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OEWA has come a long way since it first started in 1996 at Croydon, London. Not only has it provided food and shelter to the elderly Oshwals, but is also offering support for any health issues, entertainment, planning trips and advice for housing accommodation, disability, etc. Starting with only six members the membership has increased leaps and bounds. Overcoming many hurdles like lack of place, money, and volunteers ,the OEWA has come a long way. This is due to selfless efforts like many social workers such as Satishbhai Shah. For a more detailed article published in the London-based “Gujarat Samachar”, see the link below:

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On behalf of the Halari Visa Oshwals of America (HVOA), the Executive Committee is requesting donations for three places in India. A summary of funds required and purpose for each place is detailed below. Donors can select any one, two or all three places for their donations. Each need is unique and different from each other. Donations will be beneficial to all Oshwals. We request everyone to donate generously towards their selection/choice. Our association is a registered non-profit organization and therefore donations are tax-deductible.

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Purvi and Neil Sanghvi are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Anya Sanghvi. Anya was born April 2008 and weighed 7lbs. and 8oz. Purvi, Neil, and Anya currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia, but will be relocating to New York City this summer. Purvi is the daughter of Dinesh and Varsha Shah of St. Louis, MO.

Rahul Motichand Dodhia of Thika, Kenya, and Annette de Soto of Seattle, WA, were married on February 3, 2008 in Thika. It was a tense time in Kenya, right after the post-election unrest. But several brave souls from outside Kenya flew in for the wedding. The wedding was a very happy celebration and afforded a welcome transition back to a feeling of normalcy.

Veer (age7) and Ammee (age6) have had a wonderful time in the USA with their mum (Trushna Divyen Gala) and dad (Divyen Keshavji Tejpar Gala of Jogwad) over the last three years. They will take back some happy memories to London; especially of all the kindness shown by the Jain Center of Greater St Louis. These happy memories will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

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Congratulations to Neemit and Pinki Shah, on the birth of their baby boy, Aaryan, in December 2007. Grandparents are Mukesh & Vibha Shah of Connecticut; Great grand parents are Harilal & Kasturben Shah.

Neerali Shah (daughter of Mukesh and Vibha Shah of Connecticut) was engaged to Christopher Bernard in September 2007. Congratulations!

Let us all pray for everyone in Nairobi, for a peacefully resolution, after the riots of post elections. We pray for all the innocent people who are suffering and dying due to the riots, burning of their homes and business. May God bring a peaceful solutions to all in Kenya soon.

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The annual gathering during Thanksgiving weekend was a great success with over 60 people attending. It took place at Caldwell College, in New Jersey. There were people from babies to older adults having fun and socializing. The entire program was sponsored by a family anonymously. But we had charged people $10 per person just to cover the cost of mailing newsletters, etc.

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Our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Punita Shah and Mehul Udani of Plano, Texas, on the birth of their darling baby boy, Veer Udani. He was born in December 2007, and weighed 6lbs-8ozs. Our heartiest congratulations also to proud big brother Shivam, to grandparents Kanchanben and Harakhchand Devraj Shah of U.K., and Sudhaben and the late Kantilal Ravikant Udani of Maryland. Welcome to the world, Veer!

A Diwali dinner was celebrated on Saturday evening, Nov 3rd, 2007 at Pasand Indian Restaurant in Irving, TX.

About 40-45 guests were present. We started the gathering with children’s craft which was sponsored by Avnish/Sangita Shah and Rashmi/Sandhya Shah. The craft was a coloring activity, which almost looked like a Rangoli. This was followed by Arti, Mangal Divo and Navkar Mantra recital. Then all the members enjoyed Gughara, Mathia and Punjabi Dinner. Later, in the childrens’ presentation, we had a variety ranging from importance of Diwali, Bhajans, Hello’s in different languages and a surprise fashion show. Then, the dance floor was open for garba and dances. Read the rest of this entry »

The executive board for 2008-2009 will consist of the following:

• Keshav Laxman Shah of Chestnut Ridge, NY - President
• Paullomi Shashikant Shah of Waldham, MA - Vice President
• Jay Velji Bid of NYC, NY - Treasurer
• Tushar Vinod Shah of NYC, NY -Assistant Treasurer
• Rashmi Kalpesh shah of Hillsdale, NJ - Secretary
• Smita Deepak Shah of Lemont, IL - Joint Secretary

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As many of us are aware and have used our beloved Mahajan wadi at various locations wherever Halari Visha Oshwals are settled. Bangalore is one city that has experienced explosive growth in recent years, and with the city’s growth so has the Halari population in Bangalore. For many years the Halari population in Bangalore was limited, however with explosive growth of Bangalore and Halaris in Bangalore and surrounding areas, Halari Visa Oshwal samaj of Bangalore has planned to build a Mahajan wadi with facilities similar to other cities, next to Halari dehrasar in Basheshwara nagar, central to Halari population there.
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Congratulations to Sohini Shah (Daughter of Sudhirbhai and Jyotsnaben Shah of Santa Clara, California) and Sean Stone (Son of Dave and Diane Stone of Nashua, New Hampshire) on their wedding on August 18th, 2007. Read the rest of this entry »

As many of you may be aware, we as Halari Visa Oshwals have been involved in JAINA for several years and we have significant impact every time we are involved. I have seen it from JAINA at Chicago to Canada to Philadelphia to Edison. We have been involved at several different levels.

To re-cap our involvement in JAINA at Edison: Read the rest of this entry »