The 7th edition of the Safety Alert Program on Prevention of Accidents & Injuries was held on 8.3.2021 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall as part of the 50th National Safety Week Celebration jointly with Directorate of Safety & Health (DISH), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Notified Area Authority (NAA), Vapi. The program was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Executive Committee Member, VIA and Dr. Vikas Jain, Jt. Chairman, Disaster Management Committee, VIA, Keynote Speaker of the event Shri Yagnesh Naik of Naik & Associates, Surat. The Safety Alert Program was attended by about 40 Safety Personnel from various Industries Members. During his speech Shri Prakashbhai said that most of the accidents that take place in industries are quite often due to lack of safety measures and he therefore emphasized that we should practice safety measures and create safety awareness not only during the Safety Week Celebration by round the clock 365 days. He also said that many a times due to faulty reporting small incidents also surfaces like big accidents and the adverse effect of the same has to be then borne by the concerned industry. He further said that to support the MSME Member Units Vapi Industries Association (VIA) & Vapi Emergency Control Center (VECC) is also planning to conduct Safety Audit at their factory premises shortly. Shri Satishbhai said that VIA & VECC is regularly taking initiatives through various awareness programs like Safety Alert Program to create Safety Awareness which has helped many of the Industries Members and their employees & workers. Shri Kalpeshbhai gave brief about the VECC and its activities to all the present saying that VECC offers 24X7 service to the Industries Members in case of any untoward incidents or accidents. He proudly said that nowadays almost every industries members have the phone numbers in their emergency contact numbers list or on their display board and VECC is immediately contacted by them in case of any accidents for its support in coordinating with emergency services like Fire Station, DISH etc. Dr. Vikas Jain suggested that Industries Members should be as proactive to maintain Safety and Security as they are for their Production and Turnover and he said that will only help in reducing untoward incidents or accidents at Industrial Units. Shri Yagnesh Naik explained all the present about the small mistakes we often make to take stock of safety which often resulted into difficulties and complicated situation. He said that the mentality of Industrialists and their Employees need to change about Safety & Security and that will help a long way to reduce accidents and untoward incidents. All the present were grossly benefited by the Safety Alert Program.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) and Vapi Emergency Control Center (VECC) is always committed in up keeping safety, health and environment. VIA & VECC is taking regular measures to make Vapi a Zero Accident Estate by holding various Safety Awareness & Training Programs regularly. Safety Week is celebrated across the country from 4th to 10th March and VIA & VECC is also celebrating the 50th Safety Week from 4th March to 10th March 2021jointly with Directorate of Safety & Health (DISH), Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Notified Area Authority (NAA) as done every year. The inauguration function of the Safety Week Celebration was organized on 4th March 2021 at Pidilite Industries Ltd., Plot No. 23, Phase I, GIDC, Vapi in the presence of Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA and Dr. Sharad Tewari, Unit Head, Pidilite Industries Ltd. After the inauguration Safety Oath was taken by all the dignitaries and participants of the Inaugural Function. During the Inauguration Function of the 50th Safety Week Celebration Shri Prakash Bhadra also informed that VIA & VECC will also be organizing Safety Audit at the MSME Member Units as our Journey to World Zero Accident. Safety Week Celebration is also taking places at the Factory Premises of many of our Industries Members and various Safety Awareness Programs has been planned. Aarti Industries Ltd. has organized Poster Competition, Mock Drill, Essay Competition, Awareness on Usage of Fire Fighting Equipments, Safety Quiz and Safety Speech Competition, Jay Chemicals has organized Training for Safe Keeping and Storage of Materials at their Factory Premises, R3 Crop Care has organized Poem Competition, Mock Drill, Safety Training Session and Safety Quiz Competition. Similarly many other Industries Members have also organized various safety awareness programs at their factory premises showing their commitment in maintain Safety & Health at their factory premises and in the Estate. VIA & VECC also arranged an event on Prevention from Accidents and Injuries, at 10:30 am on 8th March 2021, Monday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall and an Awareness Session on Fire Safety Rules & Norms on 9th March 2021, Tuesday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The Concluding Ceremony of the 50th Safety Week Celebration will be held at 11:00 am on 10th March 2021, Wednesday.

An interactive meeting with Industries Members and Regional PF Commissioners of Vapi was organized jointly with PF Department of Vapi on 24th February 2021 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The meeting was attended by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Aroa, Jt. Chairman, PF Committee, VIA, Shri Hemant R Patel, Jt. Chairman, PF Committee, VIA, Shri Shekhar Kumar, Regional PF Commissioner I, Vapi, Shri V G Salve, Regional PF Commissioner II, Vapi, Shri Deepak Sharma, Enforcement Officer, PF Department, Vapi and Shri Sanjay Kumar, Enforcement Officer, PF Department, Vapi. Shri Prakashbhai during his welcome note said that he has received many representations from the Industries Members about a notice served to them and therefore he discussed the issues with Shri Shekhar Kumar, after detailed discussion both of them decided to hold this interactive meeting to give clarity about those notices. Shri Prakashbhai also appreciated the proactive response in resolving the issues and challenges of Industries Members. Shri Shaekhar Kumar during his speech said that earlier it was planeed to give a presentation on Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojna (ABRY) during this meeting but it was felt to give that presentation in a larger forum so that more and more industries members may get the benefit of the same, he said therefore a presentation on ABRY will be arranged by the PF Department jointly with VIA, involving the surrounding areas Industries Associations and their members, may be on 10th March 2021. He then clarifying the issue of notices served to Industries Members by the PF Department, said that those are not notices and actually an intimation letter to the Industries Members to get themselves registered with the PF Department (if not done already) to reap the benefit of the ABRY, by which the employer and employees will enjoy the benefit of PF for 2 years without contributing from their kitty. He also assured all the present that department will always stand in support with the Industries & Trade Members and will never act like an enforcement authority. The interactive meeting was well attended by over 50 Industries & Trade Members.

Shri B R Gajjar has served as Regional Officer of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Vapi for about 4 years and will be retiring from his duties shortly. A Farewell Meeting has been organized in his honour at 4:00 pm on 26th February 2021. The meeting was attended by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Treasurer, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President & Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri Magan Savalia, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Bhavesh Mehta, Invitee Member, VIA, Shri Pramod Patel, Invitee Member, VIA and many Executive Committee Members and Industries Members of VIA. During their speech Shri Prakashbhai, Shri A K Shah, Shri S S Sarna, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Shri Bhavesh Mehta, Shri Chetan Patel and Shri Sunil Shah expressed their experiences with Shri B R Gajjar and his co-operative nature to help out the Industries Members from challenges and difficulties. Shri Gajjar during his speech expressed his thanks to VIA, VGEL and its Industries Members for all the support and co-operation he has received during his tenure as RO, GPCB, Vapi and the openness of the Industries Members to adopt necessary steps and measures to comply with the environmental norms.

Under the Green Skill Development Program of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and with the leadership of Gujarat Cleaner Production Centre – Envis (GCPC), in support of Vapi Industries Association, 15 Candidates will be trained under the guidance of Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Cleaner Production Centre, CETP of Vapi and the Expert Industrialists. The Certificate Training Course on ETP, CETP, STP Operation and Maintenance will be of 300 Hours. The Inauguration of the course was done 15th February 2021 at Centre of Excellence, Vapi in the presence of Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, Gujarat Cleaner Production Centre, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Chairman of Centre of Excellence Committee, VGEL and Shri Sharad Thakar, Shri Ashok Shukla and Shri Navinbhai Patel. Clean Enviro Project Consultancy. During his speech Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC said that this through this ETP, CETP, STP Operation and Maintenance will help in generating skilled work force for the Industrial Units. Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA during his speech said that ETP and CETP is like Universities which will teach the candidates about treatment of different type of effluent, use of 4R Technique and ZLD Process for controlling and reducing Pollution. Shri Mahesh Pandya said that Centre of Excellence of Vapi is been developed by Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. for Skill Development only and it is a matter of pride that the ETP, CETP, STP Operation and Maintenance Course is being held at Centre of Excellence of Vapi.

An Interactive Meeting was held on 15th February 2021 at GST Bhavan, Vapi under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Principal Chief Commissioner (Vadodara Zone), Shri Ashok Mehta IRS in the presence of Shri Vikram Wani IRS, Commissioner, CGST, Daman, Shri V. Pandit IRS, Addl. Commissioner and Shri Amarnath Kesari IRS, Addl. Commissioner, Shri Hemant Pant, Member, GST Committee, VIA, Shri Pankaj Shukla, Member, GST Committee, VIA, representatives of Daman Industries Association, Federation of Industries Association of DNH, Vapi Chemists & Druggists Association, CA Institute of Vapi and corporate members of Vapi. First and foremost the Principal Chief Commissioner welcomed all the representatives from various Industries Associations and Corporate members. He then expressed that GST department is always having very cordial relation with Industries & Trade Members and wishes to continue doing so and extend the utmost support & help to all. He said in case of any clarification or doubt or excess overreach by any officers of the department the Industries & Trade Members may always contact him directly on +91 98180 99199 to get the issue resolved amicably. Thereafter following matters were informed and discussed : The GST Commissionerate will also be setting up Sarvottam – Taxpayers Lounge in a short while at GST Bhavan for assisting the GST payers. GST Commissionerate has also developed a Mobile App – IRIS Peridot which can be downloaded for free. The Mobile App provides immediate information regarding filing of GST Returns, Status of GST No. etc. once any GST No. is entered. A team from GST Commissionerate will frequently organize trade and department meetings, either though web mode or physical mode (in small groups) for training for new updates and removal of doubts in GST. The present representatives from Industries Associations then represented out about certain incidents that took place recently where Industries & Trade Members were harassed by GST Officials during search activity at their premises and requested the Principal Chief Commissioner to take immediate action to prevent such untoward incidents in the future. Trade representatives also complemented the Commissionerate for their co-operation extended during UTs merger.

Shri V G Bharvad has recently taken charge as the Police Inspector of Vapi GIDC Police Station. A welcome meeting was arranged for him at VIA 1st Floor Conference Hall on 29th January 2021 at 4:00 pm. The meeting was attended by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Ex Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board of Vapi, Shri Magan Savalia, EC Member, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Kamlesh Patel, EC Member, VIA, Shri Krishnanand Heble, EC Member, VIA and Shri Jayendrasinh Parmar, Shri Sanjay Shah, Shri Hardik Shah of VIA After the floral welcome to Shri Bharvad, Shri Prakashbhai did the welcome address and during his welcome speech Shri Prakashbhai on behalf of the Members of the Association assured Shri Bharvad about the continued support and co-operation to the Police Department in maintaining the Law & Order and Safety & Security in the Estate. He then said that the ever increasing traffic is largest challenge and issue of this estate and expressed hope that with the support of Shri Bharvad and the Police Department we will surely be able to reduce the problems. Shri Bharvad also assured to extend his support and co-operation to the Industries & Trade Members and assured to take up the Traffic issue in war footing to reduce the challenges.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) jointly with Employees Provident Fund Office (PF Department) Vapi has jointly organized a Webinar on 20th January 2021 at 12:00 Noon to make the Industries Members aware of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Yoajana of Government of India. The webinar was held in the presence of Chief Guest Shri Kumar Rohit, Addl. Central PF Commissioner, Gujarat Zone, Shri Shekhar Kumar, Regional PF Commissioner – I, Vapi, Shri B H Salve, Regional PFF Commissioner – II, Vapi, Shri Upendra Kumar, Addl. PF Commissioner, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Treasurer, VIA and Officers of Vapi PF Office. During his welcome address to the participants Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA acknowledged and appreciated the continued support and suggestions received from the PF Department and their officials in resolving the queries and problems of the Industries Members. During the COVID 19 Pandemic the Government of India has announced many reliefs and benefits to Industries Members to come out of the challenging period, under Atmanirbhar Package and ABRY is also a part of that package offered by the PF Department. The scheme was very well explained to all the participants to make it convenient to attend the benefits of the scheme. The queries raised by the present Industries Members were also well answered by the Officials from the department. The webinar was attended by over 100 Industries Members.

After decades of efforts and persuasion the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has given the judgment for the Ram Mandir and thereafter Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been formed to build the Ram Mandir (Rashtriya Mandir) at Ayodhya. For early establishment of the Ram Mandir (Rashtriya Mandir) the Trust and its Trustees are working tirelessly. To extend support to Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mahanirman Nidhisamarpan Samiti, Valsad was formed. A meeting was convened at 11:00 am on 23rd January 2021, Saturday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall to support the initiative of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mahanirman Nidhisamarpan Samiti, Valsad to establish the Ram Mandir (Rashtriya Mandir), in the presence of Shri Gopalji, Rashtriya Pracharak, RSS, Shri Yashwant Chaudhari, Leading Head of RSS, Gujarat, Shri Ajay Vyas, Secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Gujarat, Shri Bharatsinh Parmar, Ex. Gen. Secretary & Ex. MP, BJP, Gujarat, Shri Rajjubhai Shroff, CMD, UPL Ltd. & Founder President, VIA and President, Shri Ram Jnmbhoomi Mahanirman Nidhisamarpan Samiti, Valsad, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri A K Shah, Advisory Board Member & Past President, VIA and Vice President, Shri Ram Jnmbhoomi Mahanirman Nidhisamarpan Samiti, Valsad, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA and Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA & President, Gujarat Paper Mills Association, Shri Satish Patel, President, BJP, Vapi Town, Shri Hemant Patel, President, BJP, Vapi Noified Area, Shri Hemang Naik, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President & Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri L N Garg, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA and many leading Industrialists of Vapi Industrial Estate. The present dignitaries requested all the Industries Members to extend their fullest support and co-operation to the work of establishment of the Ram Mandir (Rashtrya Mandir) and contribute generously.

The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated at Vapi Industries Association (VIA) as done every year. We have invited various Government Authorities like Police Department, Fire Fighting Staffs, GIDC, Notified Area Authority, GPCB, ESIC, DGVCL etc. for the Flag Hoisting. The Flag Hoisting was done at VIA Ground at 9:00 am by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA in the presence of Shri Heman Naik, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Nanubhai Bambharolia, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Madhubhai Mangukiya, Invitee Member, VIA, Shri Rajul Shah, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Krishnand Heble, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Sanjay Savani, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Jaish Tekchandani, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Jagdish Bharuchi, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Joy Kothari, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Hardik Shah, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Dr. Kamal Vashi Executive Committee, Member, VIA, Shri Chetan Patel, Chairman, Water Committee, VIA & Director, VGEL. The function was also attended by Shri R Gnanasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Rajendra Chechani, CFO, VGEL, Staff Members of VIA, VGEL & VECC and Industries Members of VIA. After the Flag Hoisting, during his address to the present Shri Prakash Bhadra with great pleasure and pride informed all the present that the Founder President of VIA Shri Rajjubhai Shroff is been Awarded the very prestigious Padma Bhushan Award in this Republic Day 2021, he also said that a congratulation message will be sent to Shri Rajjubhai on behalf of all the Members of VIA. He then appreciated the patience and prudent steps taken by the Industries & Trade Members and the Citizens to successfully come out of the COVID 19 pandemic period. Shri Shri Hemang Naik during his address requested the Industries & Trade Members and the Citizens to continue fulfilling their duties judiciously as they have done during the COVID 19 period to contribute further to the progress of our Nation.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) jointly with Auro University, Surat and Skilltelliegent organized an Orientation Session on Certified Maintenance Practitioners at 4:00 pm on 8th January 2021, Friday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The session was held in presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA and Shri Kamlesh Patel, Executive Committee Member, VIA. During his welcome address Shri Prakashbhai expressed the importance of regular maintenance practices at Industries to maintain safety and increase productivity. The Keynote Speaker Mr. Atul Desai from Skilltelligent and Mr. Kishor Shrama from Auro University emphasized on following maintenance process and practices : ? Breakdown Maintenance : This forced maintenance is done in case of breakdown of machines ? Scheduled Maintenance : This kind of maintenance are routine maintenance and this should be done in regular interval to avoid breakdowns and increase the life of the machines and to increase productivity ? Anticipatory Maintenance : This type of maintenance should be done when it is found that some parts of any machine is reaching its wear & tear period and needs to be replaced to avoid breakdown and therefore a maintenance is planned in anticipation The keynote speaker pointed out that the Scheduled maintenance and anticipatory maintenance is very much useful to increase productivity, have longer machine life and most importantly to reduce downtime. The event was well attended by over 40 plant managers, maintenance managers and maintenance officers of various industries members.

Vapi Industries Association(VIA) has arranged a Farewell Meeting for Shri C R Kharsan IAS, Hon’ble Collector of Valsad on 13th June 2020 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. During the meeting Shri Prakashbhai Bhadra, President, VIA and Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi very well appreciated the Industry friendly and supportive attitude of Shri Kharsan throughout his tenure as the Collector of Valsad and particularly during the Nationwide Lockdown due to COVID 19 pandemic. They said due to his continuous effort and support almost all the Industries of Vapi Industrial Estate was able to function even during the Lockdown to manufacture essential goods and commodities. Immd. Past President of Sarigam Industries Association (SIA) Shri Shirishbhai Desai, President of Vapi Nagarpalika Shri V R Patel, Chief Officer of Vapi Nagarpalika Shri Darpan Oza, Advisor Board Members of VIA – Shri A K Shah and Shri Milanbhai Desai also appreciated the supportive and helpful nature of Shri Kharsan. Shri Kharsan also appreciated the support and co-operation received from VIA and it’s Industries Members which has helped in resolving long pending important issues of the Valsad District and resulted into abundant growth and development in the district. The farewell Meeting was held in the presence of Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, Advisory Board Member of VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member of VIA, Shri Satishbhai Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munnabhai Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Maganbhai Savlia & Shri Chetanbhai Patel, Director of VGEL, Shri Kamleshbhai Patel & Shri Hemantbhai Patel, Members of Notified Area Governing Board of Vapi, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri V D Shivdasan, President, SIA and Shri Lalitbhai Garg, Hon. Secretary, Gujarat Paper Mills Association.

World Ozone Day is celebrated worldwide on 16th September 2020 and VIA is also celebrating the World Ozone Day every year jointly with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL). Considering the present situation due to COVID 19, this year VIA, GPCB and VGEL has organized a Webinar - Online Environment Clinic on Hazardous Waste on 17th September 2020 as part of the World Environment Day Celebration. This webinar was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri V D Sivdasan, President, Sarigam Industries Association (SIA) and Shri B R Gajjar, RO, GPCB, Vapi. The Webinar was attended by over 100 industries members and their employees. During his welcome speech Shri Prakashbhai appealed to all the present to maintain and strictly follow all the guidelines of the Government to maintain safety and health. He further said that there is acute shortage of resources worldwide and therefore we need to take continuous guidance from technical experts and follow their advices and suggestions. Shri Sivdasan welcomed all the present and said that SIA and its industries members are always following and abiding the Government norms and rules. He then enquired certain things about safe disposal of Hazardous Waste which was satisfactorily answered by Shri Gajjar. Shri Rajulbhai Shah then informed about the plan to establish an Acid Bank to facilitate recycling of Hazardous Waste. Shri B R Gajjar then gave awareness to all the present about the guidelines for Waste generation, transportation, recycling, storage disposal including the medical waste like used hand gloves, masks under the present COVID 19 scenario. He also informed all about the necessity to put display board at industries as suggested under the Rule 9 and present order issued by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal. Thereafter during the interaction session with the participants Shri Gajjar satisfactorily responded to the queries of the participants. The participants also appreciated the event and requested to hold this type of events regularly.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA), jointly with Gujarat Pollution Control Board(GPCB), Sarigam Industries Association(SIA) and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL) has organized a Webinar – Environment Clinic on Winter Action Plan – Air Pollution Control During Winter Season on 21st October 2020 under the advice of Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi. The webinar was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman – Green Society, VIA, Shri V D Sivdasan, President, Sarigam Industries Association (SIA), Shri Kaushik Patel, Ex. Hon. Secretary, SIA and the key note speaker of the Environment Clinic Shri Haresh M Ganvit, Senior Scientific Officer – Lab Head, GPCB, Vapi. The Environment Clinic was well attended by over 50 Industries Members and their employees. Shri Prakashbhai during his welcome speech welcomed all the present and said that the presentation of Shri Ganvit to be given during the session will be of extreme importance for the Industries Members and help them in complying the Winter Action Plan for Controlling the Air Pollution. He also said that considerable amount of Air Pollution is done due to the Vehicular Traffic and due to burning of scraps by the scrap dealers. Shri Ganvint thereafter requested the present to control the air pollution caused by gaseous emission at the source itself as he said that due to low temperature in the Winter Season such elements remains in the lower atmosphere causing increase in Air Pollution. He also said that Industries Members who are using Boilers need to do regular scrubbing activities and cleaning of bag filters regularly to control the emission. He further emphasized that this efforts are necessary to reduce the CEPI Index Score. Shri Sivdasan also said that these suggestions will also be of extreme help for the Industries Members of SIA.

