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Part IV. Rise and Glory
collected which was put into the trust fund. The amount was not enough to either buy or built a new facility. Therefore a house was rented and renovated to provide the facilities for the travelers.
After the war came to an end (1919 A.D.) the monetary system changed from the rupee to the florin and soon to the shilling. People made a lot of profit in the money exchange. The balance in the trust fund increased due to currency fluctuations to 22,000 shillings after deducting all the expenses. As Nairobi had become the center of the community, the trust fund was transferred to Nairobi and a new committee was formed.
Mahajanwadi: The rented rest house had to be vacated as the owner had some other plans. There was also the need for a bigger place as more and more travelers were coming through Mombasa. In July 1927 A.D., the Mombasa community bought an empty lot of two acres for 50,000 shillings. The amount was withdrawn from the trust fund without the knowledge of the Nairobi committee. Relations between two committees became tense. As a result of mediation a compromise was reached with the conditions that the money for the remaining expenses would have to be paid by the Mombasa committee and that the entire Oshwal community of Kenya should retain the ownership of the property. A new committee of three trustees was formed. It consisted of one member from Mombasa, one from Nairobi and one from Thika. The collection of the funds for the mahajanwadi (community center) did not go well in the immediate phases because of the arrogant attitude of the Mombasa committee who refused to abide by the conditions imposed on them. Many businesses in Mombasa, which were branches of Nairobi businesses, refused to donate money. In 1930 A.D. Mombasa community had planned to make improvements to an old building built of galvanized iron sheet and build a perimeter wall around the premises. To facilitate social functions and community feasts, plans were prepared to
