Date: Sunday, July 19, 2009

Place: Haverstraw Bay Park, Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York

21 Gagan Road, Haverstraw, NY; Park is adjacent to Haverstraw Marina.

Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Cost: To be determined once head count is complete.

RSVP: We need head count ASAP – Please, call Keshav Shah at (845) 356-4097 or

Email to Keshav Shah [Email address: president #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ]

Menu: Breakfast and lunch will be served. There will be other snacks, corn, watermelon, etc. for munching.

Directions:

• Take Palisades Interstate Parkway North. This highway can be reached from New York State Thruway or New Jersey Turnpike.
• Take exit 13 towards Suffern/Haverstraw/US-202.
• Merge onto Thiells/Mt. Ivy Road.
• Turn left at the traffic light onto US-202.
• Turn left at Main Street / CR-33. US post office is on right side.
• Turn right at W Railroad Ave / CR 94.
• Railroad Ave. becomes Beach Road.
• Continue on Beach Road.
• Turn right onto Gagan Road / CR 109.
• Park is adjacent to Haverstraw Marina.

View Larger Map

Our heartiest congratulations to Shelan (son of Rajnikant & Ranjan Shah of Bolingbrook , Illinois) and Tripti (daughter of Rohini & Nirmala Sharma of Denver, Colorado) on June 20, 2009 at the Summit Banquet Halls, in Aurora (Denver), Colorado. The wedding celebrations started on Friday with Mandovo, followed by lunch. In the evening, there was the Mehndi, social gathering, and dinner. Family and friends came from Kenya, UK and all over the USA. On Saturday, the Barat-groom party arrived at the the Summit Banquet Halls with the traditional processions with the groom on a horse. The traditional Hindu wedding ceremony took place, presided by priest. A very delicious lunch followed. The grand reception began at 6 pm. The evening was beautiful with everyone celebrating until midnight, with the Groom and Bride Party united on the dance floor. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Congrats Shelan & Tripti!

Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Hansraj Lakhamshi Dodhia (fondly known as Kaka) who passed away in Ilford, Essex, U.K., on June 5, 2009, after a short illness. He was 81 years old and was born in Navagam (Halar), Gujarat, India.

He was father of Niru Mansukh Gosar Shah of Hanover, Maryland; grandfather (Nana) of Raju Mansukh Shah of Silver Spring, Maryland; and Meena Mansukh Shah of Oakland, California. He is survived by his wife, Gunvantiben, son and daughter-in-law: Shailesh and Alpa; daughters and son-in-laws: Niru and Mansukh (Manu), Manjula and Mahesh, Prafula (Bena) and Vipul, Hasmita (Hasu) and Hitesh; several grandchildren and great grandchild.

May god rest his soul in eternal peace.

Awards, honors: Salutatorian, National Merit Commended Scholar, Illnois State Scholar, AP Scholar, three-time All-State musician, nominated for IHSA All-State Academic Team, and Daily Herald Academic Team honorable mention.

Sonam will be attending University of Illinois at Chicago’s Guaranteed Professional Progam Admissions by the College of Medicine in Fall 2009.

Victorious Ones: Jain Images of Perfection at Rubin Museum of Art from 18th September 2009 to 15 February 2010 www.rmanyc.org, (press release)

He was husband to Late Jiviben Chhanganlal; father to Vanitaben Mohanlal Vradman (Leicester, UK), and Nalinbhai Chhanganlal (Nairobi, Kenya); son of Puriben Meghji Virji Chheda of Changa, India, currently residing in Nairobi, Kenya; son-in-law to Late Ratnaben & Late Murag Rajpal Sumaria (Changa, India).

He was father -in-law to Mohanlal Vardhamn (of Leicester ,UK) and Chandaben Nalin (of Nairobi, Kenya).  He was brother to Amratben Kachra Tejpar (of Swan Industries, Kisumu, Kenya), Chandulal Meghji (of UK), Late Devchand Meghji (of Haku Crafts, Nairobi, Kenya), Late Jayaben Velji (of Jamnagar, India), Premchand Meghji of (Cute Kitchen-Nairobi, Kenya), Gulabchand Meghji (of Kenplast, Nairobi, Kenya), and Lataben Bhimji (Bidco Industries of Nairobi/Thika, Kenya).

