Our annual Thanksgiving Gathering will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2008. All Oshwals are invited to attend the event. Mark your calendar, plan your trip and join us at our extended Oshwal family gathering to renew our contacts. As always, local families will provide accommodations for people traveling from a distance. Let us know in advance for accommodation.  Event details are as follows:

Location: Caldwell College, Student Center, 9 Ryerson Ave. Caldwell, NJ (Directions and maps)

Time: 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Cost: $18 per person for Adults and Children above 13 yrs old.

$10 per child for children 6 to 12 yrs old.

Free for children 5 yrs old and under.

We are looking for entire or partial event sponsors. If anyone is interested, please contact one of the board members (contact information is under Executive Board). We also need head count ASAP - so please, send email at president [Email address: president #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ] or call any committee members.

If anybody would like to present or perform an item, please let us know in advance. We need to coordinate all activities.

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.

Halari Visa Oshwal Boarding and Kanya Chhatralay, Jamnagar, Gujarat:

Our Halari Visa Oshwal Education and Relief Board (India) owns and manages several facilities. There are two facilities: Boarding for boys and Kanya Chhatralay for girls, in Jamnagar. They provide housing, lodging and some educational assistance (like college dormitories). Students are in 5^th grade to 12^th grade and some in college. These boys and girls come from the areas where no education facility is available. Over the years, many Oshwal students have benefited from these facilities.

These facilities have no computers or any Information Technology for students’ study or homework. There is limited access to computers in their school, mostly for higher grade students. Recently, our president, Keshav Shah, visited our Boarding for boys. He toured the facility and talked to several students and staff members. He confirmed with students that they have no computers for use in both facilities. Most of these students can not afford to buy computers for their use and they are not allowed to have personal electronics in their room by governing rules.

Each facility will need at least four sets of computers, furniture and accessories. It will provide our young students much needed access to Information Technology in the Global World. This work will need approximately Rs. 4,00,000 ($10,000) and can be completed in few months.

Oswal Yatrik Grah, Palitana, Gujarat:

Palitana is one of the most visited Jain religious places in India. Palitana is beautiful and all Jain Temples are on scenic hills. Most Oshwals visit Palitana due to its proximity to our homeland, Halar. It was always a problem for staying overnight in Palitana until Oshwal Yatrik Grah opened. It is managed by Oshwal Trustees. The Yatrik Grah was built about 34 years ago, and several facilities, such as dining room, breakfast room, Dehrasar, and Upashray, have been added since then. It has 68 rooms with attached bathroom and nine dormitories. There is a need to renovate bathrooms and to paint rooms, halls and corridors with plastic paint and doors and windows with oil paint. Somchand Pethraj Gosarani, the managing trustee, has sent an appeal to Oshwals through out the world asking for donations to renovate several facilities. Recently, Satish and Surya Shah (Texas) and Dr. Champa and Velji Bid (New Jersey) separately visited Palitana. They enjoyed their stay at Oswal Yatrik Grah and had noticed a need for renovation of the facility.

The total cost is estimated at Rs. 75,00,000 ($200,000). Trustees have decided that those who donate Rs. 11,00,000 ($28,000), Rs. 5,00,000 ($12,500) or Rs. 2.5,00,000 ($6,500) have their names displayed on 2 feet by 1 1/2 feet granite plaques in the waiting room. Takhti will have our association name along with person/family who donates over $1,000. This will give the recognition to our association.

Halari Visa Oshwals Mahajanwadi in Bangalore

Halari Visa Oshwals of Bangalore are planning to build a Mahajanwadi. Bangalore has experienced an explosive growth in recent years and with its growth, the Halari population has also increased in Bangalore and surrounding areas. We all are aware and have used our beloved Mahajanwadis at various

locations wherever Halari Visa Oshwals are settled. Halari Visa Oshwal Samaj of Bangalore wants to build a Mahajanwadi with facilities similar to other cities. It will be built next to Halari dehrasar in Basheshwaranagar which is central to Halari population there.

Two local families of Bangalore have pledged Rs. 25 lakhs each and they have raised some additional funds there. Bangalore is one the most visited tourist places of south and having a Mahajanwadi will be a plus for our community.

