Oshwal-USA.org

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, the June 21 and 28 picnics were canceled, and so the Tri-state area summer picnic is rescheduled for Sunday, July 19 2009, at Haverstraw Bay Park, in Haverstraw, New York. Timing and details are below. Sorry for the inconvenience and we hope you can make it.

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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.

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Chiraag (son of Jayanti and Vijya Galaiya, Long Valley, NJ) graduated with flying colors on 19th June 2009 with many awards and honors. Chiraag will be attending Princeton University, Princeton, NJ in Fall.

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. Read the rest of this story»

Sonam Dodhia (daughter of Pragna & Navin Dodhia) of Aurora, Illinois graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in May 2009.

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.

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Peaceful Conquerers: Jain Manuscript Paintings at Metropolitan Museum of Art from 10 Sept 2009 to 21 March 2010 www.metmuseum.org

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Mr. Chhaganlal Meghji Virji Chheda passed away in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 14th, 2009. He was 93 years old. He had very peaceful life in Kenya for over 75 years. He was my wife, Smita’s, motabapa, and with whom she shared wonderful memories, when she went to Kenya to celebrate his 90th birthday in 2007. Read the rest of this story»

Texas-Oklahoma Oshwal samaj organized a spring picnic on April 25th, 2009, at Russell Creek Park in Plano, Texas.

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.

As you all know that multicultural events are celebrated everywhere to bridge the gap between different cultures.  Such an event was celebrated in Meadowbrook Elementary School, Hillsdale, NJ.  I have been representing India past three years. Being offended and insulted after watching the movie Slumdog Millionaire, being a true Mumbaite and also as a tribute to my Mumbai, India. I took upon me to represent India the correct way and to remind everyone that India is the birthplace of Gautum Budhha, Mahavir and Mahatma Gandhi.  My daughter Chandni performed the classical Bharatnatyam dance, too. As usual being the show stopper India made its way into NJN Public Television. (The first year India made its way into the local newspaper and now it is the Television). The show will broadcast on TV on September 14 and 19 and October 19 and 24, 2009.

A Diwali party was organized on October 26th 2008 at Caldwell Pathshala, NJ. All the pathshala members were invited using the Evites resulting in more than 95% attendance. The dress code was Indian traditional only, where the best dressed person would be awarded. The entrance of the hall was decorated with colorful rangolis, divas, torans, etc. The inside of the halls was decorated as spectecular as the outside with a beautiful frame of Parshwanath Swami highlighted with exotic lamps. The appetizers started with chocolate fondue, a fruit punch fountain, home made fafda, etc. The afternoon started with the recital of Namokar Mantra. Followed by a game of “Diwalingo” a Diwali Bingo. After which the Bollywood stars Jitendra and SriDevi visited the Diwali party, dancing away to their hit song “Ta Thaya” of the movie, “Himmatwala”, which was the highlight of the whole event.

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A Newsletter by Halari Visa Oshwals of America, Spring 2009.

Oshwal Report – Spring 2009 (PDF)

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Maganbhai was born on February 14, 1937 in Sodasala (Gujarat).  After completing his engineering studies from Morbi (Gujarat), he moved to Mumbai to work for companies such as Century Rayon and IDI.  He then decided to set up his own business in 1968.  Over the last 45 years, he expanded his business to include several enterprises in the fields of Engineering. Read the rest of this story»

This is a book on this Oshwal history compiled by Keshavlal M. Shah of the U.K.,  available for download here: Glimpses of Heritage [PDF, 2.2MB]

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. Read the rest of this story»

(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.

Atish Haria, son of Anil & Aruna Haria of Austin, Texas, graduated with first degree in Bio Medical Engineering from University of Oklahoma & the second degree MBA (Master of Business Administration) in finance from University of San Diego.