He was Grandfather of Mayuri and Jinit (of Leicester, UK), Sandip and Saroj (of Sanma Boutique, Nairobi, Kenya), Binisha and Kamlesh Kotedia (of Dubai), Bhavni and Vikesh of Nairobi, Kenya.

He was a Great Grandfather to Vishal, Vikesh, Akshay and Deven

His funeral is on Saturday, May 16th at 3.00pm at the Hindu Crematorium, Kariokor, Nairobi, Kenya.

Prayers will be held at the Oshwal Center, Nairobi, Kenya. May God grant him eternal peace, OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI.

We had a good turn out of about 50 people. All families participated in the potluck for appetizers, pizzas  and desserts. Jaybhai and Naynaben Shah of Sherman, Texas, were the sponsors for dinner which was very delicious: vegetable sandwiches and Kenyan style potates with kachri. Our new members, Bindesh and Minita Nagda, along with their family also joined us. They have recently moved from Kenya and were happy to meet all other families. The weather was beautiful and adults and kids were busy with volleyball, dodge ball, biking and walking. Being on a Saturday, it felt very relaxing.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

This was followed by a Diva decorating competition by the pathshala students. After which everyone danced away to the beat of garba music. Then everyone enjoyed delicious Jain Punjabi food which was totally in sync with the festivity. A round of Dandiya Ras concluded the enjoyable afternoon.

The glamour and the splendor of the party became a novelty for some, and an inspiration for others.

Oshwal Report – Spring 2009 (PDF)

Inside:

• Spring/Summer Picnics
• Fund Raising
• Community News

He married Kanchanben (daughter of Ramji Narshi Shah) and he has 3 children (Bhavesh, Prashant and Kashmira).

Maganbhai passed away on February 23, 2009 after a fruitful journey of 72 years.  Halari Visa Oshwal Community feels a tremendous lose on passing away of a dedicated leader. His name is hardly unknown amongst the Oshwal community throughout our settlements in India, East Africa, UK, America and everywhere.

By profession, Maganbhai was a successful engineer, industrialist and businessman. But apart from that he was a dedicated and hard working community leader and a humble servant in many religious and progressive institutions. He was actively involved in Oshwal Sikshan and Rahat  Sangh , Mumbai Oshwal Samaj, Bhiwandi Oshwal Samaj, Thana Oshwal Jain Sangh and many more.  He held several prominent and demanding positions such as President, Secretary, Trustee, etc.

Maganbhai also was a very religious and philanthropic person and he dedicated his entire life towards the betterment of the Oshwal community.  He emphasized on Education in general and he arranged several fund raisers for community institutions. He was also deeply involved in religious activities surrounding Maharaj Sahebs and derasars.

Maganbhai was an inspiration to many and an example of a life worth living.  May his soul rest in peace!

Introduction

Shri Keshavlalbhai the son of Shri Makanji Bhoja Dhara and Smt. Ratnabai, was born in NAVAGAM in India in 1926. He studied in Gujarati upto 4th standard and though he wanted to study more, due to the circumstances he had to go to Kenya in 1937 at the age of 11 years. He had to return to India after about two years due to the prolonged illness of his father,who died in 1941. During this period Shri Keshubhai looked after his father and also assumed total responsibility for his family, including his mother. He is a kind hearted person and has a very helpful nature, and hence he took care of his father most religiously without any regrets.

Shri Keshubhai had to leave Navagam for Bombay, to earn a decent living, as he had to support his mother and-family. He had small brothers and sisters, and there were no proper means of income in absence of his father, yet, he did not lose heart and on the contrary made up his mind to do hard work and earn money. As Navagam was a very small place, the opportunities were very less, hence he decided to try his luck at a much bigger and well established business centre like Bombay and started earning.

He married Kumari Radiyat, daughter of Shri Khimji Karamshi Pethod of Kajurda, India, in 1944. She is from a respectable family and is very religious and simple in nature. Keshavlalbhai has got a very strong support and companionship in his life from his wife.

