[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 93 (Monday, June 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNITION OF MR. YASHVANT PATEL AND MATRI, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to laud the accomplishments of 
Mr. Yashvant Patel, and the organization he created, Matri, Inc. Mr. 
Patel and Matri, Inc. have created a unique and important forum where 
Gujarati youth can uphold their traditional values while searching for 
a life partner using more modern methods. This forum has been the 
starting ground for many happy couples, and has provided a much-needed 
service to America's young Gujarati people.
  Mr. Patel founded Matri, Inc. in 1995 with a specific vision of a 
forum where Gujarati youths could uphold their traditional values while 
searching for a life partner. The first Matri was hosted by Anand 
Pragati Mandal in Kearny, NJ, and it had less than 100 attendees. In 
the last nine years the event has grown drastically and become a 
professional non-profit organization, providing annual conventions with 
over 300 participants.
  Matri serves an important role in the unique Gujarati youth culture. 
Although it is a matrimonial forum, it does not force ideas of marriage 
but instead encourages networking and meeting with people who share 
similar ideas and principles, who may become lifelong friends or even 
marriage partners in the future. It is their belief that similarities 
in dharma, poshaak and khorak (religion, dress and food) are necessary 
to create a successful marriage. Matri allows Gujarati parents to 
fulfill their duty to pave the way for their children and give them a 
prosperous and happy life by honoring Gujarati traditions.
  Matri is actually the Sanskrit term for friendship, which is a key 
element in any successful marriage. Since the participants are allowed 
to meet without the pressure of parents, the event gives them the 
opportunity to meet other people and develop relationships. Matri 
estimates that approximately 15 percent of all participants meet with 
success each year.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Patel and 
his organization for the fine and important work they have done over 
the past eight years. His organization is doing an enormously important 
service to an important group of our nation's citizens, and we thank 
him for it.

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