KOJAIN NEWSLETTER

1251-36 Cerritos Ave. Anaheim, Ca. 92802

Phone and Fax: (714) 956-0405
Web Site: www.kojain.com

Board of Directors:
Officers:
President: Kalyanji K. Mota
(714) 956-0405
kkmm30@hotmail.com
Vice-President: Dr. Prem Gada
(806) 794 4777
Prem@jainworld.com
Secretary: Dami Rambhia
(860) 633-1392
Drambhia@aol.com
Treasurer: Harak Gala
(301) 912-3545
harakgala@yahoo.com
Regional Directors:

Region 1: AZ,CO,HI,NM,SO.CA,UT.

Presidents Message
My dear fellow Kachchhi Oswals,
Jai Jinendra.
This is our first newsletter of this year. Welcome to 2005. Wish you and your family
a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
The earthquake in Kachchh during 2001 was of magnitude of 7.6. The earthquake in
2004 (Tsunami) is of magnitude 8.9. The earthquake strength of one magnitude increases by
geometric progression. The Tsumani earthquake is much stronger than Kachchh earthquake. Anyone wishing to donate funds can send check to KOJAIN, with memo stating
Tsumani earthquake. Shri Dami Rambhia will be coordinating the information related to
Tsumani earthquake.

Mexico

Vijay Chheda
(714) 544-5850
Vijaychheda@hotmail.com
Region 2: AK,ID,MT,NV,NO.CA,OR,
WA,WY.

Navin Dedhia
(408) 629-1723
Navindedhia@hotmail.com
Region 3: AR,KS,LA,MO,OK,TX.
Dhiraj M. Gosar (281) 530-1931
gosard@hal-pc.org
Region 4: IL,IN,IA,MN,NE,ND,SD WI
Ram Gada
(651) 636-1075
rgada@aol.com
Region 5: AL,FL,GA,MS,TN.
Harsha R. Nagda (352) 854-1776
babuji@aol.com
Region 6: KY,MI,OH,W.PA,WV.
Mahendra Maru (270) 688-8715
mcmaru@yahoo.com
Region 7: MD,NC,SC,VA,Wa.DC.
Manoj Dharamsi (703) 620-9837
manojdharamsi@juno.com
Region 8: DE,E.PA,NJ.
Tansukh Maru (732) 495-2304
marut@ix.netcom.com
Region 9: NY
Chhotalal Bheddah (516) 883-0345
bheddah@aol.com
Region 10: CT,ME,MA,NH,RI,VT.
Vimla Chheda (203) 372-4958
Vnchheda@optonline.net
Region 11: Canada
Hemant Shah (204) 269-4362
hirshah@mts.net
Past President:
Kalyanji Mota As noted above
Youth Representative Director:
Sachin Visharia (732) 985-4716
Svi saria@lucent.com
A Non-Profit Organization
Tax exempt no. 06-1442444

Many of us visited India during the winter months, especially at the end of the year.
An NRI party was arranged at Lax Kenias house in Mumbai where the NRIs of North
America and NRIs settled in India got together on December 31st 2004. About 70 members
joined the party. Many of us had a chance to meet old friends and make new friends.
As is my practice in the years gone by, I again visited the organizations to which
KOJAIN sent the donations in the last few years. I attended the opening ceremony of the
Jaya Rehabilitation Institute and Research Center at Bidada Sarvodaya Trust in Bidada. In
Khavda, KMVS (Kachchh Mahila Vikas Sangathan) has undertaken a project to develop a
small Maternity Clinic with KOJAINs participation. The clinic was inaugurated in February 2005. To have such a facility in so remote a rural area is surely a blessing for women in
and around Khavda.. The 200-lakh-Rupees project to rehabilitate members of KVO
(Kachchhi Visa Oswals) Samaj of Bhuj who had lost their houses in the earthquake of 2001
was inaurgurated in March 2005. Veerayatan schools in Jakhania and Rudrani in Kachchh,
two of the most well managed schools, are now fully operational. (http://www.veerayatan.
org/5d01.htm) Veerayatan has accepted our proposal to award Shri Tulshi Gajra Memorial
Scholarship Program for and on behalf of KOJAIN.
I found the Prince Health Center and Navneet Hospital in Dahishar, near Mumbai,
prime examples of making optimal and efficient use of available resources to provide best
possible service to our Kachchhi Oswal community.
Bhujpur Maternity Hospital is scheduled to open in December of 2005. As many of
you are aware, the prime force behind the completion of this project were our KOJAIN
members, Shri Ramesh Dedhia of Michigan and Shri Chhotalal Bheddah of New York.
They also were instrumental in securing donation from AIF (American Indian Foundation).
I also vis ited Bhachau and Bhojay hospitals. Bhuj Hospital, built by government at
a cost of 130-plus crore rupees is, at present, without the needed medical staff and so far has
turned out to be a white elephant. However, in general, the progress of developmental work
in Kachchh is noticeable.
We love to hear from you. Keep sending your comments.
With warm regards,
Kalyanji Mota
President of KOJAIN

Page 2

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

News from The Board of Directors:

The Board of meet via tele conference on October 3,
2004.

Board of directors made suggestions to revise

Scholarship Program. The suggestions may be
incorporated in the Program to serve our
community better.
Discussion was held for long term planning of
KOJAIN. It was determine that several committees
are functioning well to accomplish long term goals.
Board reviewed functioning of several committees.

