Gujaratstartups, VADODARA: The best brains of UK and India will soon come together on a common platform in the city to strengthen ties between the two countries in a variety of fields, including education, arts, trade and commerce. This first of its kind initiative is being planned by Association of British Scholars (ABS). And, it has received support from UK's newly appointed deputy high commissioner in Mumbai Peter Beckingham.

"We can work on developing significant ties through this week-long event in Vadodara," said Beckingham, who was on a three-day visit in the city told TOI, adding that the event is likely to be named "British-Baroda Friendship Week".

During his visit, Beckingham also toured Unesco-declared World Heritage Site of Pavagadh-Champaner and Tejgadh tribal academy run by city-based NGO Bhasha on Saturday before leaving for art centre at Jaspur on Sunday. "We are trying to make an impact on activities to send out a message that Vadodara, which is a dynamic culture centre of Gujarat and is known for its fine arts across the country, is very important to us," Beckingham told TOI after holding a meeting with members of ABS on Saturday.

"We want to bring best of India and UK together be it in the field of design, food, fashion, business, arts or other such disciplines. For this mega event, which will be tentatively held in January, we will also organise a fundraiser in Mumbai in September where major industrialists will be invited," president emeritus of ABS and city's well-known architect Karan Grover added.

The British deputy envoy added that he will also send a group of personnel from the high commission to the city to hold meetings with companies in and around Vadodara to strengthen commercial links. Beckingham stressed that Britain has huge interest in Gujarat as nearly 40 per cent of Indians settled in UK are from the state. "With M S University being an English speaking university, education collaborations can also be explored," he said.

Source: Times of India