Donors can select any one, two or all three places for their donations. Please, donate as soon as possible but no later than October 1, 2008. Check shall be made to The Halari Visa Oshwals of America and mail it to Jay Bid, Treasurer, 3 Yale Court, Livingston, NJ 07039

If anyone has questions or need more information on donation requests, please, contact President: Keshav Shah [Email address: president #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ]- (845) 356 4097; Vice President: Paulomi Shah [Email address: vicepresident #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ]- (978) 424-1203; Treasurer: Jay Bid [Email address: treasurer #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ] - (973) 632-4800; Secretary: Rashmi Shah [Email address: secretary #AT# oshwal-usa.org - replace #AT# with @ ] - (201) 722-5759 or any other members of the Executive Committee.

Jai Jinendra

Executive Committee – 2008-2009

Fundraising letter for three projects (PDF)

A Newsletter by Halari Visa Oshwals of America, Fall 2008.

Oshwal Report - Fall 2008 (PDF)

Inside:

• Thanksgiving Gathering
• Fund Raising
• Community News

We are proudly inviting you to participate in JITO (Jain International Trade Organization) will be held at Ahmedabad (India) in January, 2009. We are waiting to welcome you. Your presence & participation will give success to this Exhibition.

Please check the attached file (below) for details about JITO.

Best Regards,
Kanti Haria
Chairman & Managing Director Haria Exports Ltd.
Direct: +91 22 40973033
E mail: kanti [Email address: kanti #AT# hariagroup.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Congratulations to Kush and Pooja Shah of Memphis, Tennessee, on the recent birth of their son, Sohum.   Proud grandparents are Sanjay and Asmita Shah of Columbia, South Carolina.

Our heartiest congratulations to Sudhaben and Chandulal Popatlal Keshavji of Irving, Texas for celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on November 8, 2008. We wish them a long healthy life.

Congratulations to Monisha Shah (daughter of Ramesh & Madula Shah of Waterloo, Iowa, paternal granddaughter of Mr. Premchand Bharmal Shah & Mrs. Jaya Shah, of Plano, TX and maternal granddaughter of Nemchand Punja Maru and Vijyaben of Mumbai) and Deepak Marwah (son of Ashok & Shashi Marwah of Pittsburgh, PA) on their wedding on October 18, 2008 in Chicago, IL. Family and friends from all over the United States, as well as from India, Kenya and Australia, came to celebrate in the wedding festivities. We wish the couple all the best and happiness in their married life..

Oshwal society of TX/OK would like to invite everyone to join us for our annual Diwali Celebration on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Please, join us to enjoy a get-together, Arti, dinner and children’s presentation. RSVP at oshwal_tx_ok [Email address: oshwal_tx_ok #AT# yahoo.com - replace #AT# with @ ].

Venue: Ruchi Palace Indian Restaurant in Carrollton TX.  (Near intersection of Midway and Trinity Mills.)

(Map and directions)

Time: 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Entertainment / Activities: During the party, we all will have lots of fun as our children have enthusiastically planned some activities for our entertainment.

There will be musical instrument and dance recital, singing, and games. On behalf of Oshwal TX /OK branch, we have planned a community can-food drive for North Texas food bank.

Jain Society of Tampa Bay will be hosting guests for Pratishtha Mahotsav from November 27-30 (Thanksgiving weekend)

Please log on to http://www.jainsociety.tampabay.org for details and registration.

Please contact Veni Shah at 813-431-7701 for additional information.

The Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) arranged a grand Pratishtha Mahotsav from September 26 through October 6, 2008 to commemorate opening of a new Religious Complex in the city of Buena Park.  Several Oshwal families living in the Los Angeles area actively participated in the celebration.  Nina Aashit Shah of Carlsbad, Reena and Milan Shah of Aliso Viejo, Seema and Sujit Shah of Aliso Viejo, and Shilpa and Nitin Shah of Temple City were part of a large group of volunteers who helped in several activities to make this a memorable occasion..  Sajan, Riya and Anika (children of Seema and Sujit Shah) and Shivani (daughter of Shilpa and Nitin Shah) took part in cultural programs which were very entertaining. Riya had also the honor of lighting a Diva to commemorate the beginning of Pratishtha Mahotsav.  Sushilaben Girishbhai Shah of Yorba Linda wrote, directed and produced an enlightening one act play titled “Jambu Swami’s Vairagya”.  Her commentary and acting by members of the Swadhya Group including Girishbhai and their two sons - Bickey and Moulick, was truly commendable.