Progress report of Medical Information Committee

Chairperson:
Vimla Chheda (203) 372-4958
vnchheda@optonline.net
Members: Ila Shah, (562)
947-7018 ilacshah@yahoo.com
Bhagavati Gada (806)
794-4777 gadapg9jafna@pol.net
Dr. Mahendra Maru
(270) 688-8715 maru@medscape.com
Dr. Shantilal
Kenia (413) 562-7737 Kenya1@aol.com
========================================
From: Vimla Chhe da. Progress report & appeal letter

KMVS (Kachchh Mahila Vikash Sangthan)

UPDATE
Many of you may remember the story from the
last KOJAIN Newsletter "Hu Paachhi Aaveesh" (I will
come back). We, the members of KMVS (Kachchh
Mahila Vikas Sangathan) Committee thank you all for
your generous and timely support for the womens

health clinic in rural Kachchh. We are delighted to

announce that the clinic was inaugurated on February 11, 2005. Approximately 80 KOJAIN members
generously supported this cause.
The clinic has opened in the center of Khavda
village, which has a population of approximately
10,000 people. At present the clinic serves the whole
pachchham area, which has a population base of
40,000. This is the only working clinic in the area.
This unique clinic for the rural women is run by the

Dear Friends,

trained dhais (mid wives), and nurses. We will provide further update on how the clinic is running in
the future newsletters.

Medical Information committee was able to assist

two patients from India with their ear problems. The advice and encouragement one of the patients (Mulbai
Shantilal Furia of Mulund) received from Dr. Chandravadan Haria (ENT) greatly helped her.

KMVS staff is also actively involved in the

Tsunami disaster relief efforts. Sushmaben (founder of
KMVS) was invited to Tamilnadu to coordinate the
relief work with her tremendous experience after the
earthquake in Bhuj.

My humble request to all the Medical Professionals is to please join our committee as volunteers.

Kachchh Mahila Vikas Sangathan Committee

GENERAL BODY MEETING AND GET-TOGETHER EVENT IS PLANNED DURING JAINA CONVENTION.
We are very happy to announce that JAINA Convention conveners and Program Co mmittee have accepted our request to provide a hall accommodating 200 people for 1.25
hours to have a KOJAIN general body meeting and get-together of KOJAIN members
on either Saturday July 2, 2005 or Sunday July 3, 2005. (Please refer to the JAINA program book, to be given at the convention for specifics of day, time and location etc.)
We appeal to all KOJAIN members to plan to attend the JAINA Convention
starting Friday July 1, 2005.
Following is the agenda planned for the meeting: 1) Prathana 2) Introduction by
all the members present (3) Latest report on activities of some committees (4) Comments
from members related to only of KOJAIN activities. (5) Any other item approved by the
Board of Directors. (6) Social time, meet each other.

