Latest News & Events

On 17/2/2013 there will be 108 Parshavanath Bhagwan Pujan

On 16/2/2013 there will be a Pravachan

Flag Hoisting - 15th Pratishta Mahatsav

Param Pujya Munishri Jinchandraji Maharaj of Tithal will grace this auspicious occasion. The flag hoisting with the 18 Abhishekhs of the five Murtis will take place on Wednesday 20/2/2013.

Diwali

Diwali celebrations at Shree Visa Oshwal Community Thika Mahajanwadi will be on Tuesday 13/11/2012 SAAL MUBARAKH BRUNCH on 14/11/2012

Ayambel Oli for the month of Aaso

The sponsor is the family of Fulchand Lakhamshi Parivar celebrating their 100 years in Thika Ayambel Oli will start from 21/10/2012 to 29/10/2012

Mr. Motichand Hansraj Dodhia's inspiring speech during Shree Visa Oshwal Community, Thika's 75/100 years historic celebration on Saturday, 12th December, 2009.

It is indeed a very happy day today for me because during my Chairmanship of Shree Visa Oshwal Community, Thika for 5 years from 1999 to 2003, it was my sincere desire and ambition that in 2009 when our community completes 75 years of its existence, we should celebrate this historic event in a grand manner. In order to make my dream a reality, I proposed to the Managing Committee of Shree Visa Oshwal Community, Thika about 2 years ago that although we have not celebrated Silver, Golden or Diamond Jubilee of our Institution, we must celebrate Platinum Jubilee of our Institution in a grand manner in 2009. My proposal was accepted by all the members present and that is why I am overjoyed today that my dream has become a reality. In fact it is a matter of double joy for Thika Oshwals because we are also celebrating 100 years of Oshwal settlement in Thika simultaneously.

Oshwal's achievements in the field of Commerce and Industry have been remarkable. At the same time, Thika Oshwals have always in forefront in the Social, Educational and Religious fields. Thika Oshwals have always tackled any task of whatsoever nature and whatsoever difficult easily because of the unity, tolerance and brotherhood prevailing amongst Thika Oshwals. The best example of what Thika Oshwals can do is Shah Free Eye and ENT Camp organized by Thika Oshwals under the banner of Shree Jain Youth League since last 30 years. Shah Free Eye and ENT Camp have been so popular amongst Kenya's Africans that they are eagerly awaiting for the month of April every year when the Camp is held at Thika. Even the Government of Kenya has appreciated this humanitarian noble work carried out by Thika Oshwals. Truly, it is a matter of pride for entire Oshwal Community of Kenya.

When Visa Oshwal Vanik Community of Mombasa celebrated Platinum Jubilee of their Institution in the year 2002, Late Chimanlal Fulchand, Kantaben Chimanlal and I represented Visa Oshwal Community, Thika and participated in their historic celebrations. We were really impressed by the hospitality of Mombasa Oshwals. At this juncture, I would like to request not only Thika Oshwals but the entire Oshwal population to remember and put in action one slogan that is: - Do not ask what your Community or Institution can do for you but what you can do for your community or Institution.

I particularly appeal to young Thika Oshwals to make irrevocable decision today to celebrate Centenary year of our Institution in 2034 in a similar grand manner or even in a better way. At this juncture, I thank wholehearted Shree Visa Oshwal Community, Thika for honouring me with an award which will be a remembrance for me for the life time and will increase the beauty of my house.

Speech made by Ratilal H. Shethia at the festival

First of all, I would like to congratulate the V.O.C. 75 years organizing committee for holding such a meticulous and hugely successful event to celebrate the 75 years of V.O.C and making it a super success in Thika's history.