A Welcome Meeting was arranged for Dr. Rajdipsinh Zala IPS who has recently took charge as Superintendent of Police, Valsad. The Welcome Meeting was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi & Advisory Board Member of VIA, Shri A K Shah, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Shri Milanbhai Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Shirishbhai Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri V R Patel, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Sureshbhai Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board (NAGB), Vapi, Shri Kamleshbhai Patel, Member, NAGB, Vapi, Shri Hemantbhai Patel, NAGB, Vapi, Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Director, Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL), Shri Chetanbhai Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Sanjay Shah, Jt. Chairman, Security Committee, VIA, Shri Sunil Shah, Aryan Paper Mill Ltd., Shri N K Kamolia, Police Inspector, VAPI GIDC Police Station, Shri R Gnanasegaran, CEO, VGEL and Shri Rajendra, Chechani, CFO, VGEL. In the very beginning of his speech Dr. Zala appreciated the efforts made by VIA and its team members in successfully executing various activities during the COVID 19 pandemic to combat the deadly disease successfully and to support the needy and distressed people of the estate, he also acknowledged the support rendered by VIA to the District Police Department during the pandemic. He then expressed his wish to introduce a Mobile App to register all the Industries Workers & Labours of all the Industries so that if any of the labour / worker even if migrant workers commit any crime they may be traced easily. He also intimated about the upcoming projects Valsad Police Department intends to launch in the coming days are like She project for the safety of the women of the district, she further emphasized that it has been observed that crime with women usually happens in remote places like river side, parks etc. and normally in the dark hours, this project will be appointing dedicated women police team to patrol such areas and Ariel Surveillance will also be made through Drone Cameras, Vadil Vandana project for increased safety & security of Senior Citizens by registering the details of domestic helps and servants who are working at the residences of Old people, this project will also try to extend help to senior citizens by supply them their medicines, as it has been observed that theft and loots are usually happening at the residences of the old people. He also explained about the common dangerous cyber crimes like Email Spoofing and SIM Swapping and intimated the ways and means to protect ourselves from such crimes. He also advised the Industries Members to remain particularly cautious and maintain safety & security while doing online monetary or other transactions. Shri Kanubhai during his speech said that during any accidents at Industries earlier local police department used to file criminal cases against the owner along with the Factory Inspector, but now under the advice of the Superintendent of Police of Valsad the local Police Department cases file as per the report of the Factory Inspector and their suggestion only as they have been advised that Accidents at Factories are technical matter and therefore should be dealt as per the advice of Factory Inspector only. Shri Prakashbhai during his welcome speech said that the citizens and industries are moving more and more towards Digital India bu this will also increase the risk of Cyber Crimes, at this juncture we therefore need guidance of technically strong advisors like Dr. Zala. Shri Sunil Shah appreciating Dr. Zala, said that he has never seen such an versatile Police Officer who has knowledge of Sankrit Language, Cyber Crime and also a Doctor, he said he is sure that Dr. Zala will be promoted to much higher posts in the department in the coming days. Shri Satishbhai during his concluding speech thanked Dr. Zala for all his advices and suggestions and also assured him about all the support from the Association and its Industries Members for the projects Valsad Police Department intends to launch under Dr. Zala’s guidance.

The 74th Independence was celebrated at VIA while following the all COVID 19 guidelines of the Government and the Flag Hoisting was done by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA in the presence of Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalesh Patel, Notified Area Governing Board Member, Vapi, Executive Committee and Members like Shri Joy Kothari, Shri Pankaj Shukla, Shri Hasmukh J Patel, Shri Becharbbhai Patel, Shri Virendra Patel, President, Roatry Club of Vapi and Shri Hardik Shah, Secretary, Rotary Club of Vapi and EC Member of VIA, Dr. Sandip Naik, Nodal Officer for Industries, Valsad Health Department and In Charge of VIA COVID 19 War Room, Staff Members of VIA, VECC and VGEL.. During his address Shri Prakashbhai expressed the difficulties faced by the Industries & Trade Members and citizens across the world in the last 4 months due to the COVID 19 pandemic and also appreciated the power of sustenance shown by the Industries & Trade Members of Vapi Industrial Estate. He said we all need to keep successfully fighting this epidemic and come out victorious. He also said that the present Government under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi very successfully executed and implemented many mission and from VIA he will soon be requesting him to take up the mission to establish a Science Museum in every village and town of the country to encourage and build many more scientist like Late Shri Abdul Kalam. In his speech Shri Satishbhai said that the motto of mission of the last 73 Independence Day has now changed and on this 74th Independence Day we all should take the oath to successfully fight the deadly corona virus disease. He also stated the activities done by VIA in the last 4 months to support the Industries & Trade Members as well as the Citizens of Vapi Industrial Estate and surrounding areas to fight the epidemic successfully, he said VIA COVID 19 War Room has been set up at Vapi Emergency Control Centre for daily monitoring of infected cases in industries and slum areas of the estate, for creating awareness in Industries and Residence Area a VIA COVID 19 Rath is also started and the other activities done regularly to face the challenge.

Shri Sunil Joshi IPS was the Superintendent of Police, Valsad since 9th December 2016 and recently he has got transferred as Superintendent of Police, Dwarka. A Farewell Meeting was arranged on 5th August 2020 in his honour. The meeting was attended by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi & Advisory Board Member of VIA, Shri Milanbhai Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Member of Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Hemant Patel, Member of Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri V R Patel, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Sanjay Shah, Jt. Chairman, Security Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA. During the meeting all the present members of VIA appreciated and acknowledged the effort of Shri Joshi in maintaining the Law & Order in the estate for increased safety & security of Industries & Residents. All have also appreciated the prudent decisions taken by him during the Lockdown due to COVID 19 Pandemic. Shri Joshi also acknowledged support and co-operation received from the Industries as well as citizens of entire Valsad district in maintaining the Law & Order in the district.

Improved awareness and safety measures are the most economic and effective way to control the spread of the deadly disease is to increase awareness. Considering the need the Hon’ble Collector of Valsad, VIA and District Health Department decided to introduce VIA COVID 19 War Rath under the control of VIA COVID 19 War Room which will roam around in the Industrial and Residential Areas of the Estate to announce awareness messages through PA System. The VIA COVID 19 War Rath was Flagged Off on 1st August 2020 in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Ratikant Tiwari, Jt. Chairman, ESIC Committee, VIA, Dr. Sandip Naik, District Nodal Officer for Industries of Valsad, Dist. Health Department & In Charge of VIA COVID 19 War Room and Dr. Mrs. Chetna C Pandey, CHO, Rata, Vapi presently deputed at VIA COVID 19 War Room.

A meeting was held at VIA 1st Floor Conference Hall on 28th July 2020 in presence of Shri G V L Satya Kumar IRTS, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Western Railways, Smt. Jagruti Singhla IRTS, Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM), Western Railways, Shri Pradip R Ahire, Dy. Station Superintendent, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri V R Patel, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Joy Kothari, Member, DRUCC, Shri Lalit Garg, EC Member VIA & Secretary, GPMA, Shri Kaushik Patel, EC Member, VIA and representatives of Sarigam Industries Association and Silvassa Industries Association. During the meeting Shri G V L Satya Kumar explained the initiatives taken by the Indian Railways to introduce freight corridor to increase the volume of railway freight transportation from this region. He said that Western Railways is willing to offer special package and single window service for goods transportation to Industries or Industries Sectors for bulk volume. The representatives from Gujarat Paper Mills Association expressed to offer very good volume for transportation if they get competitive offer compared to road transportation, similarly Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA also expressed that considerable volume of transportation of materials of Pharma and Chemical Industries of the estate may be shifted to Railway Freight Services provided Railways becomes competitive to Road Transportation and he requested Shri G V L Satya Kumar to start trial run of the service for this Industrial Cluster to generate confidence of the Industries Members. He also assured that goods movement data may be provided the Industries Associations for preparation of special packages by railways and inresponse Shri G V L Satya Kumar assured to remain proactive and prompt to offer attractive package for Industries Members of this region as he sees considerable scope of business from this region.

Understanding the severity of the situation due to rapid spread of the deadly COVID 19 in the Vapi Industrial Estate and to combat the epidemic successfully, the District Administration and Vapi Industries Association mutually decided to open a VIA COVID 19 War Room at Vapi Emergency Control Center. The War Room is set to monitor the movement of the residents at major road junctions of the estate through CCTV Camera, to regularly compile data of the infected patients of Vapi, to monitor whether the Industries Members are following the SOP prepared as per the Government Guidelines for COVID 19, mapping of the infected residents at Industries and Slum or Chawl Locality. The VIA COVID 19 War Room was inaugurated by Shri R R Raval IAS, Hon’ble Collector of Valsad in presence of Dr. Sandip Naik, Health Officer, Health Department of Valsad, Shri Alpesh Maru, Divisional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Dineshkumar Parmar, Regional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Member, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi and Members of Press & Media.

A Welcome & Farewell Meeting was organized on 21st July 2020 at VIA 1st Floor Conference Hall for the incoming and outgoing Officers of GPCB, Vapi. Farewell was given to Smt. Jigna Oza, Sr. Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Jaimin Rana, Shri Bhavesh Hadiya and Shri Latesh Patel, Asst. Environment Engineers, GPCB, Vapi and Welcome given to Shri H M Ganvit, Sr. Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi. The meeting was attended by Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee of VIA and Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Suresh Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri R Gnanasegaran, CEO, VGEL and Shri Rajendra Chehani, CFO, VGEL.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has celebrated the World Environment Day on this day, 5th June 2020 in association with GPCB, GIDC, NAA, VGEL and Vapi Nagarpalika. Multiple events were organized during the day. Initially the team members of VIA gave a warm welcome to the Shri R R Raval IAS, who has recently taken charge as the Hon’ble Collector of Valsad and thereafter the Pocket Garden to be developed near VIA House was inaugurated by the worthy hands of Shri R R Raval and Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi they also inaugurated the Blood Donation Camp organized at VIA Auditorium as part of the World Environment Day Celebration and continued to inaugurate the Arogyavan – Herbal Garden, then distributed medicinal plants to the residents of Vapi Industrial Estate and finally inaugurated and did plantation at the Pocket Garden near ROFEL College, Gunjan, GIDC, Vapi. Shri R R Raval Saheb during his speech appreciated the noble initiative taken by VIA to hold the Blood Donation Camp during this challenging time of COVID 19 pandemic, to mitigate the scarcity of blood in this region. He further said that the remarkable work done by VIA to take care of the Mother Nature by planning so many Pocket Gardens and Plantation even at this challenging needs to be well acknowledged. He also assured all the present that the district administration will always try to extend its fullest support in such noble causes. The World Environment Day Celebration – 5th June 2020 was held in the presence of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri D K Parmar, Regional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Vitthalbhai Patel, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Darpan Oza, Chief Officer, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri D B Sagar, Dy. XEN, NAA, Shri N K Kamaliya, Police Inspector, Vapi GIDC, Police Station, Smt. Jignaben Oza, Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Milanbhai Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA, Shri Prakashbhai Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri R Gnanasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Joy Kothari, Shri Jigar Patel, Shri Jatin Monani, Members of Program Committee, VIA and friends from Press & Media.

The 7th Edition of VIA Impact Talks was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 4th March 2020 at VIA Auditorium. The keynote speaker G Anna Durai explained the importance of Customer Satisfaction during his 70 minutes session with thrilling experiences of his career. It was a jam packed auditorium with participants from all the class and communities including industries members, entrepreneurs, students, women. The participants as well as the speaker have enjoyed the every minutes of this well managed session of VIA Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Parag Doshi & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of VIA Impact Talks and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully. The inauguration of the 49th Safety Week Celebration was also done before the VIA Impact Talks. The function was attended by Shri B R Gajjar, RO, GPCB, Vapi and Smt. Jignaben Oza, Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi. During the celebration function Shri Prakashbhai Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Gajjar, Smt, Jignaben and Shri Rajneesh Anand, Chairman, VECC, VIA explained various aspects and importance of safety to the present industries members and safety personnel. Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, VECC, VIA gave safety oath to all the present and requested them to follow the same in their regular life.

Desh Ke Liye Jina Sikhe – a program to motivate the students and youth of this region was organized jointly with UDAN Foundation on 16th February 2020 at VIA Auditorium. The keynote speaker, Dr. Kartik Bhadra, Founder, UDAN Foundation performed his Golden Jubilee session of his speech on that day. During the event he informed the present students and participants about the ideal food habits, way of living which need to be adopted to build themselves strong as well as to make the nation strong. The event was held in the presence of Pujya Shri Kapil Swamiji of Salvav Swami Narayan Mandir, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri V R Patel, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Sandip Patel, Chairman, Gyanganga School, Vapi, Shri Devangshu Desai, Senior Reporter, Chitralekha. The event was well attended by over 780 school students.

A welcome meeting was arranged during the Executive Committee Meeting of VIA on 20th February 2020 to welcome Shri Dhaval B Vasava, Divisional Manager, GIDC, Vapi and Shri Dineshkumar Parmar, Regional Manager, GIDC, Vapi. Over 40 Executive Committee Members and Advisory Board Members of VIA including Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Advisory Board Member & Past President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Advisory Board Member & Past President, VIA, Shri A C Patel, Executive Engineer, GIDC, Vapi and Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board were present during the meeting. Both Shri Vasava and Shri Parmar assured about their support and co-operation in resolving issues of the industries members and citizens of the estate related to GIDC. They have further assured about their continuous availability and prompt response in resolving plot holders issues and queries. Shri Prakashbhai, Shri Satishbhai, Shri A K Shah and Shri Yogeshbhai also assured them about wholehearted support and co-operation from VIA whenever needed and expressed the willingness of VIA to work for the well being of Vapi GIDC Estate.

Vapi Industries Association has organized the 4th edition of Street for All event on 16.2.2020 at Gunjan, GIDC, Vapi in association with Seva Bhavi, Rotary Club of Vapi, Rotary Club of Vapi West, Rotary Vapi Riverside, JCI Vapi, JITO (Jain International Trade Organization and Swachh Vapi Giants, Students of ROFEL and KBS College with the support of GIDC, NAA, GPCB and VGEL. There were over 30 events of various fitness activities, art & craft etc and events like Garba and Drum Circle were enjoyed by the citizens. Over 20000 people from Vapi and surrounding areas enjoyed this fun fiesta on the Sunday morning of 16th February 2020 on the Gunjan Road and Lions Upasana School Lane of residential area of Vapi GIDC Estate. Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri V R Patel, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board of Vapi, Presidents of Seva Bhavi, Rotary Club of Vapi, Rotary Vapi Riverside, Rotary Club of Vapi West, executive committee members of VIA like Shri Kamlesh Patel, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Shri Tushar Shah, Shri Parag Doshi, Shri Lalit Kothari, Shri Joy Kothari, Shri Magan Savalia, Shri Sanjay Golakiya, Shri Hardik Shah, Shri Ajay Patel, Shri Jignesh Desai, Shri Jatin Monani, Shri Jigar Patel are amongst the many who took part and thoroughly enjoyed and encouraged others to enjoy this event.

The Half Yearly General Meeting of Vapi Industries Association (VIA) was held at 3:00 pm on 28th January 2020 at VIA Auditorium. The meeting was chaired by the President of VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra and he was accompanied by his Office Bearers - Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA and Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA on the Dias. The AGM was attended by 144 members and held in the presence of Past Presidents and Senior Members like Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA, Shri L N Garg, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Executive Committee Members like Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Shri Chetan Patel, Shri Hemant, Patel, Shri Lalit Kothari, Shri Lalit Arora and many more.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) always remain proactive and held various seminars, awareness sessions, training sessions and interactive sessions with the support of various Government Departments and Authorities for the knowledge enhancement of its industries members, their employees and citizens of this region. Similarly District Industries Center (DIC), Valsad has also always extended its support and co-operation in holding many events for the well being of the industries members of this estate jointly with VIA and We express our gratitude to the officers of DIC for hand holding with the industries members and the association in their endeavours. As part of our continued effort a Seminar was organized on Gujarat Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment & Operation) Ordinance 2019 and Presentations on MoU with NSE (3 Schemes), MoU with Bank of Baroda, MSFEC (Facilitation Council for Delayed Payment), jointly with DIC, Valsad. The event was held in the presence of Shri C P Patel, Prant Officer, Pardi, Shri Sunil Agarwal Vice President, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri G L Patel, General Manager, DIC, Valsad, Shri Bhavesh Kumar Rai, Chief Manager, Bank of Baroda and Shri Chetan Vyas, Manager, National Stock Exchange, Ahmedabad. Shri G L Patel informed all the present about features and benefits of Gujarat Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment & Operation) Ordinance 2019. Shri Bhavesh Kumar Rai in his presentation explained about various special schemes and policies of Bank of Baroda designed to encourage the MSME units. Shri Chetan Vyas of National Stock Exchange gave audio visual presentation and intimated the present about the special NSE Segment for MSMEs and how NSE provides platform to MSME units an access to public fund. The event was attended by around 50 participants from Industries Members of this region and greatly beneficial to the present.

