Jain Heritage and Beyond

Author(s): Shailesh Shah
Publisher: Oshwal Associations of The UK

Page 12

Derasar Project Chairman's Message
Dhirajlal Devraj Karania
Jai Jinendra, Pranam
The Executive Committee bestowed a great honour on me in 2002 by making me the Chairman of the Deraser Project Sub-Committee. Although it was a mammoth challenge I accepted it with full understanding of what was involved and what personal sacrifices I may have to make. I knew that Bhagwan Mahavir's and the other Tirthankars' blessings were with me.
Work on the Deraser had commenced with the important ceremonies of September 1997. However, after the pouring of the concrete for the foundation in 1999, the work just came to a standstill. Immediately upon my appointment I set about putting together the professional team that would see us through to the finale of this important and prestigious project.
I am proud to say that with the help of Rajeshbhai Sompura (Temple Architect in India), Mr. Mahesh Doshi who headed Cyrill Sweett Ltd. (the lead consultants in the U.K. for managing the project), Mr. Mark Herbert (U.K. based Architect from Ansell and Bailey), Mr. David Wareham (Structural Engineer) and the local U.K. contractors, Lodge and Co., we have achieved our dream in what can only be classed as a "world record time".
During the course of the last couple of years I have had to spend a lot of time in India, away from home, and I must express my sincere gratitude to my wife and family for their unstinting sacrifice and support in helping me to make my task as easy as possible by making the least demands on my time for themselves.
My special thanks to both Manubahi Raishi Shah and Sobhagbhai Narshi Shah, our two wonderful Administrators, at Oshwal Centre. Their assistance and support has been truly remarkable and without them things would definitely have been much harder for me.
Our dream has been achieved. Apart from those I have already mentioned above a considerable contribution to the success has been from my colleagues on the Executive Committee, the Area Committees and all the Volunteers who have time and again made all the various events very successful.
Jai Oshwal
Dhirajlal Devraj Karania Chairman - Deraser Project Sub-Committee
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