________________
71
4254
S
ALTE
LA
MR. DAVID WAREHAM
David was appointed as the Structural Engineer for the Deraser Project at Oshwal Centre and he has worked in a very efficient manner with the rest of the professional team.
Like the rest of the team in the U.K., it was also perhaps the first time for David to be involved in a project of this nature. It was a challenge that he took up very willingly especially when he was aware that no ferrous metals could be used anywhere for the construction of the Jain Temple.
Having ensured that the foundations that had been laid as far back in 1999 were all safe and met with the requirements he travelled to India to consult with the Indian Architect and to ensure that the materials to be used were not only of the best quality but were structurally safe and could stand the test of time.
David's contribution has been very significant towards ensuring that the new Jain Temple meets all the U.K. structural engineering requirements and will, as we expect, stand for hundreds of years to come as a place of pilgrimage for Jains from all over the world.
MR. RAJESH SOMPURA
Rajeshbhai is a young, but very energetic, Indian Architect specialising in the design and construction of Temples, both Hindu and Jain. He was originally recommended to the Association by Pujya Panyas Shree Vajrasenvijayji Maharajsaheb in as far back as 1996 when we first decided to embark on this project.
In 2003, when the Executive Committee decided to revive the stalled Deraser Project it was decided that the responsibility for the complete design of the temple, the sourcing and carving of the stone and marble in India, the shipping of the carved pieces and the assembly and fitting of these pieces should be given to Rajeshbhai.
The Jain Temple that has arisen before our eyes over the past two years bears witness to the fact that our faith in the ability of Rajeshbhai to deliver a magnificent and opulent home for our Tirthankars was very well placed. Rajeshbhai has worked very closely and effectively with the team of professionals in the U.K. and ensured that all issues were attended to promptly and satisfactorily.
A very pleasant personality who has also amazed us with his hospitality during the visits of the various members of the team and the Deraser Project Sub-committee to India. Rajeshbhai has also assisted us with matters that were not exactly a part of his contract. The most important of these relate to the help with the printing of the Invitations, the mailing of the invitations, the preparation and printing of this souvenir and the procurement of various items for use during the Pratishtha Mahotsav.
It has indeed been a pleasure to work with Rajeshbhai and we believe that this young Indian architect will add several more temples in the U.K. to his portfolio during the years
to come.
177
