CM Bhajanlal Expands Rajasthan Foundation to 51 Global Chapters
Synopsis
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced 11 new Rajasthan Foundation chapters at Jaipur on 17 October 2026, expanding the diaspora network to 51 chapters across 25 domestic and 26 international locations, and invited non-resident Rajasthanis to a conference on 10 December.
Key Takeaways
11 new chapters announced for the Rajasthan Foundation, taking the total from 40 to 51 .
6 domestic chapters added in Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri, Panaji, and Visakhapatnam.
5 international chapters added: San Francisco, Zurich, Milan, Dublin, and a Nordic Chapter (Stockholm) covering Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
Overseas chapters ( 26 ) will for the first time outnumber domestic chapters ( 25 ).
Coffee-table book 'Vikas ke Sahbhagi' was released at the event.
Non-resident Rajasthanis invited to the Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan on 10 December 2026 .
Eleven new chapters, four continents, and one clear signal: Rajasthan is betting big on its diaspora. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma convened a dialogue with non-resident Rajasthanis at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, on Saturday, 17 October 2026, and announced the single largest expansion of the Rajasthan Foundation in recent memory.
From 40 to 51: The Chapters That Now Span Four Continents
The announcement adds 11 new chapters to the Foundation's network, pushing the total count from 40 to 51. Six of the new chapters are domestic — in Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri, Panaji, and Visakhapatnam — deepening ties with large Rajasthani communities settled across non-western Indian cities. The other five go international: San Francisco (USA), Zurich (Switzerland), Milan (Italy), and Dublin (Ireland) each receive a dedicated chapter, while Stockholm will anchor a single Nordic Chapter covering Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
When the expansion is complete, 25 chapters will operate within India and 26 chapters abroad — making the overseas network, for the first time, larger than the domestic one. That arithmetic alone underscores how far Rajasthani emigration has spread.
What the Rajasthan Foundation Actually Does
Established by the state government to maintain living links with the Rajasthani diaspora, the Foundation channels remittances, investment interest, and cultural engagement back toward the home state. Its chapter-based model — where local presidents and representatives serve as on-the-ground nodes — mirrors approaches taken by several other Indian states with large overseas populations. The chapter heads and delegates present at Rajasthan International Centre on Saturday engaged directly with the Chief Minister, making the event as much a working consultation as a ceremonial launch.
Sharma also unveiled a coffee-table book titled 'Vikas ke Sahbhagi' ('Partners in Progress') at the event, documenting diaspora contributions to the state's development journey.
Mark the Calendar: 10 December Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan
The Chief Minister formally invited non-resident Rajasthanis to the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan, scheduled for 10 December 2026. These periodic diaspora conventions have historically served as platforms for announcing investment commitments, policy sops for NRRs, and cultural recognition. With 51 chapters now in the network, the December gathering is set to be the most geographically representative yet — and a natural stage for the next wave of announcements.
Point of View
Geographically distributed engagement. By pushing overseas chapters past domestic ones for the first time, the Bhajanlal Sharma government is signalling that NRR investment and cultural capital are now central to its development arithmetic, not peripheral. The Nordic Chapter model — one hub serving four Scandinavian countries — also suggests a more efficient, region-aggregating architecture that other Indian states have rarely attempted. Whether the December Sammelan converts expanded network size into measurable investment commitments will be the real test of this institutional ambition.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters does the Rajasthan Foundation now have?
After the 17 October 2026 announcement, the Rajasthan Foundation will have 51 chapters in total — 25 within India and 26 abroad, up from a previous total of 40.
Which new international cities are getting Rajasthan Foundation chapters?
The new international chapters are in San Francisco (USA), Zurich (Switzerland), Milan (Italy), Dublin (Ireland) , and a Nordic Chapter based in Stockholm covering Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
What is the Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan and when is it in 2026?
The Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan is a periodic convention of non-resident Rajasthanis organised by the state government. The next edition is scheduled for 10 December 2026 .
What is the Rajasthan Foundation?
The Rajasthan Foundation is a state government body set up to maintain ties with the Rajasthani diaspora, facilitating their participation in the state's development through a network of domestic and international chapters.
Which domestic cities are getting new Rajasthan Foundation chapters?
The six new domestic chapters are in Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri, Panaji , and Visakhapatnam .