Page 3

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

City
St. Amt.
Woodbridge
CT $251
Clarksburgh
MD $250
Glastonburry CT $250
Chandravada & Hansa Haria Medina
OH $250
Vijay & Piyusha Savla
Acton
MA $250
Ram & Neena Gada
St. Paul
MN $250
Rajendra & Ketna Shah
Englewood
CO $200
Bhawanji & Kalavati Jain Dunn Loring VA $200
Dinesh & Sushila Shah
San Diego
CA $151
Harakh & Jayawanti Dedhia New Orleans LA $151
Seema Maru
Hazlet
NY $151
Rajesh & Jainisha Shah
Albuquerque NM $151
Tilak & Ranjana Shah
Rockville
MD $151
Naresh Kumar & Marudula Shah Shavertown
PA $151
Shri Tulshibhai Gajra Memorial Fund
Priti & Bharat Shah
Edison
NJ $102
Name
City
St.
Amt. Umesh & Archna Shah
Burlington
NJ $101
Vijay & Pallavi Chheda
Santa Clara
CA $101
Shah Bankim and Nita San Diego CA
$1000
Dhiren
&
Sushma
Shah
Dallas
TX $101
Savla Popat & Kalpana Pasadena CA
$2368
Navin & Vimla Chheda
Easton
CT $101
Kirit & Pallavi Gala
Arcadia
CA $101
Shree Mulund Swetamber Murtipujak Jain Sangh
Mahendra & Hina Shah
Altamonte SpringsFL $101
Name
City
St. Amt. Reshma M. Gada
Attleboro
MA $101
Rajiv Maheshwari
Farmington Hills MI $7400 Nemjee & Jaya Chheda
Rockford
IL $101
Tansukh & Manjula Maru Hazlet
NY $101
Shree Bidada Sarvoday Trust
Navin & Sudha Vora
Houston
TX $101
Kalyanji
&
Jyoti
Mota
Anaheim
CA
$101
Name
City
St.
Amt.
Jawahar
&
Vasanti
Visaria
Pensacola
FL
$101
Shah Arvind and Jaya
Troy
MI
$75,000
Visanji
&
Jaya
Gala
Germantown
TN
$100
(Pledged total of $225,000. Three installments of
Sanjiv
&
Chhaya
Gala
Pearland
TX
$100
$75,000 each in 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Sanjay N. Mediiwala
Houston
TX $100
Anil & Pushpa Bharani
Houston
TX $100
Kachchh Mahila Vikas Sangthan Committee
Narendra & Neelam Gosar Katy
TX $100
Name
City
St.
Amt.
Dhirajlal & Indrani Gosar Houston
TX $100
Smita D. Udeshi
Covina
CA
$2,000
Suresh & Prema Shah
Norwalk
CT $100
Hansraj & Usha Maru
Brookfield CT
$1,700* Pradip & Bhanu Savla
Southington
CT $100
Rajesh & Jyoti Chheda
Atco
NJ
$1,001
Kalpesh & Hemal Savla
Woburn
MA $100
Rasik & Harshada Nagda Ocala
FL
$1,000
Dinesh & Ranjana Chheda Bedford
MA $100
Arvind & Asha Vira
Gretna
LA
$1,000
Samir & Amisha Shah
Rockville
MD $51
Ratilal
&
Rekha
Chheda
Millersville
MD $51
Hemant Maru
Hicksville
NY
$1,000
Shashikant
&
Pallavi
Savla
Lewis
Center
OH
$51
Mahendra & Nalini Maru Owensboro KY
$1,000
Dilip
&
Aarti
Chheda
Houston
TX
$51
Anil & Hina Shah
Concord
MA $1,000
Chand & Indira Shah
Lisle
IL $51
Lata & Kanti Gala
Manalapan NJ
$1,000
Mansukhlal
&
Manjula
Gala
North
Haven
CT
$51
Hasmukh & Meena Shah Houston
TX
$786
Shashin
B.
Chheda
Dorchester
MA
$51
Talkashi & Meeta Shah
Chatham
NJ
$750
Ameet
$
Heena
Kotak
Lisle
IL
$50
Lalit & Rekha Savla
San Diego
CA $501
Vasant Shah
Omaha
NE $50
Bakim & Nita Shah
San Diego
CA $501
Sunil & Pallavi Dharamsi Manassas
VA $25
Samji & Rekha Dedhia
Houston
TX $501
Navin & Jaya Shah
New Canaan CT $25
Popatlal & Kalpana Savla Pasadena
CA $501
Kirtikumar & Sangeeta Jain Trumbull
CT $25
Dinesh & Rajul Gala
Cerritos
CA $500
Shekhar & Leena Shah
San Marcos
TX $25
Shanti & Hema Satra
Crete
IL
$500
Girish & Kinnari Kenia
Oradell
NJ $11
Jethalal & Alka Rambhia
Pittsburgh
PA $500
Gangji & Prabha Gala
Houston
TX $10
Chotalal & Dorothy Bheddah Port Washington NY $500
Total Amount collected
$24,191
Vasant & Jyotsna Nagda
Newton
MA $500
Vijay & Mita Sankhla
Toms River
NJ $500
* In addition, Marus contributed $803 towards mailing
of September 2004 KOJAIN newsletter. We acknowledge
Kishore & Ninu Vora
Owensboro KY $500
their contribution with our thanks.
Lalit & Hema Savla
Holden
MA $500
Lalit Gala & Chandrica Shah North Andover MA $251

New Membership:

Name
City
St. Amt.
Jaya & Navin Shah
Cannan
CT
$250
Shah Vasant & Damyanti Omaha
NE
$250
Shah Mulchand & Hansa Overland Park KS
$250
Sunil & Pallavi Dharamsi Manassas
VA
$250
Mukesh & Kalpana Dharod Lenexa
KS
$250
Shah Amish & Kavita
Harrisburg
PA
$ 40
Umesh & Sony Gala
Conyers
GA
$ 40
Ketna & Rajendra Shah Englewood
CO $ 40
Shah Keyur
San Diego
CA
$ 30
Bhoumik Mamania
New Rochelle NY $ 30
Nikhil Satra
Marlborough
MA $ 30

Name
Sudhir & Anita Shah
Niren & Jaya Nagda
Dami & Prabha Rambhia

Page 4

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

NEWS FROM REGIONS

Region 10: CT,ME,MA,NH,RI,VT.

A Connecticut (Kachchhi) youth performs

in Barcelona
Nirav Shah, 15
of Woodbridge, Connecticut participated
in the 2004 Parliament
of worlds religions
held in Barcelona,
Spain from July 7th to
July 13th 2004. He
performed spiritual
music on his violin at
the Unity of Minds program and also at the closing
ceremony, along with other youths.
The parliament was attended by nearly 8.000
delegates from 75 countries. The Parliament also extended an invitation and a scholarship to Nirav to participate in the pre-parliament assembly of the leaders
held at the Montserrat monastery just outside of Barcelona. Nirav was the youngest member of the assembly.
Assembly, gathered together 250 religious and spiritual leaders, scholars, activists and practitioners, grassroots inter-religious organizers, representatives of the
worlds other guiding institutions, and young people,
in order to consider the role and contribution of religion and spirituality to a better world. Our congratulations to Nirav and his proud parents.
Region 4: IL,IN,IA,MN,NE,ND,SD WI
Graduation:
Congratulations to Rajesh Laxmichand Shah (25),
Son of Loius & Lilavanti Shah of Chicago (Kutch
Nagalpur) for completing Masters in Computer Sc ience (June 2004) from Stanford University, Palo
Alto, Ca. and joining as Software Engineer with
Motorola in Mountain View, Califonia.
Welcome and Thank-you Notes:
Welcome to Dr. Tushar Vora & Dr. Purvi Vora to
Minneapolis. Tushar has joined as cardiologist with
Minnesota Heart Clinic and Purvi is a residence
medical Fellow with Univ.Of Minn. Hematology,
Oncology ant Transplantation Division.
Thanks to Dr. Surendra and Bharti Shah for joining
KOJAIN Host Family Program as a host family in
Indiana.
Many thanks to Dr. Surendra Shah (Indiana) and
Drs. Tushar & Purvi Vora (Minnesota) for serving
as medical resource for KOJAIN medical information system and resource directory.