The 71st Republic Day was celebrated at Vapi Industries Association (VIA) as done every year. We have invited various Government Authorities like Police Department, Fire Fighting Staffs, GIDC, Notified Area Authority, GPCB, ESIC, DGVCL etc. and Schools & Colleges, Senior Citizens Club of Vapi for the Flag Hoisting. The Flag Hoisting was done at VIA Ground at 9:00 am by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA in the presence of Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Executive Committee Member, VIA & Notified Area Governing Board Member, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Executive Committee Member, VIA & Notified Area Governing Board Member, Shri Chetan Patel, Chairman, Water Committee, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman Import / Export Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA and many other Executive Committee members of VIA like Shri Madhubhai Mangukiya, Shri Joy Kothari, Shri Ketan Thakkar, Shri Krishnanad Heble, Shri Jaish Tekchandani, Shri Jagdish Bharuchi, Shri Jatin Monani, Shri Jigar Patel, Shri Devang Patel etc. The function was also attended by Shri R Gnanasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Rajendra Chechani, CFO, VGEL, Staff Members of VIA, VGEL & VECC, Industries Members, Members of Senior Citizens Club of Vapi and students & teachers of St. Xavier’s High School, Vapi. After the Flag Hoisting, during his address to the present Shri Prakash Bhadra informed all about the availability of Government Schemes which will benefit in development of Industries, Society and Infrastructure and encouraged all to avail such schemes to generate sustainable growth in the estate. He also requested all to come forward and partner into various activities, projects and initiatives taken by VIA, other NGOs and Government Authorities for the well being of the mankind. Shri Satish Patel during his address intimated all about the Constitution of India and the importance to bind by the Constitution to build the nation and society and to maintain peace & harmony. After the Republic Day Celebration the One Sided Parking Facility was also inaugurated and the service will start from 1st February 2020 and the implementation of the same will be done through a private security agency. The present Office Bearers and Committee Members also took part in the inaugural session of a Blood Donation Camp at VIA organized by the local Police Department.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) is regularly holding various Safety Awareness Programs, Interactive Sessions with Safety Personnel, Safety & First Aid Training Programs under the Safety Alert Program to create safety awareness to mitigate the risk of accidents or unwanted incidents. The 7th Edition of Safety Alert Program – a Workshop for HAZOP Training was organized on 22nd January 2020 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall jointly with Jogi Safe Tech Solutions, Surat with the support of Directorate of Safety & Health (DISH) and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). The event was held in the presence of Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Smt. Jigna Oza, Environment Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA. The workshop was attended by over 100 safety personnel from the Industries Members of Vapi Industrial Estate. Shri Nilesh Jogal, Lead Process Faculty and Ms. Dish Jethva, Head (Business Development), Jogi Safe Tech Solutions gave audio visual presentation of various case studies and explained various process and methods to maintain safety.

An Open House of GIDC was organized on 24th December 2019 at Center of Excellence, GIDC, Vapi under the chairmanship of Shri Balwantsinh Rajput, Chairman, GIDC in the presence of Dr. K C Patel, MP, Valsad, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri M Thennarasan IAS, VC&MD, GIDC, Shri Bajrang Warli, Chief Engineer, GIDC to discuss about policy related issues with GIDC for the industrial estates of Valsad and Navsari District. The Open House was attended by Shri Prakasg Bhadra, Presdient, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Milan R Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, NA Committee, VIA & Member, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Member, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Shirish Desai, President, SIA, Shri Kaushik Patel, Hon. Secretary, SIA and Presidents and Secretaries from other industries associations like Umargam, Valsad, Navsari etc., officers from GIDC Office and individual industries members. VIA has represented for about 14 major challenges and hurdles faced by the industries members due to certain policies of GIDC, which were well heard by the Chairman and VC&MD of GIDC and they have immediately responded to provide amicable solutions to the issues in near future. Other industries associations and few individuals also raised their issues which were noted by the Chairman and VC&MD of GIDC. The Open House held after quite a few time turned out to be fruitful and positive response was received from the authorities to get amicable solutions to the almost all of the issues raise.

Shri N M Tabani, Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) visited Vapi on 8th December 2019. During the visit he had an interaction with the Team Members of VIA, VGEL and Officials of GPCB consisting of Shri Sushil Vegda, Senior Environment Engineer, GPCB, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Suresh, Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi & Director, VGEL, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri R Gnanasegaran, CEO, VGEL and Officer of GPCB, Vapi. The Team Members of VIA and VGEL felicitated Shri Tabani during the interactive meet.

Dr. Rajkumar S Pandian IPS, Range IG, Surat came for a visit to Meril Life Sciences, Vapi and requested to meet the industries members of Vapi Industries Association for a pleasure meet and interaction. Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA & President, GPMA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Member, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Lalit Garg, Hon. Secretary, GPMA, Shri Jayendrasing Parmar, Chairman, Security Committee, VIA, Shri Sanjay Shah, Jt. Chairman, Security Committee, VIA, Shri Rajendra Chechani, CFO, VGEL and many other Industries Members were present for the meet.

Vapi Industries Association and CHEMEXCIL and PLEXCONCIL has jointly organized a Road Show for CAPINDIA 2019 and a Seminar on Export Risk Management at 2:30 pm on 23rd October 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The event was held in presence of Shri Prafulla Walhe, Dy. Director, CHEMEXCIL, Shri Naman Marjadi, Assistant Director, PLEXCONCIL, Shri Manoj Kumar, Chief Advisor, Unison Credit Insurance, Shri Manish Shah, AVP, Unison, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA. The event was well attended by the Industries Members and their representatives. During the event important information about secured exports and its procedure was shared by the representatives of CHEMEXCIL and Unison.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) and Agilent Technologies Inc. have jointly organized a Seminar on Advanced Separation and Detection System for Lab Testing in Chemical Industries on 17th October 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The Seminar was well attended by over 85 Quality Analyst and Quality Control Managers and associates from different Industries Members. Quality discussions and interactions took place with the team of Agilent present during the seminar including Dr. Manoj Surwade, Product Manager Gas Chromatography and Molecular Spectroscopy, Dilip Shinde, Sales Area Manager, Vinayak Azhakaprakalam, Application Scientist HPLC, Prashant Shah, Product Manager Molecular Spectroscopy, Rajesh Mishra, Product Manager Lab Informatics, Srikanth Ayyappan, Marketing Program Manager on the following topics and the audience found the sessions useful for their regular workflow : • Path breaking innovations in Molecular and Atomic Spectroscopy for chemical applications • Innovations in Gas Phase Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry – Identification & Quantification made easy for Chemical Industry Solutions • Unparalleled HPLC and LCMS Solutions from Agilent to address C&E market requirements

The Half Yearly General Meeting (HYGM) of Vapi Industries Association (VIA) was held at 3:00 pm on 21st January 2019 at VIA Auditorium. The meeting was chaired by the President of VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra and he was accompanied by his Office Bearers - Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA and Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA on the Dias. The HYGM was attended by 270 members and held in the presence of Past Presidents and Senior Members like Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President and many more.

The 48th Annual General Meeting of Vapi Industries Association (VIA) was held at 3:00 pm on 18th May 2019 at VIA Auditorium. The meeting was chaired by the President of VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra and he was accompanied by his Office Bearers - Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA and Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA on the Dias. The AGM was attended by 290 members and held in the presence of Past Presidents and Senior Members like Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA, Shri Vinod Mehra, Past President, VIA, Shri Milan R Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Nanubhai Bhabrolia, Advisory Board Member, VIA and many more.

The 6th Edition of VIA Impact Talks was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 22nd August 2019 at VIA Auditorium. The keynote speaker and well renowned autjor, speaker Chetan Bhagat had a 90 minutes session full of high level motivation with thrilling experiences of his career. It was a jam packed auditorium with participants from all the class and communities including industries members, entrepreneurs, students, women. The participants as well as the speaker have enjoyed the every minutes of this well managed session of VIA Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Parag Doshi, Shri Hemang Naik, & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of VIA Impact Talks and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) in its continued effort for knowledge enhancement and skill development for its Industries Members & their personnel organized and Awareness Session on Exports jointly with Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Surat and Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO), Ahmedabad on 15th October 2019, Tuesday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The event was held in presence of Shri Virendra Singh ITS, Jt. DGFT, Surat (In Charge), Shri Suvidh Shah, Jt. DGFT, Surat, Shri Jayprakash Goel, Head of FIEO, Ahmedabad, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman, Import / Export Committee, VIA. The event was well attended by over 100 Industries Members and their personnel, Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA. During the event Shri Virendra Singhji explained the participants the advantage of availing Niryat Bandhu Scheme for exports. Shri Suvidh Shah highlighted the benefits of FTP 2015 – 20 for exporters. Shri Prakashbhai during his address spoke about the advantage the Indian Exporters may reap due to the US – China Trade War and requested FIEO to identify products which are in demand due the trade war so that fellow industries members may concentrate on manufacturing of such products. The event highlighted many more useful information and data for exporting industries which will be of great benefit for the participants.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has always remained proactive for up-keeping the mother earth through various activities which eventually offers a better living to the mankind. This time following the footsteps of our Hon’ble Prime Minister and on the 150th birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhiji, VIA in association with GPCB, GIDC, NAA and VGEL is launching the Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan on 2nd October 2019, Wednesday. Various activities were exercised during the Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan for the betterment of the environment, society and mankind. Gandhi Global Solar Yatra Project is to create awareness for generation and usage of Renewable Energy to save natural resources and reduce generation of waste. Last year on 2nd October 2018, 1 crore 32 lacs students across the country took pledge to join the project and out it 5000 from IIT Mumbai only took part and taken the pledge. Gandhi Global Solar Yatra was launched at Vidya Vikas Hindi School, Vapi and at Chanod Primary School with the initiative of Jay Chemicals during the Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan on 2nd October 2019. After the launch of the project dustbins were distributed to the school by the stakeholders during the program. M/s Jay Chemicals has initiated the launch of Gandhi Global Solar Yatra at Vapi through various schools to make the students aware about the use and advantage of renewable energy. On the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan they have arranged an awareness session for children at their factory premises. Shri Pankaj Kumar & Shri Vibhor Kumar Sharma, ASO, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri A C Patel, Chief Officer, Notified Area Authority, Vapi, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Rajendra Chechani, CFO, VGEL was present in the event and took pledge along with the children to use renewable energy wherever possible. Single use plastic is getting banned across the country from 2nd October 2019 on the occasion of 150th Anniversary of father of the Nation – Mahatma Gandhi ji. VIA along with GPCB, GIDC, NAA and VGEL also took the initiative to for the same and launched Bring Your Own Bags campaign under Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyaan and distributed Cloth Bags to the shoppers near Low Price, Gunjan, GIDC, Vapi. In the presence of Shri Pankaj Kumar & Shri Vibhor Kumar Sharma, ASO, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, NA Committee, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri A C Patel, Chief Officer, Notified Area Authority, Vapi, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Rajendra Chechani, CFO, VGEL

Vapi Industries Association is regularly holding various Safety Awareness Programs, Interactive Sessions with Safety Personnel, Safety & First Aid Training Programs under the Safety Alert Program to create safety awareness to mitigate the risk of accidents or unwanted incidents. The 6th edition of Safety Alert Program on Hazard Based Risk Management – Approach for Accident Free Working was held on 26th September 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The Chief Guest of the event was Shri P M Shah, Director, Industrial Safety & Health, Govt. of Gujarat and the Guest of Honour was Shri S C Bamania, Jt. Director (Surat), Industrial Safety & Health, Govt. of India. Shri P M Shah during his speech explained the need to comply with Safety Norms and Rules and expressed his willingness to help the industries members to comply the norms & rules for their safety. The keynote speaker Shri Rajubhai Desai, Safety Consultant and Ex Safety Head of Reliance Industries, Vadodara during his presentation explained various aspects, ways & means of Safety Management in different working of environment. The event was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Yagnesh Naik, Safety Consultant, Naik & Associates. The 6th Edition of the Safety Alert Program was well attended by over 150 Committee Members of VIA and Safety Personnel of Industries Members of the estate.

An welcome meeting of Shri M Thennarasan IAS, VC&MD, GIDC was arranged at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall on 11th September 2019. The meeting was held in the presence of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Advisory Board Member & Past President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Advisory Board Member & Past President, VIA, Shri Milanbhai Desai, Advisory Board Member, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Authority, VIA, Shri C K Akhani, Divisional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Shri V H Thakkar, Regional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi and many other officers from GIDC and NAA. During the meeting beside the welcome of the VC&MD, GIDC some serious issues like Establishment of Transport Nagar, Redevelopment Policy & Increase of FSI, Regular Increase of Allotment Price, OTS Scheme for Notified Area Tax, Policy of One Time Utilization for Plots, Establishment of Sports Complex and Underground Cabling of Overhead Electrical Lines of the Estate was discussed and the VC&MD has assured to consider the representations made by the present members.

Independence Day – 15th August 2019 is celebrated like every year at VIA Ground. The President of Vapi Industries Association (VIA) Shri Prakash Bhadra did the Flag Hoisting at 9:00 am in presence of Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, NA Committee, VIA and other executive committee memvers of VIA like Shri Pankaj Shukla, Shri Jaish Tekchandani, Shri Lalit Arora, Shri Joy Kothari, members of Senior Citizens Club and students & teachers of St. Xavier’s School, Vapi. Addressing the present Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA expressed his gratitude and explained the importance of the sacrifice made by our great leaders and freedom fighters. Their sacrifice and contribution has given us independence. He said we all should value and respect those leaders and freedom fighters by following their path and philosophy of Nation first, that only will lead us to a new brighter, prosperous India. He also emphasized the importance of the students and youth for progress of the Nation. He also requested all the present for their active involvement with various social organizations and NGOs in making Vapi a Green Global Industrial Estate. Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA also requested all not to forget the sacrifice done by Mahatma Gandhiji and other freedom fighters for making of India. He said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi has requested the citizens of India to reduce the use of plastic to make India clean and free from pollution he then said we all should follow the request made by Hon’ble Prime Minister by reducing usage of plastic bags and other articles. Before concluding the Independence Day Celebration the new Vapi Emergency Control Centre (VECC) Office was also been inaugurated with upgraded equipments, hardware and materials.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) is organizing various Safety Awareness Programs, Interactive Sessions almost every month under the banner of Safety Alert Program with the support of Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH) and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). In the recent past Fire Safety has become a major challenge for the Industries and Commercial Establishment. Keeping the same in consideration a Safety Alert Program on Fire Safety and NOC Procedure was organized at 3:00 pm on 7th August 2019, Wednesday at VIA Auditorium, GIDC, Vapi. The keynote speaker of the program was Shri L K Dungrani of L K Dungrani Associates, Surat. Shri Dungrani is an ex-officer of DISH and has got wide experience in fire safety and related subjects. Shri Dungrani during his presentation gave some alarming figures regarding fire incidents, he said that everyday around 125 person dies due to fire accident and 70% of the Fire Incidents happen due to electrical short circuit. He then explained various preventive measures for fire incidents and also explained the procedure to obtain NOC for Fire Safety from the concerned government authorities. The event was truly fruitful for the participants and held in the presence of Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA and officers of GPCB. The event was well attended by over 200 safety officers of Industries Members, Fire Fighters of Notified Area Authority, Vapi and Vapi Nagarpalika, School Teachers and faculties.

VIA and all its partner organizations (GPCB, GIDC, NAA & VGEL) has earlier decided to identify open spaces at various locations of Vapi Industrial Estate to develop Pocket Gardens during the Environment Drive 2019 to increase the beauty and the ambience of the estate. An open space was identified for developing a Pocket Garden near Sardar Bhiladwala Pardi Peoples Co-operative Bank Ltd. on Silvassa Road and thereafter necessary work is been done for doing plantation . Inauguration of the said Pocket Garden was done by the worthy hands of Shri C R Kharsan IAS, Hon’ble Collector of Valsad on 13th July 2019 by doing tree plantation at the garden in presence of Shri G L Patel, Dy. Commissioner, DIC, Valsad, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri V H Thakkar, Regional Officer, GIDC, Vapi, Shri A C Patel, Executive Engineer, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, NA Committee, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman, Import Export Committee, VIA, Shri Joy Kothari, Member, Program Committee, VIA .

Mr. Shashi Dalmia, Director and Mr. Shashikant Joshi of Dalmia Polypro Industries Ltd. are involved in the activity of collecting plastic waste from various industries of Mumbai. They gave a presentation along with the proposal on 7th July 2019 at VIA 1st Floor Conference Hall to collect, segregate and recycle plastic waste from Industries as well as Residence areas of Vapi GIDC Estate. This activity may considerably reduce deposit of plastic waste at Solid Waste deposit site. Furthermore Dalmia Polypro Industries Ltd. has assured to pay the market price for the plastic waste collected by them to the concerned as well as certify them of the quantity and material collected by them. The presentation was attended by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri D B Sagar, Dy. Executive Engineer, Notified Area Authority, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Chetansinh Parmar, Sanitary Inspector, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Dilip B Luhar, MIS Expert, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA attended the presentation.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) jointly with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), Notified Area Authority (NAA), Vapi and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL) is initiating Environment Drive every year to maintain the ecological balance and for the betterment of the environment in and around Vapi Industrial Estate. This year also Environment Drive 2019 will be done for 3 months. During the Environment Drive 2019 we will be doing Mass Tree Plantation, develop Pocket Gardens at various open lands and road junctions of Vapi Industrial Estate, exercise Cleaning Drive, develop Model Streets, hold Seminars related to Environmental Topics, Awareness Sessions, Special Awareness Sessions for School Students and Housewives of the Estate. The inauguration of the Environment Drive 2019 was done on 7th June 2019. During the Inaugural Session of the Environment Drive 2019 the work of development of a Pocket Garden was initiated at GIDC Char Rasta (Silvassa Road & NH No. 48 crossing) by the worthy hands of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA Pardi by doing tree plantation at the said garden in the presence of Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Smt. Jignasha Oza, Environment Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri C K Akhani, Divisional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Shri D B Sagar, Dy. Executive Engineer, NAA, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past president, VIA, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEl, Shri Magan Savalia, Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Rajendra Chechani, CFO, VGEL, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA and Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA. The Inaugural Function of the Environment Drive 2019 was well attended by many Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA and members of Press & Media.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) is regularly holding Awareness Session and Seminars on various Safety Techniques, Process and Products under the banner of Safety Alert Program. As part of Safety Alert Program, VIA has organized an Workshop on Detection & Prevention of Toxic Levels of Chemicals in Industrial Environment jointly with Safety ++ of Mumbai, Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), Valsad and GPCB with the support of Draeger Safety India Pvt. Ltd. on 22nd may 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The event was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Vijay Adhikari, Director, Safety ++, Shri Shreyas Jain, Director, Safety ++, Shri Ajay Rai, Manager – Product Application, Draeger India Pvt. Ltd., Shri Mohit Pant, Business Manager – Chemical & Pharma, Draeger India Pvt. Ltd. The workshop was attended by over 70 Safety Personnel of Industries Members. Shri Ashok Moza, EHS Consultant with over 43 years of experience in Chemical Industries were the keynote speaker of the workshop after his presentation the team of Dreager India Pvt. Ltd. also gave presentation about their services and products.

Vapi Industries Association and Western Railways had jointly organized a Vendor Meet cum Exhibition on 3rd May 2019 at Vapi Industries Association. The event was organized with a motto of inducting new Vendors in the supply chain of Indian Railways. Several materials, parts and instruments regularly consumed by various departments of Indian Railways were also exhibited at the Ground Floor of VIA House to given an idea to the participants of the event about the requirements of Indian Railways. The event was held in presence of Shri Jyoti Prakash Pandey IRSS, PCMM, Western Railways, Mumbai, Shri H R Soni IRSS, EDRS(C), Railway Board, Mumbai, Shri Ashish Verma, CMM(M), Western Railways, Mumbai, Shri Rakesh Bahl IRSME, Group General Manager (1), RITES, Mumbai, Shri Shailendra Kumar Sharma IRSME, Jt. Director (Inspection& Liaison) RD&SO, Mumbai, Shri Ritesh Bhatia, SMM, Western Railways, Valsad, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Joy Kothari, Jt. Chairman, Railway Committee, VIA and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA. The present railway officials shared important information about Vendor Registration, e-Tendering procedures etc. Shri Jyoti Prakash Pandey informed that annual purchase amount of Indian Railways stands at a fantastic Rs. 50,000/- Crores and encouraged the present Industries Members to get involved in the supply chain of Indian Railways. The event was well attended by over 70 Industries Members.