The fIrst President of Tanzania, Mr. Julius Nyerere, was interviewed by a correspondent of the Times Magazine the following day after Tanzania's independence on 10th December 1961. He was asked, and I quote, "Are you not running too fast that would lead to your shoe strings to entangle in your feet and fall flat on your face." This statement was made as Tanzania's political party, Tanganyika African National Union (TANU), was formed just six years before independence in 1955. President Nyerere replied "My dear, we don't have shoes on our feet, so we are safe."

At the time, it reminded me of the Halar villages' situation. Sixty years ago they could not afford to buy shoes for their children up to the age of seven and they walked barefoot and therefore their feet were becoming thorn-proof.

In the year 1900 A.D there was a deadly famine in the villages ofHalar. There was nobody to help them out. Most of them were farmers and farm workers. When the news of the famine reached THE JAIN SHREIKAR MANDAL OF MEHESANA OF NORTH GUJARAT, a benevolent society that helped the poor, they came to the rescue with clothing, food and money and saved them from famine. This famine in our vernacular language is called "CHAP ANIO" as it was in SAVANT 1956. Every four or fIve years there used to be a famine in Halar.

The above famine proved a boon in disguise as it changed the vision and thinking of the villagers of Halar. They started migrating to greener pastures in Mumbai, M.Prades in India and Africa.

Members of Thika V.O.C are very generous when giving donations. An example is the Nairobi Oshwal Center; during the time when they were collecting funds for this project only a few Nairobi Oshwals donated. In 1995, they approached Thika and very willingly the Thika Oshwals donated platinum plaques each of 2.5 million shillings. This generosity, I feel is because of the water ofChania River. It is said that those who drink
water of SABARMATI become shrewd. Likewise Thika Oshwals become very generous in donations.

Thank you,

Ratilal H. Shethia

13/12/09

Picnic

At 11:00am on Sunday, everybody gathered at the Thika Gymkhana grounds. Tanuja, Sandip and Jitain had arranged a set of games. Everyone was separated into pre-arranged teams, red, green, blue, and yellow. The games started at midday. The first game was picking the right coloured pieces of paper from a bowl containing papers of different colours, using a straw. This was followed by a game called crossing the river. Here, 40 members of each team had to cross the river on plastic papers making only seven trips in total. The next game involved catching water filled balloons using the same plastic papers used to cross the river. There were also a set of questions and answers, phrases, and an A – Z worksheet of things you wear on the body that had to be answered by each team.

The games were followed by lunch at 2:00pm.The answers to all the worksheets were announced next. Next, the people aged 60 and above played musical chairs. The last game of the day was tug of war between children below 12 years, teenagers, and people aged between 20 and 50 years. The day ended with a much needed cup of tea and biscuits. All in all it was a fun filled day appreciated by both the youngsters and the elders.

12/12/09

Gala Dinner

Guests began to arrive at 7.00pm for the Grand Gala Night. They were welcomed by Chairman Kalpesh, Priti, Kantaben, Dr.J.K. Malde, Sheelaben and Motchandbhai. After a welcome drink, they were ushered to their tables by a team of Oshwal Teenagers headed by Kunal and Ekta.

The official programme began at 7.30pm with the National Anthem followed by the Navkar Mantra. Then everyone observed 1 minute’s silence in memory of the Departed Oshwals of Thika. This was followed by a welcome address by the MC Mr. Kirti Shah. Thereafter, assisted by Bimal, Kirti introduced all the Oshwal families present.

The presentation of tokens, crystal pineapples, to the Donors outside Thika and the Messages of Congratulations followed. After the cutting of the cake by Kalpesh and Priti,assisted by Bimal and Bharti, everybody proceeded for the Buffet Dinner. The menu consisted of Naan, chopadia paratha, corn curry, paneer korma, stuffed masala potatoes, peas curry, ragdo pattis, jeera rice, dahi chutney, kachumbari, pickled chillies and papad accompanied by Vimto special, Tea and coffee. Dessert consisted of Chumchum, choco crunch, fresh fruits and Paan.