JCSC was established in 1979. At present, there are about 1,000 Jain families in the Los Angeles area.  JCSC has embarked upon a very ambitious development program. The first phase consisting of a 62,000 square feet of Cultural Complex was started in 2002 and completed in 2005.  The second phase consists of a 13,000 square foot Religious Complex which houses the new Derasar and the Ardhana Hall.  The dome and ceiling in the Derasar were designed and fabricated by Nipul Gulabchand Shah of San Diego, CA.  He started fabrication in his house with the help of his wife, Renuka, and son Amar.  This project was made using a special mix of light weight materials. One has to see the dome and the ceiling to really appreciate his art work.  In 2005, he designed and fabricated a Gabaro for the temporary Derasar in the Cultural Complex when the new Derasar was being constructed.  He is presently working on the art work for a new Derasar being built in Atlanta. If you want to know more about the JCSC, please visit the following web site:   www.jaincenter.net/newsite/.  To see photos of the celebration, click on ‘photo gallery’ and to see videos of several programs click on ‘audio/video’ on the left.  Some photos are also posted on our website: www.oshwal-usa.org

Four more Derasars are under construction in the USA and their Pratishtha Mahotsavs are scheduled as follows:

• Atlanta, GA - November 16 thru 24, 2008
• Tampa, FL - November 27 thru 30, 2008
• Phoenix, AZ - December 20 thru 26, 2008
• Chicago, IL - June 20, 2009.

The next bi-annual JAINA Convention will be held in Los Angeles during the July 4th weekend in 2009.

Raju (Son of Manu and Niru Shah of Maryland) and Monica (Daughter of Praful and Pratima Shah of Michigan) are proud to announce the birth of their baby boy Jainam born on October 2008. The healthy baby boy was 20.75″ and 7lb 15.3 oz at birth.

Makaben (Radiatben) Raishi Mepa Shah passed away on August 10, 2008 in Nairobi, Kenya.

She was born on January 4th, 1921 in Mungni, India. After Marriage to Mr. Raishi Mepa, she moved to Kenya in 1936, and then she moved to England in 1974.

Makaben Shah raised twelve children, but is survived by ten children, nineteen grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was mother of Suresh Raishi Shah of Nashua, NH, and grandmother of Sneha, Aarti and Puja Shah of Nashua, NH. She was Masi to Shantilal Shah of Hackettstown, NJ, and Hasmukh, Dinesh, and Kiren Shah of St. Louis, MO.

Mr. Narshi Punja Shah was born in a village called Kajuda near Jamnagar, Gujarat on Diwali November 8, 1928. He was the youngest of 8 children. He moved to Kenya in 1939 at age 11 and did his primary and secondary education in Kisumu. In 1945, he joined the family’s textile business. The business expanded to include sugarcane, wheat, maize, sisal, and dairy farming. He also mined copper in South Nyanza and ventured into automobiles and real estate business.

Narshibhai married Kanchanben May 16, 1948. His family includes his eldest son Sunil, wife Shakuntala, their 2 children Sajni and Savan; his second son Kamal and son Punit, and his daughter Nutan, her husband Arvind, their son Rohin, daughter Devina and her husband Sunny.

Narshibhai played a very active role in many organizations such as Visa Oshwal Vanik Community (V.O.V.C.) of Kisumu and Nairobi; and the Oshwal Education Board. He was a founder member of the Lions Club of Kisumu.

In 1968 Narshibhai moved to Nairobi where he expanded his automobile business. With the help of Sunil and Kamal, United Millers was born in 1977, and has become a household name, providing thousands of jobs and incomes directly and indirectly.

Narshibhai was a very religious and philanthropic person, well spoken, and a world traveler. He is today the highest donor to the Oshwal Education Fund. Among others, he completely renovated the Cutchi Gujarat Shiv Mandir on Race Course Road Nairobi.

Narshibhai was able to accomplish many dreams and goals in his life. In April 1998, he organized an Eye Camp in Kisumu that benefited the lives of over 14,000 Kenyans. In December 2003, he built and provided for the Kisumu Visa Oshwal Community a Jain Deraser. And finally in September 2005, he traveled to Mansarover to give his last respects. He was an inspiration to many and an example of a life worth living. On June 21, 2008, he took his last breath at 8.20pm.

JAI MAHAVIR

On June 15, 2008 over 40 people come together to celebrate a special Father’s Day with many friends and family at Dipak and Smita Shah’s residence in Lemont, Illinos.