The Ministry of Skill Development has invited the industrial clusters of entire country earlier to take part in the Industry Apprentice Initiative (IAI) under the STRIVE Project of World Bank for a grant of Rs. 1 Crore. Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has thereafter applied for the IAI Project and the proposal of VIA was approved as one of the two Industrial Cluster of Gujarat state. To find out the way forward for the IAI Project and for preparation of the IAI Plan to be submitted to the authorities and Orientation Workshop was arranged on 29th April 2019 at VIA 1st Floor Conference Hall. The Workshop was held in the presence of Shri Praveen Mainpuri, Director, Employment & Training, Ministry of Skill Development, Govt. of India and Designated Representative of World Bank, Shri V S Champavat, Asst. Director, Directorate of Employment & Training, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri D B Vadaviya, Technical Officer, Directorate of Employment & Training, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri Hemant Choudhari, Principal 1, ITI, Pardi, Shri N R Patel, Principal, ITI, Dharampur & In Charge Principal, ITI, Kaprada, Shri Girish N Lad, Principal, Bhilad, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hasmukh Shah, Shri Hasmukh Shah, Chairman – Skill Development Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Jt. Chairman, Skill Development Committee, VIA. Over 26 Industries Members who have extended their support to facilitate the project by providing on site apprentice training, Principals and Staff Members from other it is of Valsad District and Ankleshwar, representatives of Ankleshwar Industries Association was also present for the Orientation Workshop.

The 5th Edition of VIA Impact Talks was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 10th April 2019 at VIA Auditorium. It was a sensitizing session of 90 minutes on the empowerment of women which took place in the remotest areas of the country. The keynote speaker of international fame – Smt. Chetna Gala Sinha of Mann Desi Foundation shared her experience and journey of empowering the rural women of Maharashtra who are successfully running the first ever Women Co-operative Bank with digital facilities. The participants as well as the speaker have enjoyed the every minutes of this well managed session of VIA Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Tushar Shah, Shri Hemang Naik, & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of VIA Impact Talks and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully. The VIA Impact Talks session was attended by over 650 Industries Members and Members of various Women Welfare Organizations of the Estate as well as the Teachers & Students from various Schools & Colleges.

A Seminar was organized Highlighting Key Challenges and Issues Under the GST and Customs Law on 27th March 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall jointly with Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorney. Shri Nirav S Karia, Shri Ratan Jain and Shri Chaitnaya R Bhatt, Joint Partners of Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Attorney were the keynote speakers of the event and explained various important aspects like GST Credit Notes, Credit Distribution Mechanism, Cross Charging, Input Tax Credit etc. The Seminar was held in the presence of Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajen T Shah and many other Executive Committee Members of VIA. The Seminar was well attended by over 55 Industries & trade Members and Tax Consultants of the estate.

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India is offering Industry Apprenticeship Initiative (IAI) Grant to Industrial Clusters of the country to strengthen apprenticeship training within the Industries of the Industrial Cluster. The said grant is allocated by the STRIVE Project of World Bank and it has to be channelized and monitored by the Directorate of Employment & Training of the respective State Governments. Vapi Industries Association (VIA) with its continuous effort to strengthen the existing workforce and to generate skilled personnel for the Industries Members earlier decided to approach the Employment and Training Department of the State of Gujarat to avail the IAI grant and accordingly with the support and guidance of ITI Pardi sent a proposal along with the filled up form and supporting documents as prescribed to avail the facility. With great pleasure and pride it is to state that the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India has approved the proposal of VIA and thus a grant up to Rs. 1 Crore is sanctioned under the scheme. VIA is one of the only 2 industrial clusters selected for this grant from the entire state of Gujarat. This is been achieved by the selfless and hard work done by the Office Bearers and their Team. Shri Satishbhai Patel, Hon. Secretary took the initiative to prepare the entire proposal along with the prescribed form and submitted the same on 14th February 2019. Thereafter Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary of VIA has earlier attended a meeting organized by the Directorate of Employment & Training, Government of Gujarat on 21st February 2019 at Gandhinagar and gave a complete presentation on the project. On the basis of the proposal and the presentation, VIA became eligible and got selected for the grant. Now today, 15th March 2019, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA along with Shri Chetan Patel, Chairman – Water Committee, VIA & Director, VGEL and Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman – Green Society, VIA is attending a Technical Workshop on IAI under STRIVE Project and during this workshop a tripartite agreement will be signed between the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India, State of Gujarat through the Director, Employment & Training, Govt. of Gujarat and Vapi Industries Association (for Vapi Industrial Cluster) through the President of VIA. Immediately after signing the Tripartite Agreement a part of the grant (40%) will be disbursed towards initial expenses of the project. This is going to give a big boost to the training and skill development activities within and around the Vapi Industrial Estate to generate adequate skilled manpower.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA), CHEMEXCIL, Ahmedabad and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. has jointly organized an Awareness Session on KORA REACH (K-Reach) Regulation & FOREX Risk Management on 11th March 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. Mr. Gagan Kumar, India Representative, Reach Law and Mr. Rohit Jethra, Executive Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank were the Keynote Speaker of the event and they have explained important features of K-Reach Regulations and FOREX Risk Management respectively. The Awareness Session was held in presence of Mr. Dharmendra Joshi, Regional Director, CHEMEXCIL, Ahmedabad, Mr. Keval Jambudia, VP, Treasury FX & Derivatives, Mr. Meherzad Turel, VP, Sales, Mr. Vikas Electricwala, VP, RL Area Head’s Office, Mr. Sarath Menon, Chief Manager, Product Sales – Trade & Foreign Exchange (South & Central Gujarat), Mr. Akash Damani, Manager – marketing HO, Mr. Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Mr. Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA. The event was well attended by over 50 Industries & Trade Members.

The 70th Republic Day was celebrated on 26th January 2019 at VIA Ground as done every year. The flag hoisting was done by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA in presence of Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, many committee members namely7 – Shri Suresh Patel, Shri Magan Savalia, Shri Chetan Patel, Shri Hemant Patel, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Shri Lalit Arora, Shri Lalit Kothari, Shri Hasmukh Patel, Shri Ketan Thakkar, Shri Kantibhai Gogdani and the teachers and students of St. Xavier’s High School, Vapi, members of Senior Citizen’s Club of Vapi. After the flag hoisting during his address to the present Shri Prakash Bhadra acknowledged the contribution of the Defense personnel in safeguarding our country. He expressed the importance of contribution of individual citizens in building and progress of the nation. He also stated that VIA is involved in may activities exercised for the well being of the citizens and the society and keep doing so in the coming days too.

Vapi Industries Association, Employment Department of Valsad and ITI Colleges of Valsad District have jointly organized a Bharti Mela (Job Fair) under the Chief Minister’s Apprentice Scheme on 17th January 2019 at VIA Auditorium. The Bharti Mela was held in the presence of Shri D M Acharya, Asst. Commissioner, DISH, Valsad, Shri S J Nayak, Labour Commissioner, Valsad, District Employment Officers of Valsad, Shri M C CHoudhary, Principal, ITI,Pardi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA and Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA. There were 47 Industries Members who took part in the Bharti Mela for about 350 vacancies they have at their units. Out of total 153 unemployed who participated in the Bharti mela, 128 has been screened by the Industries Members and selected primarily.

Vapi Industries Association jointly with Adani Hazira Port Pvt. Ltd. has organized an Interactive Session on 17th January 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The session was aimed to facilitate the Importers and Exporters of the estate by making them aware about the services offered by Adani Hazira Port. Pvt. Ltd. the Interactive Session was held in the presence of Shri Paul Almeda, DGM – Custom Service & Shri Gajanan Babar, Manager – Business Development, Adani Hazira Port Pvt. Ltd., Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA and many committee members and members of VIA. The session was well attended by over 80 Industries Members. Following points discussed and elaborated during the session for your information please : ? Customs Out of Charge can also be obtain from “RMS Facilitation centre” at Hazira Customs house by all AEO & DPD approved customers for Hazira Shipments ? We have Examination warehouse next to container yard in Hazira Port, which reduces overall time for movement of containers and Examination process. ? Delivery of import containers from Adani Hazira port can easily be done within 24hours of discharge. ? Shipping line Port of loading ocean freight charges are at par with Hazira Port ? Quick turnaround time of trucks at port. (Approx. 40Mins) ? Smooth process of container gate in & Out. ? Congestion free port ? No Form 13 required. ? Bonded warehouse facility with area of 961 sq. meter with In House CFS ? Outside CFSs : Seabird & Hind Terminal ? 3 hours gate cut off prior vessel arrival. What benefits vapi customer gets from Hazira compare to NSH? - Distance Advantage - Transportation cost is lower compare to NSH - Apply for Direct port delivery to curtail CFS cost

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) jointly with Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Vapi Regional Center, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), UDCT Alumni Association, Vapi and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL) has organized a Seminar on The Latest Innovations In Chemical Technology TO Improve The Environment by the keynote speaker - Padma Vibhusan Prof. M M Sharma at VIA Auditorium on 22nd January 2019. The seminar was held in presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Dr. H M Bhatt, Chairman – IIChE, Vapi Regional Center & S S Pokale, Hon. Secretary, IIChE, Vapi Regional Center. The seminar was well attended by over 250 participants. Following are the highlights of the speech and presentation given by Padma Vibhusan Prof. M M Sharma : ? It was explained how the chemical reactions were carried out in the past, in present and will be done in future with examples. The main themes of innovations in chemical reactions at present are to protect the environment and increase overall safety. ? The time has gone to call by-products in the industries. The innovation in chemical reactions should be such that there are no by-products but there shall be co-products. This will create valuation in the industry. ? There is increasing requirement of processing of hazardous chemicals towards cleaner processes so that there is least impact on environment and enhancing safety of plants and people. ? For cleaner processes, micro-reactors are being used. By using micro-reactors, the batch reactions can be converted to continuous reactions with increasing efficiency and safety. ? The innovations are being used for installing Distributed Plants at end-user locations to reduce product cost, impact on environment, logistics etc. ? In future electro-chemical reactions will play vital role in protecting environment. ? The conventional Oil Refining Companies are moving towards petrochemicals based complexes. ? To reduce the effect of green house gases especially of carbon dioxide, the plants will be set up to capture carbon dioxide and convert it to hydrocarbons and other chemicals. ? The Effluent Treatment Plants has to use different technologies to reduce solid wastes and cleaner liquid discharge. ? The Sewage Water Treatment Plants have to be set-up for re-use of water and reduce green house gases. ? The solid discharge waste due to increasing population and modernization is mammoth problem. Segregation, re-cycle and re-use have to be adopted by using the latest technologies to reduce burden of land filling and contamination of land. ? The industries have to identify their burning problems, come forward to support research and adopt new technologies to protect environment and safety of the people.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) being an Industries Association plays the major role of representing to various Government Authorities for the Industries Members. The Team of VIA members has realized that with the development of Industries the upliftment of the Society and the Citizens are also necessary to generate sustainable growth. With that understanding VIA is regularly involved in its various endeavour for the well being of the underprivileged people of this region. In its continued effort VIA has distributed 450 blankets to the people of Ozarda village (near Nanapondha & Dharampur), Valsad District on 14th January 2019, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Many more blankets were also distributed to the underprivileged people of Vapi Industrial Estate on 11th January 2018.

Indian Chemical Council (ICC) is the responsible authority for compliance of Chemical Weapons Convention Act for the concerned industries. ICC, Vadodara is therefore organizing regular Awareness Sessions at Vapi Industries Association (VIA) on Chemical Weapon Convention. One of such Awareness Program for Chemical Weapon Convention was organized on 12th January 2019 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall jointly with VIA. The program was held in the presence of Shri Anand Kane & Ms. Aarat Sheth of ICC, Vadodara, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA. Shri Prakshbhai during his opening speech informed all the present about the important role played by ICC in helping the Industries Members for compliance of Chemical Weapons Convention Act. As is done by other regulatory authorities like GPCB, CPCB etc., he expressed his sincere thanks to Shri Anand Kane and the Team of ICC for their co-operation and help extended to the Industries Members of the estate for compliance. Here below is the brief given thereafter by Shri Anand Kane of ICC to the participants : ? National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention (NA CWC), Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India in collaboration with Indian Chemical Council has set up CWC Help Desks in the various regions of the country. ? The CWC Act 2000 enacted by Government of India is in force to implement Chemical Weapons convention (CWC) a multilateral, disarmament treaty. ? Gujarat State is housing majority of Chemical / Pharmaceutical/ Colour industry of the country and has also a major share in meeting its obligations to implement CWC Act – 2000. ? CWC Help Desk is set up in Vadodara to assist industry in filing complete, accurate and timely CWCdeclarations to NA CWC. The Help Desk is headed by Mr. Anand Kane who is also an EX Chemical Weapons inspector. ? CWC Help Desk conducts outreach programmes every year to create awareness amongst industry. The programmes are conducted in the State at locations having concentration of relevant industries. Vapi Industries Association is extending full cooperation and support to CWC HD officials in conducting Awareness Programmes for the industries in the region to meet its obligation in implementing CWC. ? The relevant Indian industry is aware and meeting its obligations (by providing annual declarations of its facilities) in accordance with statutory requirement and as moral responsibility for the cause of peace and safety of the countrymen. ? India is receiving about 20 - 25 international inspections each year and these are being successfully accomplished, jointly by Industry representatives and Enforcement Officers from Government of India. ? VIA commends efforts of officials of ICC’s CWC Help Desk- Vadodara by assisting industry in meeting its obligations. The program was well attended by over 55 Industries Representatives.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) and District Industries Center (DIC), Valsad has jointly organized a Seminar on Single Window Clearance Act as part of the Ease of Doing Business policy of Government on at 11:00 am on 29th December 2018, Saturday at the Conference Hall of Center of Excellence, Vapi. the seminar was aimed to make the Industries Members aware of the facilities and services offered by Government under Ease of Doing Business to encourage further sustainable growth. The seminar was held in the presence of Shri R I Chavara, Jt. Industries Commissioner, Gandhinagar, Shri G L Patel, General Manager, DIC, Valsad, Shri M K Madani, General Manager, DIC, Navsari, Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri B R Gajjar, regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri D D Solanki, Industries Officer, DIC, Valsad, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA and Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA. The seminar was well attended by over 60 Industries Members and their employees.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) jointly with income Tax Department has organized a Seminar on Provisions of TDS / TCS at the VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall on 28th December 2018, Friday. The seminar was held in the presence of Dr. Vipul Chavda IRS, Dy. Commissioner, Income Tax, TDS Circle, Surat, Shri Vinod Kumar, Income Tax Officer, TDS – 2, Surat, Shri Varughese Philip, Income Tax Officer, TDS – 3, Surat, Shri Rajan A, Income Tax Office, TDS, Valsad, Shri Satishbhai Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri G B Laddha, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Viren Sanghvi, Executive Committee Member, VIA. During the seminar the officers of IT department explained the procedure to file return of TDS and TCS also they explained the implications of not filing the returns and the applicability of penalty for the same. The seminar was well attended by committee members and members of VIA, chartered accountants and accounts professionals.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) jointly with income Tax Department has organized a Seminar on Provisions of TDS / TCS at the VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall on 28th December 2018, Friday. The seminar was held in the presence of Dr. Vipul Chavda IRS, Dy. Commissioner, Income Tax, TDS Circle, Surat, Shri Vinod Kumar, Income Tax Officer, TDS – 2, Surat, Shri Varughese Philip, Income Tax Officer, TDS – 3, Surat, Shri Rajan A, Income Tax Office, TDS, Valsad, Shri Satishbhai Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri G B Laddha, Executive Committee Member, VIA, Shri Viren Sanghvi, Executive Committee Member, VIA. During the seminar the officers of IT department explained the procedure to file return of TDS and TCS also they explained the implications of not filing the returns and the applicability of penalty for the same. The seminar was well attended by committee members and members of VIA, chartered accountants and accounts professionals.

The 4th Edition of VIA Impact Talks was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 20th December 2018 at VIA Auditorium. It was a Duet Stand Up Comedy Show of Manan Desai & Om Bhatt. The session of 90 minutes was full of roars and laughter from all the corners of the VIA Auditorium. Both Manan Desai & Om Bhatt successfully made the entire audience free of anxiety, tension and stress throughout the session. The participants as well as both the comedians have enjoyed every minutes of this well managed session of VIA Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Tushar Shah, Shri Hemang Naik, Shri Jigar Patel & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of VIA Impact Talk and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully. The VIA Impact Talks session was held in a jam packed VIA Auditorium and attended by almost all the segments of Vapi and surrounding areas, including the Advisory Board Members of VIA, Past Presidents of VIA, Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA and their Staff Members, the youth community of the estate.

The 3rd Edition of VIA Impact Talks was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 19th December 2018 at VIA Auditorium. It was a mind tickling session 90 minutes of Motivational Speech by the keynote speaker of international fame – Shri Suresh Srinivasn on Enthusiasm is Everything. The participants as well as the speaker have enjoyed the every minutes of this well managed session of VIA Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Tushar Shah, Shri Hemang Naik, Shri Jigar Patel & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of VIA Impact Talk and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully. The VIA Impact Talks session was held in a jam packed VIA Auditorium and attended by almost all the segments of Vapi and surrounding areas, including the Advisory Board Members of VIA, Past Presidents of VIA, Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA and their Staff Members as well as the Students from various Colleges.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) and District Industries Centre (DIC), Valsad has jointly organized a Training Program for Sellers on Government e Market Place on 7th December 2018 to make the industries members aware train about how to sell and supply products to the Government Departments through Government e Market Place. The training program was held in the presence of by Shri S J Vyas, Addl. Commissioner (IMD), Industries Commissionerate, Government of Gujarat, Shri G N Desai, Jt. Commissioner, Industries Commissionerate, Government of Gujarat, Shri G L Patel, Dy. Commissioner, DIC, Valsad, Shri M K Lada, GM, DIC, Navsari, Shri D D Solanki, Industries Officer, DIC, Valsad, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman – Import / Export Committee, VIA. The program was well attended by over 75 Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) and Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) have jointly organized a seminar on Preparing GST Audit, Filing of Annual Returns & Highlights of FTP on 14th December 2018, Friday to facilitate and create awareness to the Industries Members and the Exporters of the Estate. The Seminar was attended by Shri Abhimanyu Sharma ITS, Jt. DGFT, Surat, Shri Nirav Kariya, Chartered Accountant from Mumbai, Shri Jaiprakash Goel, FIEO, Ahmedabad, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA and Executive Committee Members of VIA. Shri Sharma has informed to the present about the various online and digital facilities offer by the Govt. of India to reduce the hardship of the Industries enabling them to comply with the Government Policies and to enhance their business activities. Shri Kariya gave a visual presentation to the participants explaining the details of the GST Audit preparation and Annual Return Filing procedures. The event was well attended by over 70 Industries Members and Professionals of Vapi GIDC Estate.

A conference on One Planet Academy was organized jointly with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), India and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for the School Students, Teachers & Principals. The conference was aimed to create awareness on Wildlife and Environment and safekeeping of the same. The conference was attended by Ms. Radhika Suri, Director – Environment Education, WWF, India, Shri Mautik Dave, Head – WWF, Gujarat, Smt. Jigna Oza, Sr. Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri H S Patel, Dist. Forest Officer, Valsad (South Zone), Smt. Aditi Deshpande, WWF, Gujarat, Ms. Neha Raghav, Sr. Program Officer, WWF India, Ms. Mansi, Project Officer, WWF India, Shri Iqubal & Shri Pragnesh of Dist. Science Centre, Dharampur. The conference was well attended by over 125 students, teachers and principals from over 45 schools from Vapi, Valsad, Pardi, Umargam, Silvassa.

