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Part IV. Rise and Glory
Philemon K. Chelagate, the chairman of the town council of Cabernet accepted the school on behalf of the town.
Kisumu: Devchand Khimchand Kachra Gudhka of Navagam was the first Oshwal to settle in Kisumu. In 1924 A.D, Devchandbhai joined the Wali Hasan Company in Kisumu as an accountant. In 1925 A.D., he left the employment and started his own shop in Kisumu. He helped any new Oshwals who came to Kisumu to find a job or start a business. In 1930 A.D., Devchandbhai set up the first Oshwal business in Kisi.
In 1931 A.D., by the efforts of Fulchand Keshavji and Devchand Khimchand the Visa Oshwal Jain Community Mandal of Kisumu was started. The name was changed to Visa Oshwal Community in 1944 A.D. Devchandbhai was active in volunteer work for society and was an executive committee member of several political, business and educational associations in Kisumu.
A piece of land to build a mahajanwadi was acquired in 1948 A.D. The construction work on the community hall for the mahajanwadi was started in 1951 and the hall was opened in 1952 A.D. About 350 Oshwals live in Kisumu most of whom are industrialists and businessmen.
The Kisumu Oshwal community was always desirous of having a domed temple, which was built in a record time of one year and was officially opened on December 12, 2003.
Nyeri: Meghji Rupshi Dodhia of Navagam was a very active in volunteer work for the community. Meghjibhai was a very generous donor to the Visa Oshwal community mahajanwadi in Nyeri, which has a small Jain temple (ghar-derasar). The mahajanwadi was officially opened in 1952 A.D. Meghjibhai also made generous donations to several health, educational and religious organizations. He provided financial support for building an Asian wing