Due to the weather, our planned picnic at the park was changed, but worked out for the best.

We all enjoyed the food (bhel, sandwiches, chili moogo, vada, papdi-no-lot, falafel, cake, ice cream, watermelon, bean salad, and many more!) which all the families prepared and many card games. This allowed each of us to catch up with our fellow Oshwals.

This event was successful and future plans of more family-oriented gatherings was discussed.

Special thanks to everyone who helped out!

Congratulation to Baiju & Ashish Chauhan of Chicago, Illinois on the birth of their baby girl, Annika Baiju Chauhan in May 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.

Proud Grandparents are Chandulal and Madhu Malde of Flint, Michigan and Late Hasmuklalbhai and Lalitaben Chauhan of Carol Stream, Illinois.

Baiju and Annika are doing well!

Congratulations to Kushal Shah (son of Pravin and Pravina Shah of Austin, Texas) and Alvi Shah (daughter of Chandulal and Kantaben Shah of Mumbai, India) on their wedding on March 3rd, 2008. We wish the couple all the best and happiness in their married life.

The annual Father’s Day picnic in the New York Metro area was held on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at Haverstraw Bay Park, in Haverstraw, New York.  Over 50 people attended and enjoyed catching up, with the Hudson River as a backdrop.  There was plenty of food, including jalebi-gathiya, bagels, chai, sweet corn, veggie-kebabs, bhel, and sandwiches.

Thanks to everyone who attending for making this event a success.  Click on the picture to the left to view photos from the event.

Devendra Virchand Raichand Shah died suddenly on the morning of 9th June 2008 in London following a heart attack. He was born in Nairobi on 1st July 1945 where his parents (late) Virchand Raichand Ranmal Shah of Dabsang and Amritben (Arablus) ran a corner shop. Devendra did his pre-university education in Kenya and he also became a Queen Scout and received the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award for his outdoor activities on Kenya’s Independence day. He studied for an Hons Degree in Electrical Engineering from 1965 to 1969 at Edinburgh University, Scotland.

From about 1988 until his death Devendra worked tirelessly as a Committee member for the Oshwal Association UK, NW London Area in various capacities. His aim was to promote the Jain faith among the young and old within the Oshwal Community which he did with vigor. As he became spiritually aware, he did many Athais and Ambels and visited many places of Jain Worship in India, particularly Palitana and Rajasthan.

He leaves behind wife Pravina and two children Drijen and Anouksha both University graduates.

Congratulations to Sonia Shah (Daughter of Madhu and Hemendra Shah of Leominster, Massachusetts) and Adam Boardman (Son of Carol and Larry Boardman of Connecticut) on their wedding on Jun 14th 2008 at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA. Family and friends from all over the United States, as well as from UK and Kenya, came to celebrate in the wedding festivities.

12 Oshwals… One Mission

‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’

13th April 2008 is an everlasting memory for the 12 Oshwals (6 men and 6 ladies) who ran the Flora London Marathon in the Superman costume - red t-shirt and blue cape. Celebrating the commemoration of 100 years of 26.2 miles distance running, this biggest ever group of Oshwals training together and running the London Marathon did the Oshwal community really proud!

Getting fit and doing good was a vision of Piyush Gudka and Laxmi Patel who wanted to raise as much money as possible for ‘Life 4 Children‘ (L4C), a Shishukunj initiative. Shishukunj is a charity run on a voluntary basis and all the funds raised will be used to help under privileged children with food, education, health facilities and shelter, all the things we take for granted.

The Oshwal runners were part of a bigger L4C running group, twenty four runners in total. Piyush and Laxmi, our very own SuperMan and WonderWoman, tirelessly encouraged and trained the runners physically as well as mentally with advise on various aspects of long distance running, and organised support teams, costumes, marketing, fundraising and not least the unforgettable parties. These runners had no Sunday morning lie-ins as the endurance runs required the group to meet at 6:45am in Stanmore. Our trainer, Piyush, put us through the paces and perfectly timed schedule for us to start the marathon in peak condition. As part of this special group the runners were truly well supported by friends and well wishers with words of encouragement, food, drinks and a lot of love.

Each runner has their own story to tell, but here are just a few words from each runner.

Piyush Gudka

My satisfaction is not doing 24 marathons all over the world, but in encouraging and training 53 novices, in the last 6 years, in running at least one marathon and at the same time raising lots of money for charity.