In its continued effort to mitigate the risk of accidents, Vapi Industries Association is regularly organizing Safety Alert Programs to create awareness and train the safety personnel of Industries Members. One such session of Safety Alert Program on Emergency Preparedness at Work Places was organized on 30th October 2018 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall jointly with Sarvam Safety Equipment (P) Ltd. with the support of Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), Valsad and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Vapi. Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA expressed the concern of VIA in making Vapi Industrial Estate a zero accident estate and the efforts made by the association towards the same. Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA during his introductory speech also pointed out the necessity to create awareness on safety measures which will result into reduction in rate of accidents at industries. Smt. Jignasha Oza, Environment Officer, GPCB, Vapi said that in the last one week VIA and its associates has organized to seminars on Safety and that itself shows our commitment in maintaining Industrial Safety & Health in the estate. Mr. Mohanarangan V, Sr. Business Development Manager, Sarvam Safety Equipment (P) Ltd. and Sr. Business Development Manager, Sarvam Safety Equipment (P) Ltd. gave presentation and demonstration of various Safety Equipments to combat accidents and health hazards at work places. The program was well attended by over 120 industries members and their safety personnel.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) is putting their continuous effort for improved ambience and environment in Vapi Industrial Estate and surrounding areas. As part of that continued effort we are extending our helping hand in resolving the environmental challenges and issues of the Industries Members. To address such issues VIA and GPCB is regularly organizing Open Houses and Environmental Clinics. One of such Environmental Clinic was organized on 24th October 2018, Wednesday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman – Environment Committee, VIA, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL. The topic of discussion of the Clinic was “Improvement & Modification in ETP Units for Better Treatment of Effluent and Ultimately Achieving Norms, Highlighting 4R Concept”. The Environment Clinic was well attended by over 60 participants from various industries.

Vapi being a chemical hub, there is regular movement and transportation of chemicals. This carries enormous risk of accidents. To create awareness to mitigate such risks Vapi Industries Association (VIA) in association with Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Vapi Regional Centre, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH) has organized a Seminar on Safety Management for Transportation of Chemicals on 23rd October 2018, Tuesday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The Seminar was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCb, Vapi, Shri D M Acharya, Asst. Director, DISH, Valsad, Smt. Jagrutiben, Asst. Director, DISH, Valsad, Dr. H M Bhatt, Chairman, IIChE, Vapi Regional Centre, Shri Maulik Desai, Vice Chairman, IIChE, Vapi Regional Centre, Shri Shashikant Pokhle, Secretary, IIChE, Vapi Regional Centre, executive committee members and members of VIA, IIChE and Vapi Transport Association. The keynote speaker Mr. Allwyn Cresto, CEO, Nicer Globe gave a visual presentation and explained various aspects and needs of safe transportation of chemicals to avoid unwanted incidents and accidents. The seminar was well attended by over 80 industries members and their employees

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) always taken utmost care for Safe Keeping of Environment and maintaining the Ecological Balance. VIA also regularly hold awareness sessions to create awareness about the Environment to the Industries Members and the people of the Estate. In our continued effort World Ozone Day was celebrated today, 17.9.2018 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. World Ozone Day Celebration was done in the presence of Shri N D Tandel, Sr. Scientific Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman - Green Society, VIA, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL. The program was well attended by over 80 participants from Member Industries, Staff Members of CETP & VGEL and Participants of Master Trainer Program organized by MoEF&CC, GoI and GCPC. During the program the dignitaries explained the necessity to maintain the Ozone Layer in the atmosphere and the adverse effect of destruction of the Ozone Layer in the Atmosphere

Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Gujarat and Chairman of GPCB came for a visit to Vapi Industrial Estate on 8th September 2018. He has visited the CETP of Vapi, Muktidham - the Eco Friendly Crematorium and then had a meeting with senior members of VIA at VIA House. During the meeting Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA gave a brief about various activities of VIA and VGEL exercised for up keeping the Environment & Ecological balance which resulted into sustainable growth in the estate and its industries members. He also briefed about various CSR activities taken up by VIA time to time. Dr. Gupta during his speech at VIA House appreciated the initiatives taken by VIA, VGEL and its member industries to adopt environment friendly production practices and the vision they have for the future environmental projects which will yield into further sustainable growth. During the visit and the meeting Dr. Gupta was accompanied by Shri kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri K C Mistry, Member Secretary, GPCb, Shri Sushil Vegda, Unit Head - Vapi, GPCB, Shri A G Patel, Vigilance Officer, GPCB, Surat, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, NAGB & Director, VGEL, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEl, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Sanjay Golakiya & Shri Kantibhai Gogdani, Executive Committee Member of VIA, Shri A C Patel, Executive Engineer, GIDC, Vapi & Chief Officer, Notified Area Authority, Vapi, Shri D B Sagar, Dy. Executive Engineer, NAA, Vapi.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt. of India and Gujarat Cleaner Production Center (GCPC) has jointly planned to organize a 90 days Certificate Course to train the personnel from across the country to become a trainer for the ETP / CETP / STP Operations & Maintenance and the entire cost for the course is to be borne by MoEF&CC as their initiative to Skill India Program for Skill Development. Considering the performance of Industries of Vapi and CETP, Vapi they have decided to launch the Master Trainers Program from Vapi. Accordingly the the Inauguration of the master Trainers' Program and the launch of 1st Batch of 15 Participants was done on 5th July 2018. The inauguration was done in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman - Green Society, VIA, Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, GCPC, Shri B R Gajjar, RO, GPCB, Vapi, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL. The program was well attended by many committee members & members of VIA and the participants of the 1st Batch.

Shri Pradeep Singh IFS, Director (Environment), Dept. of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Gujarat came for visit to Vapi today and had a interaction with members of Team VIA about the the expansion plan of CETP from 55 MLD to 70 MLD, Formation of the Acid Bank and other Environmental Issues of the Estate. Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman - Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGEL and Shri B R Gajjar, RO, GPCB and other officers of GPCB were present for the discussion at VIA Office. Thereafter the members of Team VIA took Shri Singh to CETP, Vapi for a visit. After seeing the process of treatment he thoroughly appreciated the process maintained at CETP. Then he did symbolic tree plantation also at the CETP, Vapi.

An interactive session was organised in the presence of Shri Ajay Das Mehrotra. IRS, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Surat, Shri Anand Kumar. IRS, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Surat to address and discuss the issues related Income Tax. The program was attended by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, Shri S S Sarna, Chairman - IT Committee, Shri Hemant Pant, Jt. Chairman - IT Committee, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman - Environment Committee, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman - Green Society, VIA and many other committee members of VIA. The program was well attended by over 70 participants from industries and trade

Vapi Industries Association jointly with Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) and Drip Capital Services LLP, Mumbai has organized a Seminar on Export Balancing - Easy Access for Unsecured Finance for SME Exporters on 24th August 2018 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. During the seminar Shri Ravi Narwani, Director, Drip Capital Services LLP explained the finance facility available and offered by them for SME Exporters. The seminar was held in presence of Shri praful Solanki and his colleagues from FIEO, Ahmedabad Office, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman - Import / Export Committee, VIA and many other committee members. The Seminar was well attended by over 55 participants

Vapi Industries Association jointly with Mastermind Training Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd., Surat organized Seminar - Bharat Sone Ki Chidiya on 21st August 2018 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The keynote speaker of the Seminar - Shri Aslam Charania expressed the ways & means to build a golden future of our country with the contribution of the entrepreneurs and the need of patriotic entrepreneurs in the building of the nation. The seminar was held in the presence of Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA. The seminar was well attended by around 150 numbers of Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA and participants from all around Vapi.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has always taken utmost care in maintaining safety at its Industries members units and in the estate. VIA has organized Awareness & Interactive Sessions, Training Programs to create safety awareness. In continuation to this effort VIA has now started a regular event named Safety Alert to create further awareness and training on Safety & Industrial Health. The 2nd Edition of the Safety Alert program was on First Aid Training to the Industrial Workers and Employees of the Estate. The First Aid Training Session was organized jointly with the Directorate of Industrial Safety & Health, Valsad on 16th August 2018 at the Conference Hall of Center of Excellence, Vapi. The First Aid training was given by Dr. Jagdish D Shah of Navsari. Inauguration of the training session was done by Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA, Shri D M Acharya, Asst. Director, DISH, Valsad, Smt. Jagruti Chouhan, Asst. Director, DISH, Valsad in presence of Officers of DISH, Valsad, Members of VIA and participants of the First Aid Training Session. During their Speech, Shri Prakash Bhadra and Shri rajneesh Anand explained the need and importance of First Aid at the time of an accident. Over 100 industrial workers and employees from the Industries Members of the Estate.

Vapi Industries Association and Best paper Mills Pvt. Ltd. has jointly organized a Free Ayurvedic Check Up Camp on 16th & 17th August 2018 at VIA Auditorium with the support of eminent Ayurvedic Doctors like Natwarlal C Prajapati, Mayur N Prajapati and others. The camp was inaugurated by Shri Prakashbhai Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Natwarlal C Prajapati, Ayurvedic Doctor, Shri Mayur N Prajapati, Ayurvedic Doctor and Officers from Best Paper Mills Pvt. Ltd. The camp got overwhelming response on the 1st day itself - 16.8.2018 and over 375 patients from this region took the benefit of the camp.

Shri Ishwarbhai Thakorbhai Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State for Sports, Youth & Cultural Activity and Transport, Government of Gujarat visited Vapi Industrial Estate on Independence Day - 15.8.2018. Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Satishbhai Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Maganbhai Savalia, JT. Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kaushikbhai Patel, Jt. Chairman, GIDC Committee, VIA, Shri R Gananasegaran, CEO, VGELShri Manibhai Patel, President, Valsad Jilla Panchayat and other members of VIA & VGEL took him to the CETP, Vapi and gave a presentation on the working of CETP and there after took him to the Muktidham the Eco Friendly Crematorium of Vapi GIDC Estate.

The Independence Day was celebrated at VIA as done every year. Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA did the Flag Hoisting at 9:00 am at VIA Ground in presence of Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satishbhai Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemangbhai Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Past Presidents & Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA and Students & Teachers of St. Xavier's High School of Vapi. After the Flag Hoisting the present members and students gave respect to the Father of the Nation- Gandhiji. VIA also felicitated the young athlete of Valsad District - Ms. Tejal Bhoya and the Blind Football Team of Valsad by handing over running shoes and football boot respectively.

The 2nd Edition of VIA Impact Talk was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 28th July 2018 at VIA Auditorium. It was a breath taking session 90 minutes of Motivational Speech by the keynote speaker of international fame & best selling author - Ms. Priya Kumar on Go Beyond. The participants as well as the speaker have enjoyed the every minutes of this well managed session of VIA Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Paraga Doshi & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of VIA Impact Talk and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully. The VIA Impact Talks session was held in a jam packed VIA Auditorium and attended by almost all the segments of Vapi and surrounding areas, including the Advisory Board Members of VIA, Past Presidents of VIA, Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA and their Staff Members as well as the Students from various Colleges.

The premiere session of Impact Talk was organized by Vapi Industries Association on 30th June 2018 at VIA Auditorium. It was a breath taking session 90 minutes by the keynote speaker of international fame - Dr. Pawan Agrawal on the Time Management Skills of Mumbai Dabbawala's. The participants as well as the speaker have enjoyed the every minutes of this well managed session of Impact Talks and all have acknowledged Shri Paraga Doshi & Shri Jatin Monani, the Coordinators of this session of Impact Talk and the Program Committee of VIA. The Program Committee of VIA also acknowledged the support of the Office Bearers and Committee Members of VIA in holding the event so successfully. The Impact Talk session was held in a jam packed VIA Auditorium and attended by almost all the segments of Vapi and surrounding areas, including the Advisory Board Members of VIA, Past Presidents of VIA, Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA and their Staff Members as well as the Students of Schools and Colleges. The next session of Impact Talk will be held on 28th July at VIA Auditorium with another speaker of International fame - Ms. Priya Kumar

The 4th Vishwa Yog Divas was celebrated by Vapi Industries Association (VIA) at 7:00 am on 21st June 2018 at the Hall of Green View Hotel in association with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), Notified Area Authority (NAA), Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL), Art of Living, Seva Bhavi, Rotary Club of Vapi, Jain Social Group, Ghoghari Youth Group, Sangini Forum, Maitri Group, Patanjali Yog Pracharak and Vapi Mahila Utkarsh Mandal. The Vishwa Yog Divas was celebrated in presence of Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri A C Patel, Executive Engineer, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Harish Patel, Ex Chief Officer, NAA, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Jatin Monani, President, Seva Bhavi, Shri Sanjay Shah, Jain Social Group and many others. The event was well attended by the Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA and other partner organizations. Celebrity Yoga Trainer, Ms. Swagatika Senapati taught the present Swas Yoga along with the members of Art of Living, Vapi

An Open House of GPCB was organized on 15th June 2018 at VIA Auditorium during the Environment Drive 2018 under the chairmanship of Shri Sushil Vegda, Unit Head – Vapi, GPCB, Gandhinagar in the presence of Shri Rajesh Parmar, Dy. Environment Engineer, GPCB, Gandhinagar, Smt. Jignasa Oza, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi & Director, VGEL, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri R Ganasegaran, CEO, VGEL and Executive Committee Members of VIA and officers from GPCB Vapi Office. The Open House was well attended by over 280 industries members. During the Open House the Unit Head – Vapi, GPCB, Vapi appreciated the performance of CETP, Vapi and the results achieved due to the same. He assured the industries members to grant permission for additional discharge and also assured permission to CETP, Vapi for Capacity Expansion in the coming days. Many industries members raised their issues during the Open Forum and satisfactory answer / solution was given by the Unit – Head, GPCB, HO

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has taken utmost care in conserving the environment and ecological balance in the estate and surrounding areas. As a part of this effort VIA celebrates World Environment Day on 5th June every year in association with concerned Government Authorities and various NGOs. This year also VIA has celebrated World Environment Day on 5th June 2018 jointly with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), Notified Area Authority (NAA), Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL) and GIZ. Multiple events were organized to celebrate the World Environment Day beginning with CYCLOTHON (Cycle Rally) to create awareness about environment and ecology. Over 150 industries members and workers took part in the rally. The Hon’ble Collector of Valsad, Shri C R Kharsan IAS flagged off the CYCLOTHON from VIA Ground and the rally went from VIA Ground to Vishal Mega Mart to Prime Circle to Raymond Circle to Rotary Circle to end at Ram Leela Maidan. Thereafter the inauguration of Environment Drive 2018 (5th June to 5th September 2018) was done by the Hon’ble Collector at Ram Leela Maidan. During the Environment Drive 2018 carious activities like Cleaning Drive, Awareness Programs, Seminars, Thematic Exhibition, Interactive Sessions will be held regularly to make the estate Clean & Green and to create awareness for Environment & Ecology. The inauguration of Environment Drive 2018 was followed by launching of a special Mobile App – WED 18 made by VIA for the Environment Drive 2018 by Shri Kharsan Saheb. The Mobile App can be downloaded from Google Play Store by anyone. This app is designed specially so that industries members may upload the photos of their activities exercised for the betterment of the environment during the Environment Drive 2018. After that free saplings were distributed to the citizens of the estate and the industries members to encourage them to do more plantation to increase greenery in the estate and surrounding areas. The theme for this World Environment Day – 5th June 2018 was – Beat Plastic Pollution and in an effort to make it a reality VIA introduced Eco Friendly Carry Bags substituting Plastic Carry Bags for religious places like Ambe Mata Mandir etc. Tree plantation was done at Raymond Circle, Gunjan and at Sardar Chowk, Near Fire Station, GIDC, Vapi to increase to greenery in the estate and to improve the ambience. These events were well attended by the Industries Members and their employees and held in presence of Shri C K Akhani, Divisional Manager, GIDC, Vapi, Smt. Jignasa Oza, GPCB, Vapi, Shri D B Sagar, Dy. XEN, NAA, Vapi, Shri Parth Suthar, Dy. XEN, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Keyur Choudhary, Dy. XEN (Drainage Dept – I/C), GIDC, Vapi, Shri Tushar Jani, GIZ, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman – Notified Area Governing Board of Vapi, Shri Rajul Shah, Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Committee, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Chairman, Membership Committee, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman Import Export Committee and many othe executive committee members of VIA.

The 47th Annual General Meeting of Vapi Industries Association (VIA) was held at 3:00 pm on 22nd May 2018 at VIA Auditorium. The meeting was chaired by the President of VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra and he was accompanied by his Office Bearers - Shri Sunil Agarwal, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA and Shri Hemang Naik, Jt. Secretary, VIA on the Dias. The AGM was attended by 129 members and held in the presence of Past Presidents and Senior Members like Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA, Capt. A G Deo, Past President, VIA, Shri Milan R Desai, Chairman, PR Committee, VIA and many more.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) with its continued effort in creating awareness to maintain Safety amongst its Industries Members organized a Pre Monsoon Seminar on Working at Height at 10:00 am on 25th May 2018, Friday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall jointly with DISH, Valsad, GPCB and Naik & Associates (Safety Consultant), Surat. Before monsoon almost every industries does repair and maintenance work at their factory premises which involves working at a height many a times. While working at height the industries workers and employees need to take special care for safety to avoid unwanted incidents and accidents. This seminar was organized to create awareness on various safety measures which needs to be taken while working on height. The keynote speakers Shri Yagnesh Naik, Safety Trainer Shri Nitinbhai Patel and Shri Kirtibhai Panchal of Naik & Associates, Surat shred their experiences with the present about various incidents and made them aware about various safety measures which needs to be followed while working at height. The seminar received such an overwhelming response and had such huge attendance that the venue has to be shifted from VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall to VIA Auditorium to accommodate the participants and safety personnel from the Industries Members. The seminar was held in the presence of Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Office, GPCB, Vapi, Shri D K Acharya, Asst. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri Prakash Bhadra, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kalpesh Vora, Chairman, Green Society, VIA and Shri Kamlesh Patel, Jt. Chairman, Green Society, VIA and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA. The seminar was well attended by over 225 safety personnel from the Industries Members.

In continuation to the effort VIA has celebrated Safety Week starting from 5th March 2018 and exercised various activities to create awareness on Safety Measures and Techniques amongst the Industries Members and Residents of this estate. The Samiksha Samaroh was held on 10th March 2018 at VIA Auditorium to review the activities done during the Safety Week. A brief presentation on the following activities was shown to the present : Motorcycle Rally to create awareness about safety measures held on 5.3.2018 Seminar on Process Safety Management was held on 6.3.2018 Training Session on Road Safety - Emergency Driving Techniques was held on 7.3.2018 Awareness Session on Self Defence Techniques for Women was held on Women's Day - 8.3.2018 Felicitation of the Industries was also done by the worthy hands of the dignitaries for the activities done by them at their units to celebrate the National Safety Week 2018. The Samiksha Samaroh of the 47th National Safety Week Celebration was held in the presence of Shri Ramanbhai Patkar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Forest & Tribal Development, Government of Gujarat, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri D C Choudhary, Director of Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Gujarat, Shri Anthony Baria, Unit Head – Vapi, Divyabhaskar, Shri A C Patel, Chief Officer Notified Area Authority, Vapi, Shri Tandel, GPCB, Vapi, Shri D M Acharya & Smt. Jagrutiben Chouhan, Asst. Directors, DISH, Valsad, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi. The event was well attended by over 500 Industries Members, Executive Committee Members and Safety Personnel from the Industries of the Estate.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has always taken proactive steps to create awareness amongst the Industries Members on various aspects like Industrial Safety, Domestic Safety, Road Safety, Environment Safety etc. to encourage them in generating sustainable growth. VIA will be celebrating National Safety Week from 5th to 10th March this year to create awareness about the need to maintain safety and adopt safety measures, with the support of the Department of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH), Aarti Industries Ltd., Vapi Green Enviro Ltd, Divyabhaskar, VECC and the Industries Members A Motorcycle Rally was arranged at 8:30 am on 5th March 2018, Monday at VIA Ground as part of the National Safety Week celebration. The event was held in the presence of the Hon'ble Collector of Valsad, Shri C R Kharsan IAS, Shri D M Acharya, Asst. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri S J Bariya, Police Inspector, Vapi GIDC Police Station, Representatives from Divyabhaskar, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Rajneesh Anand, Chairman, VECC Committee, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Chairman, HR Committee, VIA, Shri Pankaj Shukla, Chairman, U/G Drainage Committee, VIA, Shri Hemant Patel, Chairman, NA Committee, VIA and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA and Press & Media Staff Members. Over 750 Motorcycle of Staff Members from Industries Members took part in the rally to create Safety Awareness . Beside Motorcycle Riders there were over 300 Industries Workers took part in the rally in Tempos and Vans.