Region 7: MD,NC,SC,VA,Wa.DC.
Tapasya
Following three persons from Washington,
DC area did Atthai: (1) Manoj Dharamsi (2)
Navin Vora (3) Sonal Navin Vora (youth)
Region 1: AZ,CO,HI,NM,SO.CA,UT.Mexico
New arrivals: Congratulations to proud parents &
close family:
Parag and Nisha Veera of Fountain Valley,
California (Village: Deshalpur) are proud
parents of a baby girl, Arpitas, born on September 4, 2004.
Vora Sameer and Sangeeta of San Diego,
CA, (Village Vadala) are proud parents of a
baby boy, Arnav, born on September 22,
2004.
Mangat Gagan and Nipa of Irvine, CA, are
proud parents of a baby boy, Vihaan, born on
October 3, 2004.
Bella and Amit Kapadia of Tustin, CA, are
proud parents of a baby boy, Aakash, born on
March 25, 2005.
Paryushana Tap:
Ashok Savla, Sejal Rode, Vijay Chheda and
Nalin Chheda all of them did Atthai during
the last Paryushana.
Niraj Khona age 11 did 2 Upvas, 2 Ekasana,
4 Beyasana.
Region 2: AK,ID,MT,NV,NO.CA,OR,WA,
WY.
Matrimonial news:
Neha Navin Shamji Dedhia (Village: Bidada;
San Jose, California) got married to Raoul
Rashmi Shah (Baroda; Flint, Michigan) on
March 19, 2005. The newly weds will make
Centerville, Virginia, as their residence.
New Arrivals: Congratulations to proud parents
& close family:
Parag P./Hetal Shah (Village-Koday; Petaluma, California) were blessed with a baby
boy, Kavin, in January, 2005.
Vijay K./Kalpa Vira (Village-Deshalpur;
Santa Clara, California) were blessed with a
baby girl, Jainisha, in September 2004.
Sonia and Manish Gada Adopted a baby girl,
Riyana. She is 11-month old.They also have
an adopted baby boy, Aneesh and he is now
3-year old.

Page 5

Region 6: KY,MI,OH,W.PA,WV.
Wedding Anniversary: Congratulations!
25th wedding anniversary of Dr. Jethalal Rambhia and
Alka Rambhia was celebrated in Pittsburgh PA. on
March 19th 2005. Family Friends and well-wishers
from Pittsburgh as well as from all over USA gathered
in Pittsburgh to offer their best wishes to them. Dr.
Rambhia is a cardiologist and his wife Alka is a Dietician. They have two sons, Arun and Kunal.
Region 10: CT,ME,MA,NH,RI,VT.
Matrimonial news:
Hema and Lalit Savla of Massachusetts had a
privilege of two weddings in the last quarter of
2004. Their son, Ashesh, married Erin Rodet on
October 9,2004 and their daughter, Ushma. Married Rolf Neill on December 5, 2004. Congratulations to all and best wishes to the newly-weds.
Region 11: Canada:
Sad Demise:
Shri Maganlal Shah of Toronto Canada, (Kachchh
Mandvi) passed away on October 14, 2004. He was
born in India in 1917 and, at the age of 3, his family
moved to Zanzibar. In 1939, at the age of 22, he married to Diwaliben Shah. They were married for over
60 years and they raised 10 children and have 11
grandchildren. He came to Canada in 1978. He retired
from work and enjoyed his retirement by spending his
time with family. He participation in the Rotary Club,
raising funds for various charities, meeting people
from many walks of life, advising those who sought
his help. He showed keen interest in matters related to
Kachchh. May his soul rest in peace
Congratulations.
Kisti Shah is recently promoted to Vice President of the
SPDM group at JP Morgan in
New York. Her main responsibilities include business
Kisti Shah
growth, client contact and
structuring fixed income derivatives for large taxexempt and not-for-profit organizations such as municipalities, school districts, airports and other such
entities.
Kisti graduated as Wharton Scholar in 1999 from University of Pennsylvania with major in Finance, Health
Care Management and International Marketing and
minor in Math and Psycholo gy. Prior to that she
graduated Cum Laude from Harvard-Westlake School
in Studio City, CA. She is the daughter of Ashok &
Geeta Shah of Sherman Oaks, CA.

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

KOJAIN Awards Student Loan

KOJAIN Loan Program Committee is happy to announce the non- interest
student loan of $3809 to Shri Amit
Jethalal Shah, who is studying for Master in Business Administration at Suffolk
University in Boston, Massachusetts. The
amount is sent towards the tuition fee for
the next semester. The loan is to be repaid
in installments after Amit enters into job
market, following his graduation.
Shri Amit Shah is from Rayan,
Kachchh, and is from Madurai, Tamil
Nadu, in India. We congratulate him and
wish great success in his study and his
job hunt.
So far KOJAIN has awarded interest-free loans - including this one - in
the amount of $14,175 to Kachchhi students. This loan was possible due to the
generous donation from Drs. Nitin and
Leena Doshi of Great Neck, New York.