At the end of 1945 Shri Keshubhai went again to Kenya, for better prospects, and joined his uncle Shri Devchand Bhoja in business at Kerugoya (KENYA).He set up a business in 1949′at Baricho (KENYA), but had to wind up the same a few years later in 1951 due the MAD MAD agitation there, which forced many flourishing businesses to close down at that time. He moved on to Forthall (KENYA) and established two shops with his younger brother Shri Premchandbhai, and also invited his other younger brothers Shri Jivrajbhai and Shri Veljibhai from India and jointly set up a new business at River Road Nairobi, KENYA, under the title of ‘RAMESH EMPORIUM’. His grandfather Shri Bhoja Dhara expired at Forthall in 1954, and this gave a moral setback to Shri Keshubhai as he lost the strong support and guidance of his grandfather, who had helped him very much after the death of his father. However, after the death of his grandfather, he received excellent guidance from his uncle Shri Narsi Bhoja, and prospered in his business byshifting it to a more lucrative place called Mombasa in 1963, However due to the political circumstances he was forced to wind up his business in Mombasa and emigrate to England in 1975 for permanent settlement. Shri Keshavlalbhai has put in a lot of efforts and has also contributed financially in preparing the FAMILY TREE and I congratulate him for the same.

The family tree has been compiled with great efforts and difficulty as he was staying very far away from his motherland. A lot of hard work and dedication has been put into this book by Keshavlalbhai, in the hope that it will be of interest and benefit future generations.

I feel it is necessary for every Oshwal family to keep this book in their library as a reference and rememberance of our forefathers, for the future generations of Oshwals.

- JIVRAJ MAKANJI SHAH

download here: Glimpses of Heritage [PDF, 2.2MB]

(Beloved brother of Dhani & Anu Shah)

• Born in Kitale, Kenya
• Social activities started in Kitale from 1953-1954 being elected as Honorable Secretary of Visa Oshwal Community (VOC)
• Moved to Eldoret, Kenya in 1957 and started a business called Gulab’s Ltd.
• Became a trustee of VOC Eldoret
• Became the Honorable Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce in Eldoret
• Since 1958 he was the Executive member for the establishment of 64 Secondary School in Eldoret.  Later becoming the Chairman and Trustee of the school board.
• Trustee of Sikh Union Club, Eldoret
• In 1962, he became a Chartered Member of Lions Club of Eldoret and Melvin Jones fellow of Lions International.  That year he had also been awarded a Lifetime Membership in recognition of outstanding services to the community as a Lion.
• Past Chairman Board Member of U.G. High School in Eldoret
• Board member of Moi Girls High School in Eldoret
• Trustee of Eldoret Hindu Smashan Bhumi
• From 1982-2000, he was a board member of U.G. Memorial Hospital Eldoret
• Trustee of Jalaram Aradhana Dham in Nakuru
• Past Executive board member of Oshwal Education & Relief Board
• Trustee of Oshwal World Federation
• Chairman and Trustee of Gulab-Lochab Academy – Primary and Secondary school in Eldoret
• Established and laid foundation stone of Lions Nursery School in Eldoret, which has now become a Primary and Secondary school.
• Commercial interests have always been bold and ambitious.  He was a director of Ken-Knit (K) Ltd. & Rupa Mills Ltd.
• Under Zaverchand Mulji parivar, not only was he involved in different charities, but he also gave donations to the Visa Oshwal Community in Kenya, India, & the U.K.

Well, we have been able to use this technology to build a complete dome that used to take years, in less than 4 months. Yes, I am talking about the dome in the Jain temple in Atlanta.

Shirishbhai Gandhi met me in Los Angeles. He decided he liked what we were doing. These are real, authentic replicas of Delwara temples. We never met again. Everything was done via Internet and cell phones. The complete temple dome was made and installed in 4 months. With credit to the expertise of Shirishbhai’s installation team, everything fitted exactly. We did not have to go to Atlanta. Order your Dome on “EBAY”!!

Our Halari Visa Oshwals get-together and meeting will be on the afternoon of Saturday, July 4th, for two hours. The official program will include location (hotel and room number) and time. We can also have an informal gathering on Thursday night. Please let us know if you are planning to attend the convention so that we can advise the organizers about the size of the room we will need. You can RSVP to convention@ oshwal-usa.org [Email address: convention #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ] if you have registered for the convention or are planning on registering.

After their Honeymoon in British Virgin Islands, they have settled in Walnut Creek, California. Selina is practicing Sports Medicine. Michael is a JD and project manager.