Vapi Industries Association has organized the 2nd edition of Street for All event on 25.2.2018 at Gunjan, GIDC, Vapi in association with Seva Bhavi, Rotary Club of Vapi, Rotary Club of Vapi West, Rotary Vapi Riverside, JCI Vapi, Ghoghari Youth Group and with the support of GIDC, NAA, GPCB and VGEL, with a theme "Say No to Plastics, Carry Your Own Bag". There were over 25 events of various fitness activities, art & craft etc. Events like Masala Bhagda and Drum Circle were experienced by the people of Vapi for the first time during this event. over 9000 enjoyed this fun fiesta on the Sunday morning of 25th February 2018 on the Gunjan Road and Lions Upasana School Lane of residential area of Vapi GIDC Estate. Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Director, VGEL, Shri Ashok Shukla, Past President, VIA, Presidents of Seva Bhavi, Rotary Club of Vapi, Rotary Vapi Riverside, Rotary Club of Vapi West, executive committee members of VIA like Shri Parthiv Mehta, Shri Hemang Naik, Shri Parag Doshi, Shri lalit Kothari, Shri Joy Kothari are amongst the many who took part and thoroughly enjoyed and encouraged others to enjoy this event.

An Interactive Meeting of Industries Members was arranged with Shri Jaydrathsinhji Parmar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Environment, Agriculture & Panchayat, Govt. of Gujarat and Shri Arvind Agarwal IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, Dept. of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Gujarat & Chairman, GPCB on 9th February 2018 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall to discuss about the Environmental Status of the Estate. The Interactive Meeting was held in the presence of Shri Ramanbhai Patkar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Forest & Tribal Development, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Bharatbhai Patel, MLA, Valsad, Shri Arvindbhai Patel, MLA, Dharampur, Shri K C Mistry, Member Secretary, GPCB, Shri A G Patel, Vigilance Officer, GPCB, Surat, Shri G V Patel, Regional Officer, GPCB, Sarigam, Smt. Jignaben Oza, Incharge Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Ashok Shukla, Past President, VIA, Shri Shirish Desai, President, Sarigam Industries Association, Shri Sunil Agarwal, President, Gujarat Paper Mills Association and executive committee members & members of VIA & SIA and officers from GPCB & GIDC. The Hon'ble Minister of State for Environment, GoG and the Addl. Chief Secretary, Dept. of Environment & Forest , GoG appreciated the work done by VIA, VGEL and its Industries Members for the safe keeping of the Environment of Vapi Industrial Estate and surrounding areas.

An workshop was organized on National Apprentice Training Scheme jointly with Employment Department of Valsad on 8th February 2018 at VIA Auditorium. Shri N C Gangde, Asst. Director, Board of Apprentice Training, Mumbai, Shri M C Vasava, Dy. Director, Employment Department (South Gujarat), Surat explained the need of training and skill development to generate employment and development of industries. Shri Pramod Mishra and Shri B B Mangukiya explained the present about the apprentice training scheme. The workshop was held in presence of Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hasmukh Shah, Chairman, Skill Development Committee, VIA, Shri K M Sarang, Employment Officer, Valsad, Shri S K Patel, Employment Officer, Valsad, Shri D B Gandhi, Ex Employment Officer, Valsad. The workshop was well attended by the HR Staff Members from Member Industries of the Estate and surrounding areas.

A seminar on Unlocking Enterprise Value was organized jointly with Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates Ltd. & NSE Emerge on 30.1.2018 at VIA 2 nd Floor Conference Hall. The seminar was attended by Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemant Pant, Chairman, Banking & Financial Committee, VIA, Shri Kaushik Patel, Jt. Chairman, GIDC, Committee and many executive committee members and members of VIA and many investment consultants and chartered accountants of Vapi. Shri Asit C Mehta, Smt. Dina Patel, Smt. Purvi Ambani from Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates Ltd. and Smt. Rachna Bhusari from NSE has given their presentation and explained the procedures, criteria and advantages of SMEs to get themselves listed on National Stock Exchange. The seminar was well attended.

Like every year Republic Day was celebrated at VIA on 26.1.2018. The Flag Hoisting was done by Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA in presence of Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Past President, VIA, Executive Committee Members of VIA - Shri Magan Savalia, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Shri Pankaj Shukla, Shri Lalit Kothari, Shri Hasmukh Shah, Shri Hemant Patel, Shri Chetan Patel and many others. The students of St. Xavier's High Scholl of Vapi and Members of Press & Media also took part in the Republic Day Celebration

Post introduction of GST, Government is introducing E - Way Bill for transportation of goods. An awareness session is been arranged jointly with Gujarat State GST Department and Vapi Transport Association on 24th January 2018 at VIA Auditorium. Shri M C Prajapati and Shri PM Desai, Dy. Commissioners ( Enforcement), Gujarat State GST, Surat explained the procedures to generate E - Way Bill and its rules to all the present Industries Members and Transporters. The Awareness session was attended by Shri Chandrakant Pandya, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA and many Executive Committee Members of VIA. The Awareness Session was well attended by over 500 participants.

A welcome meeting was arranged on 5th of January 2018 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall to welcome Shri Ramanbhai Patkar who has recently been appointed as the Hon'ble Minister of State for Forest & Tribal Development, Govt. of Gujarat. Shri Hitendrabhai Thakkar, President, VIA and Shri Sureshbhai Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Governing Board, Vapi and Shri Sunil Agarwal, President, Gujarat Paper Mills Association gave him a floral welcome. The meeting was attended by Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Past President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Past President, VIA, Shri Milan R Desai, Chairman, PR Committee, VIA and the executive committee members of VIA

An Open House of GPCB was organized at 11:00 am on 27th December 2017 at Centre of Excellence, Vapi in presence of Shri Sushil Vegda, Unit Head, GPCB, Vapi, Shri B R Gajjar, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Immediate Past President, VIA & Director of Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL), Shri Mahesh Pandya, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Kirit Mehta, Past President, VIA & Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Rajul Shah Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA and many other committee members and senior members of VIA. The Open House was well attended by over 150 industries members. Shri Vegda interacted with the Industries Members on Environmental Issues and also intimated them about several industry friendly processes adopted by GPCB.

We have got limited resources for energy generation and energy is one of the most important requirements for the industries and it is often a major expenditure also. Therefore there is a continuous need to save energy and conserve the resources for a better living. In the past we have organized various seminars, workshops and knowledge sharing sessions to understand the ways and means to save energy. This seminar was also planned jointly with Development Enviroenergy Services Ltd. to enhance your knowledge to understand better ways to save energy and optimize the resource utilization which will eventually reduce your expenditure and add strength to the financial. The seminar was held in the presence of Shri M Sudesh, SIDBI, Delhi, Shri P Ganesh, SIDBI, Surat, Shri M G Dave, Sr. Consultant and Shri Srikant Kasturi, Consultant from Development Enviroenergy Services Ltd., Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Shri Kaushik Patel, Shri Hemang Naik and many other Executive Committee Members of VIA, Industries Members

Vapi Industrial Estate has experienced rapid industrial growth in the last few decades. Industrialization also invariably increases risk of accidents and unwanted incidents. To mitigate and minimize such risks we have taken ample measures by establishing Vapi Emergency Control Centre and also planning to establish a Mini Emergency Response Centre shortly. We are regularly conducting awareness sessions on safety methods and processes, regular interactive sessions with safety personnel of Industries Members for knowledge sharing. We are also conducting Gujarat Technical Education Board recognized Post Graduate Diploma Course on Industrial Safety & Health for the last 10 years. This seminar jointly organized with TSM The Safety Management Pvt. Ltd. was also aimed to create further awareness on process safety to mitigate the risk. The Seminar was held in the presence of Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Chairman, HR Committee, VIA and the Keynote Speaker of the seminar was Shri Sanjeev Kumar, CEO & Founder of TSM The Safety Management. The Seminar was well attended by around 100 Safety Personnel and Industries Members.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) is regularly holding Mega Job Fair with the support of District Administration and Valsad Employment Office. VIA is also organizing Job Fairs time to time jointly with Employment Department of Valsad and various it is. With the rapid industrial growth in the Vapi Industrial Estate and surrounding region we are in constant need of skilled employees and workers. This has often created a sizeable gap between the actual requirement and recruitment. To mitigate the demand of employment and to reduce unemployment in this region VIA is continuously putting its effort by holding such job fairs. As a continued effort a Mega Job Fair has been organized jointly with Labour & Employment Department of Gujarat and Valsad Employment Department on 6th October 2017 at VIA Ground. The inaugural function of the Mega Job Fair was held in the presence of Shri C R Kharsan IAS, Hon’ble Collector of Valsad, Shri G L Patel, General Manager, DIC, Valsad, Pardi, Shri K M Sarang, Employment Officer, Valsad, Shri J C Choudhary, Principal, ITI, Pardi, Shri Vasava, Mamlatdar, Vapi, Shri K V Bhandari, Principal, ITI, Vapi, S K Patel, Employment Officer, Valsad, and other officers from Employment Department, DIC, many of the Industries Representatives Press & Media members. The inaugural function was also attended by Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President, VIA, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA and many Committee Members of VIA. Total 1030 candidates registered themselves during the Mega Job Fair for recruitment, 34 Industries took part in the Mega Job Fair for recruitment and after initial evaluation 795 candidates were primarily selected for final recruitment by these Industries.

Vapi Industries Association jointly with CII and Sarigam Industries Association has organized a Clinic on Ease of Doing Business at 3:00 pm on 31st August 2017, Thursday at Centre of Excellence, GIDC, Vapi to address and amicably resolve the Challenges and Hurdles faced by the Industries Members. Shri D R Parmar, Deputy Commissioner of Industries, Gujarat was keynote speaker of the Clinic. The Clinic on Ease of Doing Business was held in the presence of Shri HItendra Thakkar, President, VIA, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Neeraj Desai, Chaiman of CII - Southern Gujarat, Shri Shrish Desai, President, Sarigam Industries Association and his Office Bearers and Committee Members, Past Presidents, Committee Members and Members of VIA, officers from DIC, GPCB, GIDC, representatives of CII and Press & Media Friends. Shri D R Parmar gave important information about various subsidy & Incentive Schemes, the Online Portal of Industries Commissionerate and its use to Industries and the Estates to introduce & implement Ease of Doing Business.

The long awaited One Tax One Nation has come true with the introduction of GST. With introduction of any new system there always comes some initial teeting problems. The Industries Members are are also facing some initial hurdles in making accounting entries after the introduction of GST and many of the Industries uses Tally Software for their accounting system. Understanding this Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has organized a Training Program on Tall jointly with Kakaria Associates. Shri Ashish Parekh and his team gave elaborate presentation on Tally and explained how the entries of GST to be made. The Training Program was held in the presence of Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President, VIA, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, CA Jaiprakash Sethiya & CA Subhash Kotadiya from Kakraia Associates. Coinciding with the Training Program in interactive session on GST Related Quarries was held in the presence of Shri Yatish Patil, Asst. Commissioner of GST, Div. I, Vapi, Surat Range. The event was well attended by the Industries Members and their Accounting Personnel, Chartered Accountants and Accounts Consultants.

Like every year Vapi Industries Association celebrated the 71st Independence Day of our Nation . The Flag Hoisting was done by the Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President, VIA at 9:00 am at VIA Ground in the presence of Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Past President, VIA, Shri Ashok Shukla, Past President, VIA, Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA, Members of Senior Citizens Club, Students and Teachers of St. Xavier's School, Vapi and Press & Media Members. Shri Hitendrabhai during his speech expressed the important role of the youth and the necessity to remain united to fight the evils and make India progress to become a super power. Shri Ashokbhai and Shri Maheshbhai expressed the need to join the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan and to keep our city clean. Shri Prakashbhai also expressed his views and said freedom from poverty and cleanliness all around will give the actual freedom to the Indians. Over 100 people joined the celebration function.

VIA has always taken lead role and proactive steps for the safe keeping of the environment and create awareness amongst the Industries Members and Residents of the Estate about the importance to maintain the ecological balance which resulted into all round growth in this Vapi Industrial Estate. As part of the continued effort for the betterment of the Environment VIA has initiated a month long Environment Drive 2017 on the World Environment Day – 5th June 2017, jointly with GPCB, GIDC, NAA, VGEL, WWF and GIZ. Divyabhaskar and JMD News have also extended their support in this endeavour as Media Partner and Media Coverage Partner. This Samiksha Samaroh was organized to review the works done during this one month by the Association and its industries members. During this month 170 dumper load of Debris and Domestic Waste weighing over 2600 MT was lifted from the Industrial Areas of the Estate. With the support of the Industries Members total 49360 number of trees has been planted within the industries and in the open spaces of the estate. Free saplings were also distributed to the Industries Members and the Residents of the Estate to increase greenery in the estate. Wall painting with the theme on Environment was done to increase awareness. Several Seminars and Awareness programs on Environmental Topics were organized with the support of GPCB and GIZ. Blood Donation Camp was organized at Aarti Industries to mitigate the scarcity of the Blood in the district as part of this Environment Drive and 306 units of Blood was collected during the camp. The Samiksha Samaroh was held at 3:00 pm on 28th July 2017 at VIA Auditorium in the Presence of Shri C R Kharsan IAS, Hon'ble Collector of Valsad, Shri A G Patel, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman, Notfied Area Governing Board, Shri Anthony Baria, Unit Head - Vapi, Divya Bhaskar, Col (Retd) Ravinder Jain, CEO, Vapi Green Enviro Ltd., Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President, VIA, Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Secretary, VIA and many committee members and members of VIA and friends from Press & Media. the event was well attended by over 300 industries members

Better communication is a necessary ingredient for sustainable growth and telecommunication is the most effective medium for communication. We have joined hand with Avaya India Pvt. Ltd. for this event to make our members aware of latest techniques and technologies of telecommunication system to facilitate them for further growth by effectively communicating with global clients and business partners. The program was attended by Shri Chandrakant Pandya, Vice President, VIA, Shri Satish Patel, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Munna Shah, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Sachin Vij, Head of Marketing, SARC, Avaya India Pvt. Ltd., Shri Harsh Shah, Territory Manager (Western Region), Avaya India Pvt. Ltd., Shri Vishal Rane, System Engineer, Avaya India Pvt. Ltd. and all the other team members of Avaya and many committee members and members of VIA

A Seminar was organized on Indian Business & Biodiversity Initiatives jointly with GPCb & GIZ on 3rd July 2017 at the Conference Hall of Centre of Excellence, Vapi as part of the Environment Drive 2017

A meeting was held with Shri C R Kharsan IAS, Hon'ble Collector of Valsad on 1st July 2017 at VIA 1st Floor Conference Hall to discuss and find out solution for free flow of rainwater through Bilkhadi to avoid water logging in Vapi Industrial Estate

A Seminar on Air Pollution Control in Boiler & CEMS jointly with GPCB & GIZ on 30.6.2017 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall as part of the Environment Drive 2017

A Seminar was organized on Battery Rules jointly with GPCB & GIZ on 22nd June 2017 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall as part of the Environment Drive 2017

A Seminar on GST was organized jointly with Central Excise Department on 21st June 2017 at VIA Auditorium to create awareness on GST an its procedure. The program was well attended by over 1000 industries members.

The 3rd Vishwa Yog Divas was celebrated on 21st June 2017 jointly with GIDC, NAA and GPCB at the GIDC Office of Vapi by performing Yoga to maintain fitness

A Seminar on GST was organized jointly with Vapi Transport Association on 17.6.2017 at VIA Auditorium to create awareness on GST and its implications to the Industries & Trade Members of the Estate

A Seminar on Resource Efficiency & Cleaner Production was organized with the support of GPCB and GIZ on 16th June 2017 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall as part of the Environment Drive 2017

Members of Public Accounts Committee of Gujarat consisting of MLAs made a visit to Vapi Industrial Estate on 15th June 2017 to understand the issues and challenges faced by the Industries Members and residents of this estate.

A team of National Co-ordination Committee of MoEF&CC, Govt. of India made a visit to Vapi Industrial Estate on 6th June 2017

World Environment Day 5.6.2017 was celebrated in the presence of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri A G Patel, RO, GPCB, Vapi, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, Immd. Past President, VIA and many other Senior members and Past Presidents of VIA. The celebration started with the Free Sapling distribution to the residents of the estate followed by Tree Plantation at various sites of the estate. The one month long Environment Drive 2017 was also initiated on that day jointly with GPCB, GIDC, NAA, VGEL, WWF, GIZ and media partner Divya Bhaskar

The 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Vapi Industries Association (VIA) was held on 29th May 2017 and during the AGM the Installation of the New VIA President, Shri Hitendra Thakkar. Shri Hitendra Thakkar and his team took charge of VIA for the Term 2017 - 19

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has always remained proactive and organized numerous activities for the well being of the people of this estate and surrounding areas. As part of our CSR Activities we are regularly holding Blood Donation Camps, Health Check Up Camps and Eye Check Up Camps. We have also regularly supported and extended co-operation to the Health Department in successfully holding Polio Eradication Campaign. We are also celebrating health awareness events like Vishwa Yog Divas to spread awareness about ways and means to maintain good health. With rapid growth we are getting more exposed to physical and mental stress causing various diseases particularly cardiac diseases. Looking to this problem we have arranged this workshop on Preventive Cardiology on this World Health Day – 7th April 2017 at VIA Auditorium. The workshop was held in the presence of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA Pardi and Ms. Ananya Das IAS, Assistant Collector of Valsad, Smt. Sandraben Shroff, Chairman of Sandra Shroff ROFEL College of Nursing, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, the Committee Members and Members of VIA, Smt. Tshering Bhutia, Principal of Sandra Shroff ROFEL College of Nursing, Dr. S S Singh, Chief Physician & Medical Superintendent of Haria L G Rotary Hospital, Smt. Pritiben Mehta, President, Inner Wheels Club of Vapi, Shri Jatin Monani, President, Seva Bhavi, Shri Amit Mehta, Head of Meril Academy, Meril Life Science and Shri Harshit Shah, Director, S Kant Healthcare Ltd. the speakers of the workshop - Smt. Tanuja Makwana, Yog Pracharak, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, Dr. Ravish Rawal, Cardiologist & Electro Physiologist, Haria L G Rotary Hospital, Dr. Anant Agarwal, Consultant Physician, Millenium Clinic, Smt. Niru Patel, Head of the Department – Surgical Nursing, Sandra Shroff ROFEL College of Nursing and Dr. Ritesh A Gajjar, Instructor – Emergency Medicine Department, Civil Hospital, Surat. The workshop was well attended by the students and faculties of Nursing Schools and Colleges, Press & Media Members and many others.