Records and best times for me are just bonus. As I tell all my first time runners, the sheer enjoyment is in taking part, savouring the fantastic atmosphere and completing the race. I still haven’t got out of that stage.

Nishma Shah

I was introduced to this fantastic group of runners, 3 years ago. When I joined, I could not run for 10 minutes and now I have completed my third marathon! This was the toughest to finish as we had sunshine, drizzle, downpour and hailstorm.

However, the runner’s spirit on a Sunday morning and the supporters smiley faces throughout got me over the finish line.

Meera R Shah

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to stand on the summit of Mount Everest, once said “It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

I believe that Sir Hillary’s words have a ring of truth in them. It’s not really the marathon but it is the doubts, anxieties and worries in our mind as to whether we could do it, that we’ve conquered.

What made the biggest difference was the support and encouragement of Piyushbhai (our trainer) and all the other runners and supporters - in the same way as Sir Hillary and Tenzing’s joint achievement wouldn’t have
been possible without their support of each other.

Dilesh Haria

Running in the rain, soaking my feet in every puddle, and the painful blisters was made worth while by having the crowd cheer me on and shout my name! Running the last mile as fast as possible, sprinting to the finish line was one of the best experiences in my life!

Niraj Shah

Crossing that finishing line and knowing I’d completed such a mammoth task filled me with utter Euphoria!! The whole experience was beyond my wildest expectations, from beginning training only a short time prior to the run….all the way to walking like a penguin the following day! One of life’s greatest challenges!

Kaushik Shah

There are a very few things in life that you can say that ‘I have earnt it’ and finishing the marathon is definitely one of them. The pain goes soon but the high is still there!

Harish Shah

I did my first marathon in 2004 and this is my second and even more special because I ran with my daughter Rajvi. Raising funds for the less fortunate children gave me the inner strength to finish it. On marathon day, the support group was marvellous which made the last 4 miles easier to complete. The 5 star treatment received at the end was extraordinary.

Rajvi Shah

This has been one of the best experiences of my life and I hope to do another marathon in the next 3 years! Crossing the finishing line was just fantastic and made it even more worthwhile as it is for a good cause and I ran it with my dad Harishbhai! The knee pain, early morning runs in rain, sun, wind and snow, midweek runs and dietary changes were all worth it.

Shila Shah

Running the Flora London Marathon is a dream come true….twice!!

I have so many memories to treasure and here is just a taster!

Where else in the world could you say that you ran along side the MASAI Warriors, dressed in their traditional clothes, dancing & singing and waving spears in the air?…..I did just that at the 2008 Flora London Marathon…..it was just awesome!

Another memory I will cherish is the longest training run while the snow was still falling and everything was untouched..……it was a picture postcard scene from a Christmas card….Wow!

Kirti Shah

London Marathon is a tough but a great challenge. I really enjoyed the 2008 Flora London Marathon taking in all the sights of London and the buzz of the spectators.

Running and training for a marathon is hard work. It needs total commitment, many tasks are kept on hold, one’s social life almost comes to a halt but you are at the peak of your fitness.

All I can say is if I can do it, you all out there can. Yes you can.

Nita Shah

To be honest, words can’t adequately express what one goes through this enduring challenge. There were moments of self-doubt which made me feel am I doing the right thing (only time will tell) but pushing beyond your personal boundary was the ultimate challenge. Hats off to Piyushbhai for pushing the barriers; Rashikbhai and Rameshbhai for running beside me; and the support of my hubbie Mukesh and my son Kavi’s understanding that mum couldn’t “play” with him at best of times.

One thing helped me tremendously during the training and on the actual
day was reciting Navkar Mantra.

Meenesh Shah

My experience of the training and the marathon was positive. I have run only half marathon before. Therefore doing 26.2 miles was a challenge.

The support from Shishukunj and all the other Londoners was absolutely fantastic. This was crucial at the start and at 16 miles when I hit the dreaded ‘wall’……this was uplifting.

The training gave me space to decide what was important to me and I have resolved to run at least one marathon a year in different counties.

The true heroes of our marathon group are the support team who work selflessly behind the scenes to make the impossible possible for the runners! As Sanjay, one of our supporter said it is all about ‘giving’ which is a truly wonderful experience. Together, as a team we have given hope to the children who dare not hope.

“A marathon is a race without race, colour, religion, sex, prejudice, nationality, hate, where everyone starts as an equal, and everyone finishes as a winner.”