Winner Of The Logo Contest

Sonali Gandhi's entries in KOJAIN
LOGO contest won the first prize of $100
and the second prize of $50. Her logos art
was scored the highest rating from the
panel of three judges (Dr. Manoj Dharamsi,
Bella Satra and Ram Gada). Congratulations to Sonali and other participants for
their time and participation.
Sonali is a computer graphic designer and lives with her husband Vishal
Dedhia of Bombay (Navavas-Kachchh) in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Congratulations.

If you have NOT received a new KOJAIN directory, published in June 2003, it is
more than likely that you are currently not e nrolled as a KOJAIN Member or have not renewed your membership. All the paidmembers should have one. Please enroll as a
KOJAIN member or renew your membership
to receive your directory.

Page 6

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

Scholarship 2005

Successful tours of Shri Narendrabhai Nandu

in North America.

KOJAIN is soliciting candidates for one or more 2005

Scholarships. Criteria and submission requirements for
the Scholarship are listed below.

Last Prayushan celebration at Jain Center Of Southern

California (JCSC) was conducted by Shri Narendrabhai
All Kachchhi Oswal Jain community students from
Nandu. JCSC is going through
North America are eligible. Applicants must be enrollits expansion program worth 12
ing in a college first-year by fall 2005. All applicants
million dollars. Shri Narenmust:
Narendra Nandu
drabhai participated in raising
1.
be a current high school senior. Each applicant over two million dollars during the Prayushan
must submit a full transcript including the 2004-2005 Maha Parv of 2004.
school year. Photocopies are acceptable. If mailed by
Shri Narendra Nandu is from Kachchh
school, the transcript must still be post-marked by June
Vandh,
currently residing at Vile Parla in Mum17, 2005.
bai. Since last eight years he is having Varshi
2.
provide one written recommendation and char- Tap. He is performing various religious rites
acter reference from a teacher, counselor, friend, or a since 1983. In India he conducts various poojas
KOJAIN member (not related to applicant). Recom- for various religious organizations. He also ormendation must be submitted with the application pack- ganizes celebrations for Anjan Salaka, Pratistha
and Diksha. He took the total responsibilities of
age.
celebrating Anjan Salaka and Pratishtha of Ba u3.
list and briefly describe awards and/or extracur- ter Jinalay in Kachchh. He manages the end of
ricular services and activities on a separate page. Please fasting due to Varshitap of the masses. Last
provide enough information so that the selection com- Navanu pilgrimage in 2004 was successfully
managed by him. He has organized Prayushan
mittee will understand the nature of your activities.
discourse for the last twenty years.
4.
provide your email address. We will email you
He is spending about 3 to 5 months in
to acknowledge the receipt of your completed application and also to provide the result of the competition. various Jain Centers of North America to conduct Pratishtha or Poojan celebrations since
All applicants will be notified by August 19, 2005.
1998. He is a trustee of Bauter Jinalay,
5.
submit one typed, double-spaced essay. The es- Jogeshwari achalgachh Jain sangh, Vandh Jain
say should be on either one of the following two topics: Sangh, and Jain Sangh of Hydrabad. In one day,
(a) What is the importance of Kachchhi culture in your he has managed eighteen Abhishek twice in 210
daily life or (b) Who has made the most impact in your temples at 150 villages of Kachc hh.
life and how? The essay must be at least one page and
His accomplishments in various areas
must not exceed two pages.
speak for themselves. We hope that his work in
6.
provide results of American College Testing North America will bring enlightenment to the
(ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT), or other older as well as the younger generation.
entrance examinations scores as applicable.
Your feedback
Please mail all materials and two passport
size photographs (except transcript if necessary) in
We strive very hard to put the KOJAIN
one package, unfolded in a 9" by 12" (or larger) en- newsletters together. We will appreciate your
velope postmarked by June 17, 2005 to Dinesh comments to improve our newsletters: what you
like, what you want more of etc.
Chheda, 14 Paris Pl., Parsippany, NJ 07054.
Thank you.