In continuation to the efforts VIA has celebrated Safety Week starting from 4th March 2017 and exercised various activities to create awareness on Safety Measures and Techniques amongst the Industries Members and Residents of this estate. A Samiksha Samaroh was arranged at 12:00 Noon on 10th March 2017, Friday at Aarti Industries Ltd., GIDC, Vapi to review the activities done during the Safety Week Celebration 2017. the Samiksha Samaroh was held in the presence of Smt. Remya Mohan IAS, Collector of Valsad, Shri D C Choudhary, Director of Industrial Safety & Health, Government of Gujarat, Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, our co-partners of the Safety Week Celebration, Shri Jignesh Solanki, Editor, Divy Bhaskar, Vapi, Shri Kiritbhai Mehta, Director, Aarti Industries Ltd. & Shri Bhaveshbhai Mehta of Aarti Group. The program was well attended by the Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA, Employees from Member Units and Members of Press & Media

Vapi Industries Association jointly with Divyabhaskar and Seva Bhavi celebrated Women's Day by holding an Awareness Session on Self Defense Techniques for Women at 3:00 pm on 8.3.2017, Wednesday at VIA Ground with the support of DISH, Valsad, Aarti Industries Ltd., VECC & VGEL as part of the Safety Week celebration. The event was held in presence of Smt. Ananya Das IAS, Asst. Collector, Valsad, Shri Hemant Patel, Police Inspector, Vapi GIDC, Police Station, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Jatin Monani, President, Seva Bhavi. Karate Instructor - Shri Hardik Joshi and his students shown the techniques of self defense to all the present. The event was well attended by Ladies from various NGOs like Mahila Mandals and members of Seva Bhavi and press & media members. Smt. Das during her speech emphasised on the importance of women's safety and security and said the same should be practised on every day, not only on Women's Day. She also said that Women's Empowerment should be encouraged and male folks should also support initiatives for Women's Empowerment

Vapi Industrial Estate has experienced rapid industrialization and increase in population and due to it we have got more exposed to accidents and unwanted incidents. Vapi Industries Association has always taken proactive steps with the help of Department of Industrial Safety & Health and various organizations & NGOs to prevent ourselves from such unwanted situation and to create awareness amongst the Industries Members on various aspects like Industrial Safety, Domestic Safety, Road Safety, Environment Safety etc. to encourage them in generating sustainable growth. VIA is also organizing Post Graduate Diploma Course on Industrial Safety at VECC since last 20 years and trained over 345 students in 10 batches. On this National Safety Day a Motorcycle Rally has been organized to create awareness amongst the Industries Members and the Residents of the Estate about the need of safety and various ways and methods of safety to prevent accidents and unwanted incidents. The Inauguration Function of the Motorcycle Rally and Safety Week Celebration was held in presence of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Smt. Remya Mohan IAS, Collector, Valsad, Shri H M Kundalia, Dy. Superintendent of Police, Vapi, Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri Jignesh Solanki, Editor, Divyabhaskar, Vapi, Shri Anthony Baria, Unit – Head, Divyabhaskar, Vapi, Shri Kiritbhai Mehta, Director, Aarti Industries Ltd., Col (Retd) Ravinder Jain, CEO, VGEL, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA. The event was well attended by over 800 participants from Executive Committee Members & Members of VIA, School & College Students, Press & Media Members and Officers of various Govt. Departments. Over 500 employees from Industries also took part in the Motorcycle Rally and made the event a great success.

A Seminar was arranged on Analysis of Finance Bill (Budget) with Respect to Direct Taxes on 18th February 2017 jointly with Vapi Chapter of WIRC of ICAI. The renowned Chartered Accountant Shri Vimal Punmiya from Mumbai explained various aspects and relevance of Budget on Direct Taxes during his presentation. The Seminar was attended by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Hemant Pant, Chairman, Bank & Financial Institutions Committee, VIA, Shri Nirav Jani, Chairman, IT Committee, VIA, Smt. Chhaya Kothari, Chairperson, Shir Jignesh Vasani, Founder Member of Vapi Chapter of WIRC of ICAI and many Industries Members and Members of ICAI

A Workshop was arranged on Promoting Market Transformation for Energy Efficiency in Indian MSMEs for Vapi Dyes & Chemical Cluster on 15th February 2017 jointly with The Energy & Resource Institute (TERI) to make the Industries Members aware about the scopes of cutting down cost by improving energy efficiency. Presentation on Energy Efficiency was given by Mr. Pawan Tiwari of TERI, Mr. Debojit Das of UNIDO and others. The Workshop was held in presence of Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Chairman, Environment Committee, VIA and many other Industries Members

A Workshop on Special Package for Apparels / Garments & Made Up Segments was organized jointly with Regional Office of Textiles Commissioner, Ahmedabad to make the Industries Members aware about various schemes and incentive offered by various Government Authorities to Textile Industries. The event was held in presence Shri S R Dhanwadkar, from the office of the Textile Commissioner and many other officers from the department. The workshop was attended by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman, Textile Committee, Shri Hasmukh Shah, Jt. Chairman, Textile Committee and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA

Vapi Industrial Estate does over 12,000 Crores of Export every year and many of our member Industries are attached with various export promotion councils like CHEMEXCIL, PHARMEXCIL, EEPC etc. VIA regularly organizes various seminars and awareness sessions on Exports Policies, Incentive Schemes, Subsidies for exporters, we are also regularly holding awareness sessions on Export Consignment and Payment Protection Insurance schemes with ECGC. We have also held couple of seminars with DGFT in the past to make our Industries Members aware on Export Policies and Free Trade Agreement policies with various countries. Likewise a Seminar on Foreign Trade Policy & Free Trade Agreement on 21.2.2017. The Seminar was well attended and held in the presence of Shri Sambhaji Chavan, Dy. Director, DGFT, Surat, Shri Biswas of ECGC, Surat, Shri Rajat Srivastava, Regional Director (Western Region), EEPC India, Shri Rohinton Engineer, Working Committee Members of EEPC India and our co-partner of this event. Shri Rohinton Engineer is also a member of our Association since long, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman, Import / Export Committee, VIA and many others

Vapi Industrial Estate has got thousands of crores rupees worth exports and CHEMEXCIL has always joined hand with VIA to encourage and made the Industries Members aware about various policies and incentives schemes offered for exporters. This has resulted into steady growth of Exports Turnover in the Estate. To enlighten the Industries Members a Seminar on Impact of Budget on Exports was organized jointly with CHEMEXCIL on 8th February 2017 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. For the promotion CAPINDIA 2017 a Road Show for CAPINDIA 2017 was also held coinciding with the seminar. The program was well attended by Shri S G Bharadi, Executive Director, CHEMEXCIL, Shri Vijay Shankar Pandey, Under Secretary, EP (CAP), Ministry of Commerce & INdustry, Govt. of India,Shri Sudhakar Kasture, Director, Exim Institute, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman - Import Export Committee, VIA and other Committee Members and Member of VIA and friends from Press & Media

68th Republic Day was celebrated at VIA Ground on 26th January 2017 as done every year. Office Bearers, Committee Member & Members of VIA, Senior Citizens, Fire Fighting Staffs, School Students and many others took part in the celebration and remained present during the Flag Hoisting

In the last few years the Industries, the Association and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd., the environment management company of the estate has put tremendous efforts and made sizeable investment to maintain the ecological balance and improve the environment of the estate and surrounding areas. In this effort we bless to always get guidance and support from various State and Central Government Minister and Senior Officers. With the support of such ministers and senior officers and collective efforts of the Industries Members, GPCB, GIDC, NAA and VGEL, Vapi has come out of Critically Polluted Area and the Moratorium has been lifted from Vapi Industrial Estate. A felicitation program has been arranged for Hon’ble Minister of State for Environment, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri Shankarbhai Choudhary & Shri Hardikbhai Shah IAS, Director (Environment) & Addl. Secretary, Govt. of Gujarat & Member Secretary, GPCB on 28.12.2016 at VIA Auditorium for their guidance and support to to take Vapi out of Critically Polluted Area and to discuss about the future expansion plans of the Industries and the estate post lifting of moratorium. The program was attended by Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Directors of Vapi Geen Enviro Ltd. (VGEL), Past Presidents, Advisory Board Members, Committee Members & Members of VIA and the Press & Media Members.

In the last few decades Vapi Industrial Estate has experienced astronomical growth with rapid industrialization. With the growth of the industries we invariably get exposed to higher risk of accidents which needs to be eliminated by taking meticulous safety measures to support sustainable growth. To make our industries members aware about safety measures we are holding State Govt. approved Post Graduate Diploma Course on Industrial Safety at our Vapi Emergency Control Centre. We are also regularly organizing various training courses and awareness sessions on Safety & Health Hazard for the industries members and safety personnel. The conference is an initiative to make the industries members aware about the importance of Industrial Safety and Occupational Health. The conference was attended by Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Sunil Joshi IPS, Superintendent of Police, Valsad, Shri D C Chaudhary, Director of Industrial Safety & Health, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri G D Solanki, Jt. Director, Industrial Safety & Health, Surat Region, Surat, Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri M A Bhootaka, President & Shri S G Patel Vice President of Safety Education & Research Foundation and the Co-Partner of the conference, the Office Bearers, Committee Members and Members of VIA.

Vapi being one of the biggest chemical cluster, environment and ecology has always remained a challenge for the Industries and the Association. In the last few years the Industries, the Association and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd., the environment management company of the estate has put tremendous efforts and made sizeable investment to maintain the ecological balance and improve the environment of the estate and surrounding areas. We have also organized various seminars, workshops, awareness programs to enhance the knowledge and skill of our industries members and their employees. The Seminar was attended by Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri T B Shah, Vigilance Officer, GPCB, Surat, Shri A G Patel, Regional Officer, GPCB, Vapi and other officers of GPCB, Office Bearers, Committee Members and Members of VIA. Eminent speaker Dr. Bharat Jain, Member Secretary, Gujarat Cleaner Production Centre, Shri Parthasarathy Ramanujam gave valued presentation and information about latest technologies and techniques for environment friendly production and process to maintain ecological balance for sustainable growth.

As per the decision by of Govt. of India, procurement of at least 20% of materials and services by PSUs has to be from MSMEs. And MSMEs interested to supply such materials or services to such PSUs has to register themselves with those PSUs. With the support of Ministry of MSME, VIA has organized a Vendor Development Program for MSMEs at 10:00 am on 22nd December 2016 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall to facilitate the Industries Members of this estate and surrounding areas. The event was held in presence of Shri B N Sudhakar, Director of MSME-DI, Ahmedabad, Shri K H Shah, Dy. Director, MSME-DI, Ahmedabad, Shri P N Solanki, Asst. Director, MSME-Di, Ahmedabad and Office Bearers and Committee Members and members of VIA. Eminent speaker from renowned PSUs like – Shri Krishnachand, Manager (Contract), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd., Kakrapar, Shri Praveen Kumar Shram, Deputy Chief Engineer, Western Railways, Mumabai, Shri S Basu, Business Marketing, GAIL, Shri Arvind Sardana, Dy. General Manager, ONGC, Surat, Shri Paritosh Diwasali, Manager (P), CIPET, Ahmedabad, Shri Rajendra Mehra, Sr. Manager (Material), IOCL, Vadodara, Shri V Selvaraj, Manager (Marketing), IGTR, Ahmedabad, Shri Harikesh Meena, FCI, Ahmedabad gave their presentation and explained the process of Vendor Development.

Vapi Industries Association organizes Industrial Exhibition in every two years with the motto to give an opportunity to the local industries to showcase their products and technologies to the National and International Business Visitors and buyers. It also gives the opportunity to know about the latest products and process showcased by the exhibitors from various regions of the country. This time the Industrial Exhibition – Vibrant VIA Expo 2016 was held from 21st to 24th December 2016 at VIA Ground. The Vibrant VIA Expo 2016 was inaugurated by the worthy hands of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani on 21st December 2016 in the presence of Dr. K C Patel, MP, Valsad, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri Bharatbhai Patel, MLA, Valsad, Shri Jitubhai Tandel, President, Valsad Jilla Panchayat, Smt. Tinaben Halpati, President, Vapi Nagarpalika, Shri Rajjubhai Shroff, CMD, UPL & Founder President of VIA, Office Bearers, Advisory Board Members, Committee Members and Members of VIA.

Banking is one of the most important tools for sustainable for any Industries or Trade Members and ICICI Bank being the largest private sector bank renders invaluable banking and financial services to the Industries & Trade Members of this Estate. Now ICICI Bank has introduced a B2B E-Commerce Portal especially for the Chemical Industries and this Seminar is to make people aware of this Portal so that they may reap further benefit of this unique facility offered by ICICI Bank. The present members were greatly benefitted from this seminar. The seminar was held in presence of Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA and other committee members and members of VIA and Shri Ashish Saxena, Asst, General Manager, Payments Solutions, ICICI Bank Ltd., Smt. Monika Jain, Senior Manager, ICIC I Bank Ltd., Mumbai, Shri Ishan Sharma, Manager, ICIC Bank Ltd., Mumbai, Shri Issac Tudu, Branch Manager (Commercial), ICICI Bank Ltd., Surat, Shri Sumant Agarwal, Managing Director, K K Chempro Pvt. Ltd.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) as part of its CSR Activity, is regularly organizing Blood Donation Camps to mitigate the shortfall of Blood Units in the local blood banks and to provide blood for the needy patients. Likewise a Blood Donation Camp was organized on 20th October 2016 jointly with Pidilite Industries Ltd. With the support of Smt. Puriben Popat Lakha Lions Blood Bank and Rotary Haira Nukem Blood Bank total 223 units of Blood Units were collected from the Donors from the Member Industries. Coinciding with the Blood Donation Camp a Felicitation Program was also arranged for Shri N K Parekh, Vice Chairman, Pidilite Industries Ltd. for the Most Promising Company in the Manufacturing Sector Award received by Pidilite Industries Ltd. from the Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice and Information Technology, Govt. of India Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad. The event was held in presence of by Shri Yogesh Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Hitendra J Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Ketan Thakkar, Chairman , Blood Donationa Camp Committee, VIA, Shri Hasmukh Patel, Shri Ketan Joshi Jt. Chairmen, Blood Donation Camp Committee, many other Committee Members of VIA. The program was well attended by over 300 industries members.

GST is likely to be introduced by April, 2017 and all the Sale Tax Payers will have to compulsorily enroll online for GST. To create awareness for the same the awareness session for Online Enrollment in GST Portal was organized jointly with the Commercial Tax Department at 11:30 am on 11th November 2016 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The program was held in presence of Shri H D Ruparel, Jt. Commissioner (Appeal – Gujarat State), Commercial Tax, Ahmedabad, Shri K M Patel, Jt. Commissioner (Div. 8), Commercial Tax, Surat, Shri K D Desai, Jt. Commissioner (Div. 7), Commercial Tax, Surat, Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Ajaybhai Shah, Chairman, Sales Tax Committee, VIA. The program was well attended by committee members and members of VIA, Staff Members from local Sales Tax Office and Sales Tax Practitioners.

Vapi Industries Association and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. with the support of its Industries Members have taken numerous initiatives for the betterment of the Environment by controlling pollution. Vapi being one of the largest Chemical Estate take the pride to state that it has got one of the best performing CETP of the country. This has only become possible by continuous up-gradation of Environment Management Systems and by regularly conducting awareness and skill up-gradation programs. There are many industries members present here who are using solvents and controlling the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) is a challenge to them. Keeping it in mind an One Day Workshop was organized on 16th November 2016 at the Conference Hall of Centre of Excellence with the support of IIT, Kanpur and Aarti Industries Ltd. The workshop was held in presence of Dr. H Kharkwal from Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Govt. of India, Shri B R Naidu from CPCB, Vadodara, Shri V R Ghadge, Senior Environment Engineer, GPCB, Gandhinagar, Dr. Mukesh Sharma, Professor of IIT, Kanpur, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi and Shri Kiritbhai Mehta, Director, Aarti Industries Ltd. who is also a Director of VGEL and Past President of VIA, Prof. Arvind Nema, IIT, Delhi, Prof. A B Gupta, MNIT, Jaipur, Prof Mohammad Rafat, Jamia Milia Islamia, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Ecotech, Greater Noida, Shri Navin Patel, Clean Enviro Projects, Vapi, the Regional Officers and staff members from various GPCB Offices. The program was well attended by over 175 industries members of the estate.

Vapi Industries Association organizes an Interactive Trade Meet jointly with Adani Hazira Port Pvt. Ltd. at 4:00 pm on 19th October 2016, Wednesday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. The program is organized with a purpose to make the industries members aware about the facilities for transportation through port is available at Hazira and the service provided for the same by Adani Hazira Port Pvt. Ltd. which are comparatively convenient then Nahva Seva Port. You are cordially invited to attend the same and get the benefit of it.

Vapi Industrial Estate is a developed Industrial Estate with almost all the modern amenities and Infrastructure. A Smashanbhumi (Crematorium) was missing in the estate. It was therefore earlier decided to establish a Smashanbhumi at Vapi GIDC Estate. Muktidham Charitable Trust, Vapi was formed with senior members of Vapi Industries Association for Establishment of a Smashanbhumi at Vapi GIDC Estate. GIDC also allotted a land at the bank of Damanganga River for the said Smashanbhumi. The Khat Muharat (Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony) was done at 9:30 am on 13th October 2016 at the Smashabhumi Site by the worthy hands of Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA – Pardi & President of BJP, Valsad District, Shri Digvijaysinh Parmar, GM, Grade 1, GIDC, Vapi, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, President, VIA and Shri L N Garg, Chairman – Muktidham Project, VIA. The Khat Muharat was done in presence of Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Milan R Desai, Chairman – PR Committee, VIA, Shri A K Patel, Chief Officer, NAA, Vapi and many senior industrialists and members of VIA and officers of GIDC & NAA.

A Mega Camp for Divyangs has been arranged on 16th and 17th October 2016 at VIA Auditorium with the support of the District Administration of Valsad and Bharat Muk Badhir Mitra Mandal. Coinciding with the camp VIA has also organized a Job Fair for Divyang on 16th October 2016 at VIA Auditorium jointly with the Employment Department of Valsad and District Industries Centre of Valsad. The Job Fair was well supported by the Industries Members of VIA who took part in the Job Fair. 47 Industries Members took part in the Job Fair and out of 245 Divyang Candidates 95 candidates was confirmed job in these companies. Another 16 candidates were shortlisted during the Job Fair and likely to get confirmation within few days. The function was attended by Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Hemang Naik, Chairman – HRD Committee, VIA, Shri Ravindra Purohit, Jt. Chairman – HRD Committee, VIA, Shri Lalit Kothari, Chaiman – Import / Export Committee, VIA and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA, Smt. Remya Mohan IAS, Hon’ble Collector of Valsad, Shri Gaurang Makwana IAS, DDO, Valsad, Smt. Ananya Das IAS, Asst. Collector, Valsad, Shri H N Mevada, Dy. Commissioner, DIC, Valsad, Shri V P Machhare, Prant Officer, Pardi, Shri R C Patel, Mamlatdar, Vapi, Shri Hardikbhai Shah, President, Vapi Nagar Palika, Shri Gaffurbhai Bilakhiya, Senior Industrialist and Socialist, Shri Darra Pardiwala, Welspun Group. The program was also attended by many Govt. Officers from various departments. Over 1100 Divyang took part in the camp.

