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Part IV. Rise and Glory
A.D. The center is located on a large piece of land (24 acres) on Saat Rasta, which was donated to the Oshwal Shikshan ane Rahat Sangh (Education and Relief Organization). The Oshwal Center has two community halls and a guesthouse.
Mumbai (Bombay)
During the drought of 1895-1896 A.D. and the famine of 1899-1901 A.D., many Oshwals from Halar went to Mumbai because of the rapid expansion of commerce and industry that had started in the eighteen-eighties.
More and more people started settling down in Mumbai. Most opened small shops selling grains, spices, edible oils and other food items. The first Oshwal from Halar to settle in Mumbai was Devshi Jivraj Gudka from Navagam. In 1933 A.D., Gulabchand Meghji of Dabasang was the first to start an export and import business in Mumbai. The firm was named Premchand Gulabchand & Co. With hard work and honesty it soon gained a good reputation. Not only was he a good businessman but also a good writer and he had a great desire to do something for the community. He therefore started a news letter called Oshwal Abhuday in 1934 A.D., and made his younger brother, Liladhar, the editor. They wrote revolutionary articles, which brought about a social awakening among the Oshwal community of Mumbai. As usual they also had to face a lot of opposition and the publication did not last very long. He tried syndicating with a Cutchhi publication. That also failed.
As time passed some people started settling down in Mumbai. They saved enough money, bought small shops and started their own businesses. They asked family members in Halar to come and stay with them. Oshwals in Mumbai have made great progress. A large number are involved in export, import and manufacturing
