The “ Sardar Patel University Alumni Convention 2005”and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 130th Birth Anniversary Celebrations alongwith Sardar Patel University Golden Jubilee (1955-2005)celebrations, were held on Saturday October 29, 2005, at Royal Albert Palace in Fords, New Jersey. The convention was well attended by alumni and several prominent people. Convention was well organized and was a grand success.

The event started with the registration of all alumni. A group of young and enthusiastic volunteers gave their support by handling the responsibility cheerfully and with great ease. The Alumni were handed with a package of a new souvenir and “Sheel Shrutam“.During the first session of the convention, alumni witnessed the official opening of “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Photo Exhibition” –a collection of more than one hundred and fifty rare and historic photographs of the great freedom fighter of India. This collection is a great effort of Mukesh Kashivala, a well-known photographer and videographer of Edison, New Jersey.

The Alumni session was divided into three faculties, namely, the first with Arts, Commerce, Business etc.; the second with Sciences, Allied Health, Medical, Pharmacy etc., and the third with Engineering, Technology, Computers etc. All respective alumni, the professors and other teaching staff were jubilant and very interactive. Lots of comments, suggestions, experiences, and challenges were freely exchanged. The attendants were served with refreshment and light snacks and were given an opportunity to network amongst their fellow classmates and the professors present there. TV Asia, USA, provided coverage of the convention. They also interviewed several participants by recording their sentiments and feelings about the event and SPU back home.

The general session included the briefs by the moderators of the first alumni session and the video presentation of Sardar Patel University. Rajendra Patel, in his eloquent speech, touched the accomplishments of Sardar Patel. He then led all alumni to to garland the statue of Sardar Patel. Last but not the least the great grand gala dinner was served which was very well attended. Delicious dinner brought back memories of their days in Vallabh Vidyanagar. “Ne Sardar Bole Chey”, a humorous play was well received. Entertainment was provided by the “Kalpesh Patel Music Group”. The audience was spell bound during this entertainment.

Sardar Patel University Alumni, Inc, a non-profit organization, organized the convention. The efforts were well headed by C.Z. Patel, Anil Patel, Harshad Patel, Rajendra Patel, Manhar K. Patel and the dedicated Convention ‘2005 Team.

Sardar Patel University is located in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat India. It is named after the great Iron man of India and Bharat Ratna “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel”, the architect of modern India. Located in one of the most prosperous region “Charotar”, in Gujarat State, India, SPU has an enrollment of more than thirty thousand students. It has more than sixty five affiliated colleges and institutions, at four campuses, in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Karamsad and Boriavi. It has been recently recognized as one of the top ten Universities of India, which can be considered as a great honor for the University and its alumni.