Page 7

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

On A Journey Through The Past

By Saleen Shah

After completing my undergraduate studies in 1997, I embarked on a spiritually unrewarding career in finance. After experiencing the
underbelly of capitalism on Wall Street for four years, up until September 2001, I decided to change careers from an analyst in the
financial world to an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher. I asked myself a simple question: Are there places where the difference between being well-to-do and poor is to simply know conversational English? The answer: Too many. I got my CELTA
(Cambridge Language Teaching to Adults) certificate in four weeks. Little did I know it would change my life.
Over the past three years, I have taught English to non-native speakers in different worlds: Costa Rica, Germany, and recently, in
rural Kutch. Every experience has required total dedication, an energetic spirit, and most importantly, simple humanity.
I had been teaching English in the Black Forest in Germany for a few years and when I looked at the map one day I couldnt help but
notice the short distance between Frankfurt and Bombay, as opposed to the distance between JFK and Bombay!
Growing up in New Jersey and Bombay, I always wondered what kind of place Kutch was. A place where everyone leaves and no one
comes back to!? And then when you did talk to the people who left, people from my parents generation and my Kutchi friends in
Bombay, you heard the same old comments: The rains have stopped. Water is scarce. Beta, it is ruined by the earthquake!
There is nothing to see in Kutch, yaar. Still, I had an inner calling. Even if Kutch was the most god-forsaken and desolate place on
the planet, I had to go see t he land which my forefathers called home, I had to travel within Kutch, I had to gain a sense of history of
Kutch.
I had two main goals. The first was to teach spoken English to a class of society that needed it badly but had no chance of getting the
opportunity. So in September 2004, I left Germany and decided to spend the next six months in Kutch. I volunteered for the Indian
non-governmental organization called Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan.
I taught conversational English to the NGO workers each morning. In the afternoon, I traveled to Bhujodi, a Harijan village. This is
home to one of the most artistically-gifted weaver groups in India. I taught the younger generation of weavers. A group of artisans
come to the classes from a nearby Khatri Muslim village called Ajarakhpur. These are the famous Ajrakh block printers. I taught spoken English to these absolute beginners so that they could communicate directly with buyers from Europe and the United States.
Moreover, speaking in English allows them to compete on a common playing field in a globalized world and not get manipulated by
unscrupulous middlemen.
In the global free market economy in which Coca Cola Inc. can come into a village in India, buy out the local water supply and sell
it back to the village, or in which multinational pharmaceutical companies can patent ancient ayurvedic medicines that have been used
by locals tribes for millennia criminal activity in the name of "free trade" is rampant. For global giants like IKEA (which has set up
four competing offices in India just to squeeze the lowest possible price out of sellers), the very concept of fair trade is anathema to
them. Therefore, on the one hand, teaching English to NGO lawyers is rewarding because they can fight these multinationals in court.
On the other hand, teaching artisans how to cope with globalization (largely forced onto them) makes me believe in the ability of social work to improve the lives of simple people a societys outcasts living in appallingly poor conditions.
My second goal in Kutch was to explore this undiscovered world. I traveled extensively across Kutch, from historic port cities like
Lakhpat and Mandvi to Kala Dungar, Dhinodhar, and Narayan Sarovar, one of the five holy rivers of Hinduism. When you volunteer
in Kutch, you can discover so many hidden gems. For example, I had no idea Kutch had its own currency up until Indian independence. And when the Mughal Emperor Jehangir tried to exact tribute from Kutch (like he did from the Gujarat sultanate), there was significant opposition! The Maharao (ruler) of Kutch said to Jehangir that if Muslims are allowed safe passage from Kutch to Mecca,
then Kutch should be exempted from paying tribute to Delhi. To this bold declaration from Kutch, Jehangir acquiesced! This unique
historical fact truly depicts the proud, independent and daring nature of Kutchi people, something I truly admire about my heritage.
I thought I would feel a sense of giving when I started my work in Kutch. However, I have gained so much more than I could have
imagined from my time over there.
If you have the slightest desire to spend some time in Kutch, dont hesitate. If you have any questions contact me at saleens@gmail.
com and research the organizations listed here.
Saleen Shah is an EFL teacher from New York City. His father, Talaxi, is a psychiatrist and his mother, Meeta, is a Montesorri
school teacher. They reside in Chatham, New Jersey. His sister Pia works for a non - profit media arts organization in San Francisco.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kachchh Nav Nirman Abhiyan (Abhiyan) is a network of 28 NGOs spread across Kachchh. As the foremost organization in postearthquake Kachchh, it has become a coordinating point between NGOs as well as a forum for advocacy and policy recommendations
to the state and federal governments. It has been involved predominantly in disaster management in Kachchh, which has seen two cyclones, three droughts, and an earthquake in the last five years. Today, its main function is to reduce problems that affect a region
which faces continuous droughts, severely low health standards and lack of access to health and primary education. Please visit www.
kutchabhiyan.net for more information.
Kachchh Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS) is a collective of women from over 150 villages in the Kachchh district of Gujarat. For
more information on what you can do, please email Utkantha Dholakia at u.d@rediffmail.com
Khamir - Craft Resource Center in Bhuj maintains and enhances the crafts of Kachchhi people especially women, and helps empower
them so that their craft tradition is preserved and enriched, and their crafts contribute to their livelihood and income. For mo re information, please email crc@kutchabhiyan.net
Embassy CES is an institute for EFL teacher training. For more information, visit www.studygroup.com/embassyces/teachers/
programmes/celta.asp

Page 8

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

KACHCHHI YOUTH ASSOCIATION (KYA)

Board of Youth Directors:
Officers:
President:
Region 8: DE,E.PA,NJ.
Sachin Visharia
(732) 985-4716
svisaria@lucent.com
Vice-President:
Region 11: Canada
Paulomi Gudka (416) 299-3627
Paulomi99@yahoo.com
Secretary:
Region 3: AR,KS,LA,MO,OK,TX.
Shekhar Shah
(512) 891-9390
shahshekhar@hotmail.com
Treasurer:
Region 5: AL,FL,GA,MS,TN.
Nepali Shah
(901) 757-2625
Nepalis@hotmail.com
Public Relation Chair:
Region 4: IL,IN,IA,MN,NE,ND,SD WI
Bella Satra
(708) 672-9375
b-satra@nwu.edu
Technology Chair
Open.