Smt. D Thara IAS, VC&MD, GIDC made a visit to Vapi Industrial Estate on 15th October 2016, Saturday. A meeting was arranged with her and the Industries Members at VIA at 11:00 am on that day. The meeting was held in the presence of Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Kirit Mehta, Director, VGEL, Shri Milan R Desai, Chairman – PR Committee, VIA, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri Shirish B Desai, President, Sarigam Industries Association, Shri Digvijaysinh Parmar, GM, Grade – 1, GIDC, Shri H R Parmar, Superintending Engineer, GIDC, Surat, Shri A K Patel, Chief Officer, Notified Area Authority, Vapi. The program was well attended by the executive committee members and members of VIA and officers of GIDC and Notified Area Authority. During the meeting discussion has been made on major policy related issues of GIDC and NAA and Smt. D Thara IAS, VC&MD, GIDC has given her valuable guidance on these issues. Assurance has also been received for early solution on certain issues which were affecting the sustainable growth of the estate. Smt. Thara madam has also made a visit to Prem Kumar Patil Garden, R K Desai College and the Centre of Excellence of Vapi on that day.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) with the Support of Dr. Praveen Saxena, M.S. (Ortho), Director of Spine Clinic, Apollo Hospital, Ahmedabad held a seminar on Prevention of Back Pain and Osteoporosis at 3:30 pm on 14th October 2016 at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall. During this Seminar Dr. Praveen Saxena given important information about the reasons for Back Pain and the Methods for it's prevention. The program was attended by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA and Friends from Press and Media.

Shri Mansukhbhai Mandaviya, Hon'ble Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Govt. of India made a visit to Vapi Industrial Estate to interact with the Industries Members of the Estate on 10th October 2016. The meeting was well attended by over 350 executive committee members, industries members of VIA, Press & Media friends at VIA Auditorium in presence of Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Kirit Mehta, Director, VGEL, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Director, VGEL, Shri S S Sarna, Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Dr. K C Patel, MP, Valsad, Shri B C Chudasama, Resident Addl. Collector of Valsad

TRAINING PROGRAM ON ENERGY MANAGEMENT AT 2:30 PM ON 30.9.16 AT VIA 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE HALL Saving of Energy is saving of money and a useful contribution for improvement of Environment. Considering the importance of optimizing the use of energy and using alternative energy at Industries, VIA has organized a Training Program on Energy Management jointly with CII and GEDA to increase the efficiency of the Industries Members to optimize the use of Energy at their units. Mr. Nilay Shah, Engineer, CII gave presentation to the participants on the Policy for installing Roof Top Solar Energy unit after that eminent speakers from Atlas Copco, Bajaj Electrical, Thermax India, Shell Lubricant and E-View Global gave presentation on Energy Efficient Machines & Techniques and Alternative Energy systems. The Training Program was attended by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Bhavin Shah, Jt. Chairman, Seminar Committee of VIA and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA.

ENVIRONMENT CLINIC ON RECYCLING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE AT 11:00 AM ON 30.9.16 AT VIA 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE HALL Friends GPCB and VIA is taking continuous initiatives to help the industries to improve their process to reduce the waste generation and to improve the quality of the treated waste. Several Environment Clinics were arranged earlier for various industries sectors for the same. With the support of Recycling Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (RSPL) GPCB and VIA has arranged an Environment Clinic to make the Industries Members aware about the solutions to recycle the solid, semi solid and liquid generated at the industrial units and convert it into solid or liquid alternative fuel. The Environment Clinic was held in the presence of Shri T B Shah, Vigilance Officer, GPCB, Surat, Shri A G Patel, RO, GPCB, Vapi, Shri G V Patel, RO, GPCB, Sarigam and the officers from GPCB, Shri Fahim Sopariwala, Vice President of Recycling Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (RSPL), Surat, Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri Mahesh Pandya, Director, VGEL, Shri Chetan Patel, Director, VGEL, Shri Shirish Desai, President, Sarigam Industries Association. The clinic was well attended by over 115 industries members from Vapi, Sarigam, Pardi and Valsad. This clinic will surely help all the industries members in improving the environment of the estate and surrounding areas to generate further sustainable growth in the coming days.

SEMINAR ON PROCESS SAFETY AT 11:00 AM ON 23.9.16 AT CoE, VAPI Vapi Industrial Estate is experiencing continuous industrial growth. Our industries members are reaching new heights in terms of products, production, turnovers and market capitalization. Many of our members have grown from small scale units to Large Corporate Houses with multiple units in this estate and in other areas. With this rapid growth the infrastructure and manpower has also grown in many folds. Adequate safety and security arrangements need to be made for them to safeguard sustainable growth. A seminar on Process Safety was organized at 11:00 am on 23rd September 2016 at the Conference Hall of Centre of Excellence, GIDC, Vapi jointly with Director of Industrial Safety & Health and Aarti Industries Ltd. with an aim to explain safety laps which occurs during various process at industrial units and the ways and means eliminate such fallouts to maintain safety at the industrial units. Eminent speakers – Shri Vijay Chandratre, VP – Process Safety, Aarti Industries Ltd., Shri Shri Shyam Dhekekar, Asst. VP – Safety & Technical, Aarti Industries Ltd. gave presentation on Process Safety techniques. The Hon’ble Collector of Valsad Smt. Remya Mohan IAS, Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi, Shri D C Choudhary, Director of Industrial Safety & Health, Gujarat, Shri D K Vasava, Dy. Director, DISH, Valsad, Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Parthivbhai Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Kiritbhai Mehta, Director, Aarti Industries Ltd. and Shri Kiritbhai Shastri, Aarti Industries Ltd. was present during the seminar. The program was well attended by executive committee members & members of VIA and safety personnel from the industries.

SEMINAR ON 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY AT 4:00 PM ON 20.9.16 AT VIA 2ND FLR CONFERENCE HALL 3D Printing is gaining popularity and started being used extensively by many industries and professionals like automotive, Jewelry, Healthcare and Architects. Vapi Industries Association has always taken initiatives to introduce new technologies and concepts to its Industries & Trade Members. A first of its kind seminar was held at 4:00 pm on 20th September 2016, Tuesday at VIA 2nd Floor Conference Hall on 3D Printing Technology in this region to make the Industries & Trade Members aware about the utility and benefit of 3D Printing in industries & trade. The seminar was jointly organized with 3 Idea Technology LLP of Mumbai. The Chief Operating Officer of 3 Idea Technology Shri Bibhu Ranjan Mahapatra delivered an introductory speech on 3D Printing Technology and his colleague Shri Nishant Singh, Reasearch Officer and Manager Shri Tarun Vohra gave presentation and live demo on the utilization of 3D Printing Technology in the Industries & Trade. The Seminar was attended by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Nirav Jani, Chairman – IT Committee, VIA, Shri Kaushal Pandya, Jt. Chairman – IT Committee, VIA, Shri Bhavin Shah, Jt. Chairman – Seminar Committee, VIA and many other Executive Committee Members and Members of VIA.

Vapi Industries Association is organizing a seminar jointly with Director of Industrial Safety & Health (DISH) & Aarti Industries Ltd. at 11:00 am on 23rd September 2016 at Centre of Excellence, GIDC, Vapi. The seminar will be graced by the Hon’ble Collector of Valsad, Smt. Remya Mohan IAS and Shri D C Chaudhary, Director of Industrial Safety & Health, Gujarat. You are cordially invited to remain present in the seminar to get to know more about Industrial Safety & Health.

Vapi Industries Association (VIA) has celebrated World Ozone Day on 16th September 2016 at VIA jointly with Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL). The celebration program was attended by Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Hitendrabhai Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthivbhai Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA and Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A G Patel, RO, GPCB, Vapi and his team and Col (Retd) Ravinder Jain, CEO, VGEL and Industries Members. Shri Yogeshbhai and Shri A G Patel explained the importance of maintaining the Ozone Layer in the atmosphere. Shri Prakash Bhadra, Jt. Chairman – Environment Committee, VIA conducted a quiz on Environment with the present members. Thereafter Tree Plantation was done at the VIA Ground by the present members.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi will be visiting the Bikalang mela at Navsari on 17th September 2016. The Blind Cricketers of Valsad District Cricket Association will be taking part in Bikalang Mela on that day. As part of the CSR Activity VIA and Shri A K Shah, trustee of L G Haria Multipurpose School handed over Blazer Suit Kit to the Blind Cricketers team of Valsad on 16th September 2016 at VIA Office. Shri Yogeshbhai Kabaria, President, VIA, Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Vice President, VIA, Shri Parthivbhai Mehta, Hon. Secretary, VIA, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, VIA, Shri Maganbhai Savalia, Jt. Secretary, VIA, Shri A K Shah, Past President, VIA, Shri Kirit Shastri, Chairman – PF Committee, VIA and Shri Suresh Patel, Chairman – Technical Committee, VIA was present during the occasion.

SAMIKSHA SAMAROHA OF ENVIRONMENT DRIVE 2016 @ 10:00 AM AT VIA AUDITORIUM IN PRESENCE OF SHRI MANGUBHAI PATEL, HON. MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT & FOREST. GoG

SEMINAR ON WEIGHTS & MEASURES (METROLOGY) BY SHRI VINODCHANDRA VYAS OF MUMBAI @ 3:00 PM AT VIA 2ND FLOOR HALL

ORGANIZED THREE DAYS (4,5, & 6 JULY 2016 )TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ETP OPERATORS & SUPERVISORS OF INDUSTRIES JOINTLY WITH GPCB @ 10:00 AM AT CoE, GIDC, VAPI

ONE DAY WORKSHOP FOR ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT WITH GIZ, GIDC, NAA, GPCB & VGEL @ 11:00 AM AT VIA 1ST FLOOR HALL

ORGANIZED FREE HEALTH CHECKUP CAMP JOINTLY WITH LIONS CLUB OF VAPI NICE @ 10:00 AM AT VIA AUDITORIUM

OPEN HOUSE OF GPCB @ 11:00 AM AT VIA 2ND FLOOR HALL

SEMINAR ON ZERO LIQUID DISCHARGE SYSTEM JOINTLY WITH ION EXCHANGE LTD. @ 4:00 PM AT VIA 2ND FLOOR HALL

TRAINING PROGRAM ON FIRST AID JOINTLY HELD WITH DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY & HEALTH (DISH), GUJARAT STATE @ 10:00 AM AT CoE, GIDC, VAPI

INTERACTIVE SESSION JOINTLY WITH INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT ON "INCOME DISCLOSURE SCHEME" @ 12:00 PM AT 2ND FLOOR HALL

INTER SCHOOL DRAWING COMPETITION AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENT DRIVE @ 10:00 AM AT VIA AUDITORIUM

SEMINAR ON INSTRUMENTATION AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR SUCCESS IN EXPORT JOINTLY WITH ASMECHEM @ 9:30 AM AT CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

VISHWA YOG DIVAS CELEBRATION FUNCTION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY VIA WITH GIDC & NAA @ 7:00 AM AT GIDC OFFICE

VIA and Indian Bank jointly organised MSME Meet at VIA 2nd floor conference hall on 16.06.2016 at 3:30pm. Shri Hitendra - Vice President, Shri Parthiv Mehta - Hon. Secretary, Shri Magan Savalia - Jt Secretary, Shri Hemant Pant - Chairman Banking Committee, Shri Gautam Shah, Shri Ketan Shah, VIA Committee members were present in the program. Shri Azad Singh - GM & Zonal Manager, Shri Prakash Chandratre - AGM, Shri Anup Kumar - Branch Manager Vapi, and Staff members of Indian Bank were also present. A presentation was shown especially for packaging industries and loan procedure, availing loan at low interest rates for MSME industries was explained. In the meet a loan disbursement was made to a plastic packaging industry. This meet was very beneficial for industry members who wish to avail loan or want to expand their industry and 80 people took advantage.

Dear All, It is our pleasure to inform you that we will be celebrating World Environment Day on 05th June 2016, Sunday like every year and Environment Drive for one month beginning this day in association with various stakeholders GPCB, GIDC, NAA, Vapi Green Enviro Ltd. (VGEL) & Lions Club of Vapi Nice and is supported by GIZ, Seva Bhavi and various NGOs of the estate. As a part of this celebration of one month Environment Drive we have organized an event called “STREETS for ALL” inaugurated by Smt. Remya Mohan IAS, Hon’ble Collector & DM Valsad District and Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA Pardi from 07:00 AM to 10:00AM on 5th June 2016, Sunday at Gunjan Residential Area from Ramu’s Sandwich Corner to Raymond Circle followed by Tree Plantation at various places of Vapi GIDC estate. We welcome you to witness and participate with family and friends for the first time event in Vapi.

A Career Guidance Seminar was organized on 21st May 2016 at 8:30pm at VIA Auditorium jointly with 14 renowned NGOs & institutions of Vapi. VIA Office Bearers Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President in Charge; Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec; Shri Milan Desai, Chairman of R K Desai College, Shri Shirish Desai, President, Sarigam Industries Association, Shri Kapilswami, VIA Committee members, President and Representatives of NGOs, press & media people were present in the seminar. Around 500 people including students and parents took advantage of the seminar. The Seminar started with Diya lightening by Shri Hitendra Thakkar, Shri Parthiv Mehta, Shri Milan Desai, Shri Shirish Desai, Shri Kapilswami, and President of NGOs. Shri Hitendra Thakkar welcomed everybody and the President of NGOs was greeted with bouquet. Shri Dipesh Shah, Speaker & career counselor showed presentation to the students & parents about various options available after 10th & 12th std and also answered their questions.

GPCB Open House was organized at VIA 2nd Flr Conf Hall on 19.05.2016 at 11:00am. VIA Office Bearers - Shri Hitendra Thakkar, President in Charge; Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec; Shri Magan Savalia, Jt Sec; and also Shri Kirit Mehta, Chairman, Environment Committee; Other Committee members, GPCB RO Shri A G Patel & Shri T B Shah were present. Around 80 industry members attended the Open House.

A seminar on Lignite project consumer meet was jointly organized with Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) on 17.05.2016 at 4:00PM. Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec, VIA; Shri Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Notified Area Committee; Shri Vijay Madnaik, Head of Paper Mill Association, committee members and around 20 industry members attended the seminar. Shri Parthiv Mehta welcomed Shri R K Dash, General Manager, Rajpardi Project, and team members of GMDC present in the seminar. Presentation was shown Consumer Perspective on Rajpardi Project and Tadkeshwar Project Links http://www.viavapi.org/news_file/172.pdf http://www.viavapi.org/news_file/173.pdf

A motivational seminar on “Happy ane Stress free Life na Funda” was jointly organized with Divya Bhaskar Knowledge series at VIA 2nd Floor conference hall on 16th May 2016 on 04:00PM wherein Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec – VIA; Shri Magan Savalia, Jt. Sec – VIA; Shri Bhavin Shah, Jt. Chairman, Seminar Committee; Shri Satish G Patel; committee members and around 60 people were present in the seminar including industry members and other audience. The guest Shri Alap Gandhi, State Head – Divya Bhaskar & the motivational speaker Shri Yogendra Singh Rathore were welcomed with bouquet. Shri Yogendra Singh Rathore explained that by implementing few simple things can make vast difference and make people happy and stress free.

Environment Clinic Program was organized by VIA and GPCB on 13.05.2016 at 03:00pm at VIA 2nd Floor Conf Hall wherein GPCB RO Shri A G Patel , VIA Office Bearers Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec, Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer, Shri Magan Savalia, Jt Sec, Shri Kirit Mehta, Shri Kamlesh Patel, Shri Kirit Shastri, Shri Chandubhai Pandya, committee members and 120 various industry members were present. Environment Clinic was organized for topic “Important & Technical Aspects of Pre – Process for Co – Processing” for which presentation was made by Shri Priyesh Bhatti, CEO, RSPL Surat and ways to control pollution were discussed.

A session on Health Awareness was organized on 06.05.2016 @ 04:00 pm at VIA 2nd floor Conference Hall jointly with Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai. Shri Parthiv Mehta Hon. Sec, VIA; Shri Lalit Arora, Treasurer; Shri Bhavin Shah, Jt. Chairman, Seminar and Awareness Project; Committee members, and around 40 industry members participated in the programme. Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec, VIA, welcomed the guest & speakers Dr Sujit Chatterjee – Chief Executive, Dr Rahul Modi, Dr Anil Venkitachalam, Dr Prakash Chandra Shetty, Dr Vikas Jain - CEO Arogyam Super Specialty Medical Centre & VIA Member. Presentation was shown on various topics by the doctors of Hiranandani Hospital. The seminar concluded with vote of thanks by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Sec, VIA followed by High Tea

90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated in Ahmedabad on 20th April 2016. This is for the first time that the birthday was celebrated in Ahmedabad. Celebrations were organized by British Deputy High Commission . The British Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat, Mr. Geoff Wain, said that one of its key priorities in Gujarat is to increase bilateral trade and investment in areas like energy, education, health, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. This event was attended by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Sec VIA Shri Lalit Kothari, Chairman - Textile Committee, VIA Dr. K C Patel, MP, Valsad Shri Kanubhai Desai, MLA, Pardi

Shahid Capt. Premkumar Patil Garden Dedication Ceremony 25.4.2016

A Safety Professional meet on the occasion of National Fire Prevention Day was organized jointly by VIA, DISH-Valsad and Naik & Associates, Surat at 10:00am on 14-Apr-2016. Shri Yogesh Kabaria President, VIA; Shri Parthiv Mehta Hon. Sec, VIA; Shri Prakash Bhadra Chariman VECC; Shri D K Patel, Asst Director, Safety & Health Valsad and Shri N K Patel were present in the meeting. All the guests we welcomes with bouquets. The Speaker Shri Yagnesh Naik, Naik & Associates Surat gave presentation and speech on past 3 years 50 incidents which happened in industries near vapi. It was a very good & interactive session wherein approx 75 safety officers / staff / industry members participated. It was a 3 hour session which concluded at 1:00pm with vote of thanks by Shri Prakash Bhadra and then followed by lunch.

An awareness program on Generic Medicines was organized jointly by VIA and Unimark Remedies on 13.04.2016 at 03:00pm at VIA 2nd floor conference hall. This program was initiative under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). After opening address by Shr Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Sec, VIA, Shri Yogesh Kabaria, President, VIA welcomed Shri Mehul Parekh, MD, Shri Chandubhai Gadhecha, GM, Operations, Shri Deepak Dhumal, VP, Corporate and Shri Mahesh Kaval, Director, Marketing from Unimark Remedies and greeted them all with bouquets. After floral welcome the officials from Unimark Remedies showed presentation about the company and the initiative of generic medicines which will also be distributed at a very less price OTC (over the counter). Unimark Remedies will also approach industries so that many people especially workers can get the benefits. The session concluded with vote of thanks by Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon. Sec, VIA followed by High Tea.

A live demonstration of web portal was jointly organized on 12th April 2016 at 11:00am by VIA and Employment Exchange Valsad. Shri Parthiv Mehta, Hon Sec, VIA welcomed Shri D B Gandhi – Inspector, Labour & Employment Department, Valsad and the various industry members present in the conference hall. This was the first live demonstration of Webportal in Gujarat state by Employment department Valsad. It was displayed online that how to fill up the Employer & Job Seeker details and also showed how to do ER1 and ER2 return filings. Later on the participants had an interactive session with Shri Gandhi saheb and reloved their queires.