

Hajurpayga Road

Bhavngar

Tel: 414651

E-mail: Dreamcomputers@Yahoo.Com 

Devansh Velani

Eesha Enterprise

Hotel Mini Building

Station Road

Bhavnagar

Tel: 421246/424415/414897

E-mail: Eesha@Vsnl.Com 

Ketan Dani/Nilesh Bagadia

Goldline Computer Pvt Ltd

239,Madhav Darshan Complex

Waghawadi Road

Bhavnagar

Tel: 411323/434399

E-mail: Teletextad1@Sancharnet.In 

Govind Bhetaria

Harsh Systems Pvt Ltd

307, Shilpgram Complex

Nr. Doctor House, Kalanala

Bhavnagar- 364002

Tel: O-436475 / 414104 / 510595


Fax : 424280 Resi. 560595


Mobile : 98252 08555

E-mail: Hspl99ad1@Sancharnet.In 


Website : Www.Hsplgroup.Com 

Dhimant Parekh

Heena Infotech

201,City Center, Kalanala

Bhavnagar

Tel: 423021/413238

E-mail: Parekhdhimant@Rediffmail.Com 

Kamlesh Joshi/Bhavesh Joshi

Helix Info Tech

203,Sagar Complex

Jashunath Chowk, Bhavngar

Tel: 511700 / 520700

E-mail: Helix_Bvr@Hotmail.Com 

Hemant Shah/Bhadresh Patel/Vipul Joshi

Hi-Tech Systems

13,Ruturaj Complex

Opp A V School Ground,Cresent

Bhavnagar

Tel: 511515/427231/424374

E-mail: Orbitcomad1@Sancharnet.In 

Jalpesh Rajyaguru / Nipul

Hello Info Tech

B-7,Amardeep Complex

Sanskar Mandal Chowk

Bhavngar

Tel: 563011

E-mail: Hello_Info@Rediffmail.Com 

Website : Www.Bhavnagarmarket.Com

Hemant Shah

Hi-Tech Computers

13,Ruturaj Complex

Opp A V School Ground, Cresent

Bhavnagar

Tel: 511515 R-2513217

E-mail: Htcompad1@Sancharnet.In 

Nitesh Karia

Jay Enterprise

S/8,2nd Floor, Omic Complex

Pirchhlla Road

Bhavnagar

Tel: 514810/414658

E-mail: Jayenterprise@Yahoo.Com