When Manan Patel returned to Jacksonville in 2016 from studying abroad in New Zealand, he wanted to connect with others who shared his ethnic heritage. However, though he’d grown up here, he found it challenging to do so.
“I did not know what was going on within the Indian community,” he said. “The only way to keep up was to sign up for a bunch of newsletters from different organizations.”
He realized that what was needed was some sort of central bulletin board, a place where people could go to learn about events and activities specifically of interest to the local Indian community.
So, four years ago, Patel started a private Facebook group called “Indians in Jacksonville and St. Johns.” It began as a kind of hobby, a place to connect with friends, but soon became something more.
“Friends started adding their friends, and it blew up,” Patel said.
The group has seen a growth rate of 2-3% per month. It’s got about 5,900 members, about 4,800 of which are highly engaged, active participants. Here, people can discuss topics that are important to them, seek out assistance, sell items or promote services.
One of the strengths of the group is members who share information. Members can find Indian physicians, look up Realtors, see what sort of fun things are going on locally.
“I don’t have the answers – I’m just the facilitator – but I allow people to discuss anything,” Patel said. “It could be movies to culture to fun things around. We even have some meet-ups.”
Members can read about St. Johns and Duval counties, where Indian people like to live, even about visa applications and traveling to India. Indian-owned businesses have found they can reach the community through the group.
The Hindu temple and other Indian organizations provide a lot of information, as well.
Newcomers may especially benefit from joining the group.
“Let’s say there is an Indian family moving to Jacksonville or St. Johns,” Patel said. “They don’t know what’s going on here. They don’t know what the Indian community looks like. And it’s natural that they want to stay in touch with the Indian community. To get to know them. To get familiarized with the culture.”
When he’s not working on the Facebook group, Patel is busy with several other pursuits.
His family has had a Larry’s Giant Subs franchise in Ponte Vedra for about 30 years. And Patel can often be found there.
“I’ve been working here since as far back as I can remember,” he said. “Maybe since fifth grade. I started out doing some simple jobs. Now, I help my parents run the business.”
A graduate of UNF, Patel majored in biology and was pre-med, but life took him in another direction. With an interest in finance, he wrote a book called “Investing for Beginners” and is assembling an online presence in the field and “developing his brand.”
Those who are interested in joining Patel’s Indian community on Facebook will find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/indiansinjacksonvilleandstjohns/.