Dear members of the Kachchhi community,

Regional Youth Directors:

Region 1: AZ,CO,HI,NM,SO.CA,UT.Mexico
Ajay Shah
(562) 947-7018
ajaycshah@yahoo.com
Region 2: AK,ID,MT,NV,NO.CA,OR,WA,WY.
Rinki Dedhia
(408) 777-0438
rddedhia@ucdavis.edu
Region 6: KY,MI,OH,W.PA,WV.
Nisha Dedhia
(517) 214-8599
Dedhiani@msu.edu
Region 7: MD,NC,SC,VA,Wa.DC.
Suchita Gala
(703) 307-5505
suchita_gala@yahoo.com
Region 9: NY
Neil Chheda
(516) 829-3603
neil18@optonline.net
Region 10: CT,ME,MA,NH,RI,VT.
Archana Savla
(617) 879-9781
arch1679@aol.com

3. Youth Websitethe site is undergoing a re-design and will be accessible from the Kojain
website. It will include the Youth Database, message boards, info on upcoming events and several other cool features to get involved and get connected, so stay tuned for that. If you would like
to help out with this, please email Rajesh Shethia at rajshethia@hotmail.com.

Past Youth Representative Director:

Chirag Shah
(979) 268-9026
chiragshah1@yahoo.com
Advisory Committee:
Chairperson: Kalyanji Mota
Members: Dr. Prem Gada,
Dhiraj Gosar

5.

Jai Jinendra. As the Kojain Youth Board begins the second half of our term, it has become clear
that while the Kachchhi youth spirit is alive and well locally, we are not quite as linked nationally.
In order to keep our rich heritage flourishing among youths, our goals and projects are guided by
the philosophy of getting interconnected. Yo ur help with this is vital, and we strongly encourage
you to pass this information along to your children.
Here are the projects currently on our agenda:
1. The Youth Listserv the BEST way to connect with other youths (ages 15-30), partic ipate in
online discussions and receive info about upcoming events. Parents please forward this link to
your children so that they can get on the listserv. This is a key part of getting active in the Kachchhi youth community.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KOJAIN_Youths/
2. Online Youth Databasein keeping with the theme of getting interconnected, we are creating a database that will include information on an individuals career, major, university, hobbies,
etc. in addition to contact information. So if you or your children had a question about college
admissions, a particular major, or you wanted career advice, there are members of the Kachchhi
community who want to help you out. This is a great way to network! The database is set to
launch in early May and only those who submit information, will have access to the information.
To get on this database, you MUST sign up to be on the Youth Listserv.

4. Potential Convention in 2006the Youth Board is researching the possibility of hosting a

Kojain Sammelan in 2006. The project is in the pre-planning stages (nothing definitive yet) but
were looking for volunteers to offer insight/suggestions and help with the legwork. This is a
GREAT way for youths to meet and get to know other Kachchhis from across the country!
Committees and Leads
Site Committee-Nisha Jain
Marketing-Bella Satra
Finance Committee-Sachin Visaria, Vinit Shah
Fundraising-Nisha Dedhia
Food Committee-Lakin Haria
Registration Committee-OPEN
Web/Technology- OPEN
Activities Programming-Mittal Chheda
Administration- Paulomi Shah, Suchita Gala, Sachin Visaria Social Committee- OPEN
Theres a lot to do and we welcome your talents and ideas. For questions/comments or to get involved, send us an email at kojainyouthboard@yahoo.com.
We would also appreciate it if you would take a few minutes and give us some feedback on an
online survey. This way we can ensure that the planning of the Convention best suits the Kachchhi community at large. Thank you!
http://www.etaxonline.com/yjp/KOJAIN_ConvSurvey.asp

Getting Involved in Kachchhthe best way to maintain our culture here, is to revisit the roots of our culture in India. On
the website we shall post upcoming events and philanthropic opportunities for youths to go to Kachchh and get involved
directly. Saleen Shah, one such Kachchhi who is giving back to the community, tells about his rewarding experience
in the following narrative . (His story see on page 7)

As always, thank you for supporting and guiding our efforts. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at kojainyouthboard@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
The Kojain Youth Board
To talk to a specific member of the board, contact:
President: Sachin Visaria, svisaria@lucent.com, Vice-President: Paulomi Gudka, paulomi99@yahoo.com, Communications:
Bella Satra, bellasatra@yahoo.com

Page 9

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

Kojain Membership Form

Name: ______________
____________________ _
______________________________________________________________________________________
Last

First

Middle

Spouse's name: _____________________

Spouse's email:________________@_________________

First

Address:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Street

Phone: (

State

)___________________ Fax: (

Zip

)_______________________

Your Profession/Occupation:______________________________________________________________________
Company Name

Spouse's Profession/Occupation __________________________________________________________________

Company Name

Your Village in Kachchh/Other: __________________

Spouses Village in Kachchh/Other: _______________
Your Education:________________________________________________________________________________
Degree

Yr. Received

Major

University/College

Spouse's Education: _____________________________________________________________________________

Degree

Yr. Received

Major

University/College

Childrens Name: If children are married show (M).