After the delicious meal everyone settled down again for the welcome address by the Chairman Kalpesh. Mr Narendra Shah, Chairman of Oshwal Education and Relief Board gave a short address. This was followed by the presentation of Awards to all the Chairmen and Trustees, past and present, of Visa Oshwal Community, Thika. All the recipients congratulated the Community for the great work done. Finally, Mr. Bimal Shah, the Convenor of this programme, addressed everyone and also gave the Vote of Thanks.

11/12/09

Sanatra Pooja

At 8:45am, all the children from the SCVP School-Jain Class, gathered at the Derasar for the pooja. The teachers, Bharti, Taru, Anna, Meela, Rishna and Smita were guiding them, together with Kamleshbhai, who took them through the whole Sanatra Pooja. The Shantikalash took place next, followed by samu chaityavandan.

The pooja ended at 11:15am with penda as prabhavna.

Exhibition

All Oshwals of Thika, resident and non-resident, were given the opportunity to exhibit photographs, family history and achievements. This was a huge success. The exhibition committee had also managed to gather a lot of old brass utensils and other artifacts which were displayed beautifully.

Dinner and Slideshow

At 6:00pm, there was Anathmi.

At 7:00pm, everyone gathered near the Derasar for the VOC Community photograph. There were two photographs taken.

At 7:30, everyone proceeded for Dinner. The menu consisted of tomato soup, buns, pav bhaji, wheat wonder bhel, matarbhat and kadhi, thepla, pickle, kitkat barfi and mukhwas, ice cream, soda, and tea. After Dinner, everybody proceeded for the slideshow under the outside hall.

At 9:00pm, Mr.Kirti, the MC welcomed everyone. The evening started with the National Anthem followed by the Navkar Mantra. A skit by the SCVP students called Jai Jinendra was performed next. This was followed by the Diva Lighting Ceremony performed by the VOC Chairman, Kalpesh, and the three trustees, Mohanbhai, Ratilal Fulchand Shah and Ratilal Hemraj Sethia. Kirti then invited the Chairman, Kalpesh, for the welcome address.

The Slideshow was entitled Oshwal life in Thika. It was started off with Roger Whittaker’s My Land is Kenya. A series of slides entitled Thika Today followed. The archives slides included the first photo taken on the 12th of January 1932. The next series of slides were entitled Streets and Businesses followed by Events. The next set of slides was entitled With Prominent Personalities followed by slides entitled Hindi Mahila Mandal. A set of Shree Jain Youth League slides were presented next followed by slides entitled Awards, Honours and Sports. Next came the weddings in Thika and finally the wish list. The slideshow ended with photos of the tree planting at Kieni Forest and thanks to the various people and organizations who contributed various photos to make the slideshow possible. This was followed by the presentation of Tokens, crystal pineapples, to all Heads of families from Thika. About 114 Tokens were presented. The slideshow ended at 10:30pm.

22/11/2009

Tree Planting at Kieni Forest

A total of 17 adults and 11 children, including 10month old Devina, left Thika Mahajanwadi at 9.00am. We reached the identified spot at 10.10am. Mr. Kinyanjui, the District Forest Officer in Thika, briefed everyone.

Kieni Forest is part of the Aberdare Forest and one of the five water towers in Kenya. It is 13000 hectares in size and usually very wet. The indigenous trees, Podo and Camphor, are good for conservation and take about 30 years to grow fully. Pines and Cypress are the best exotic trees.

In the next 2 years they hope to have covered the entire forest. Their vision is to increase the forest cover by 10% by the year 2030. Monica, the local forester, then showed everyone how to plant the trees. The holes had already been dug and the seedlings put beside them. Everyone split up into groups of 2 or 3 and started planting the trees.

By 12.30pm about 700 trees had been planted. We also had the opportunity to see some elephants which roam this forest freely. The forester informed us there are thousands of these elephants in the forest. After a refreshing Picnic Lunch we left for Thika at 1.30pm.