1)__________________ (Year Born) ______ 2)___________________ (Year Born) _______
3)__________________ (Year Born) ______ 4) ___________________ (Year Born) _______
Other family members living with you. 1) _______________________________________________________
2) _______________________________________________________
[ ] Family Life membership (US $250)

[ ] Individual Life Membership (US $200)

[ ] Family 2-year membership ( $40)

[ ] Individual 2- year membership (US) $30

Special Note: _________________________________________________________________________

We urge every KOJAIN family to send the duly completed form to maintain KOJAIN Database. Help us make the databse as complete as possible. If you know any KOJAIN families not included in the KOJAIN published Directory, please
encourage them to submit this form by giving them a copy of this form.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Signed by: ___________________________________

Date:

_______________

Join KOJAIN organization as a life member or for a two-year term. Please make your check payable to KOJAIN

Please mail the above form completely filled to the secretary of KOJAIN.:

Dami Rambhia, 66 Ruff Circle, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Page 10
Change Of Addresses: Update your Directory
California (Northern):

1.

2.

Atul Shah
2061 SW 189th Ave.
Aloha, OR 97006.
Ph: 503-649-3845
Purvi Rambhiya
1177 Californis Street # 1214
San Francisco, CA 94108

California (Southern):

3.

Parin Kenia
3601 Parkview Lane, Apt. 25B
Irvine, CA. 92612
Ph.: 949-387 5066
Florida:
4. Shah Dhanji & Prabha
1302 Lake Lucrene Way #203
Brandon, FL. 33511
Georgia:
5. Gala Umesh & Sony
2814 Clearwater Terrace
Conyers, GA 30013
6. Shah Pallavi
3671 Roxfields Dr..
Buford, GA. 30518
7. Chhadva Lalit
5201 Browns Bridge Rd.
Gainsville, GA.30504
Illinoise:

8.

Hamendra & Hansa Momaya

100 John M. Boor Dr.
Gilberts, Il. 60136
9. Chhadwa Shantilal & Nirmala
16140 Kingsport Road
Orland Park IL. 60467
(708) 403-5610
10. Chheda Parag Deepa
1231 Spaulding Rd.
Bartlett, IL. 60103
(630) 289-6861
11. Chheda Rubin Ami
901 S. Ashland Ave Apt # 517
Chicago, IL. 60607
(312) 933-0054

Volume 10, Kojain Newsletter Issue 1, April 2005

Illinoise (Cond):

12. Dedhia Sunil & Lakshmi

2350 North Kedzie Ave. # M
Chicago, IL. 60647
(773) 235-5302
13. Dedhia Vipul & Angela
11047 W. 72nd Street
Indian Head Park, IL. 60525
(708) 784-9425
14. Ganger Mayur & Neelam
5900 W. Crain Avenue
Morton Grove, IL. 60053
(847) 581-0448
15. Shah Bhavesh & Dovile
2301 Bicendennial Dr. Apt 7
Crest Hill, IL. 60435
(815) 725-0120
16. Shah Chandrakant
1512 E. Burberry Lane
Schaumburg, IL. 60173
(847) 619-9313
17. Shah Hiren
5451 N.East River Rd. Apt 1407
Chicago, IL. 60656
(773) 209-2457
18. Shah Hitesh & Utika
216 Chesterfield Court, Unit 6B
Schaumburg, IL. 60103
(847) 798-8015
19. Vyas Ashis h & Purvi
1805 W. Golf Rd. #113
Mount Prospect, IL. 60056
(847) 758-0319
Kentucky:
20. Nilesh & Nayna Sangoi
3301 wilson lane
Owensboro Ky 42303
Tel : 270 689 1418
Massachusetts:

21. Siddharth Lodaya'

82 South Maple St, Unit#24
Westfield, MA 01085
Minnesota:

22. Rachana Visaria

1040 6th St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612-379 4543

Nebraska:

23. Rawat Shital

12618 Camden Ave.
Omaha NE. 68164
New Jersey:

24. Gada Deepak & Deepal

162 Terrace Court
Ponpton, NJ 07442
Ph.: (973) 835-4019
deepalgada@hotmail.com
New Mexico:
25. Shethia Rajesh & Jainisha
10300 Golf Course Road NW, Apt 404

Albuquerque, NM 87714
Phone: 281-773-2348
New York:

26. Nirav H. Gala

392,Kimball Drive
Rochester, NY-14623
Ph.: 585-424-8715
Texas:

27. Puja Gogri & Nirav Shah

632 Quail Lane
Coppell, Texas 75019
28. Rajan and Shweta shah
7821 La Guardia Drive
Plano, TX 75025
29. Sameer Savla
1007 Ashford Lane # 15302,
Arlington TX 76006
30. Shah Dinesh J & Prabha
1530 Balboa Lane
Allen, TX 75002
Phone: 214-547-0535
Wisconsin:

31. Gala Mahendra & Prafulla

1625 34th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53144
(262) 595-0377
32. Gala/Seck Nisha
2929 Fish Hatcery Rd, Apt 220
Madison, Wi . 53713
(608) 442-8608

We would like to maintain address/phone changes/corrections on our KOJAIN website for those listed in our current KOJAIN directory.
We also welcome those whose names/addresses are not listed in the current directory if they wish to have their names/mailing addresses/phone numbers added on our KOJAIN website. Please notify Dami Rambhia of all such changes/corrections/additions.

From: Dami Rambhia (KOJAIN)

66 Ruff Circle
Glastonbury, CT. 06033-1439