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Chapter 28. Activities in Rest of the World
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Due to internal conflicts and the egos of a few people, it took a long time to repair and build additional facilities at the Potters Bar property. The local council gave the community a deadline to start construction by 1985. The community lacked the funds to meet the deadline. Twentytwo generous people gave their personal guaranty for a loan of £350,000 from a bank. These twenty-two generous people had to suffer a personal loss of £95,000 in interest when the loan was being repaid.
To increase money in the general fund special tokens were ordered. £263,200 was collected from the sale of the tokens in the United Kingdom and Kenya. Three draws of tokens took place for the three important events associated with the construction of new facilities: the foundation stone laying ceremony for the multipurpose halls, the opening ceremony of the multipurpose halls and the opening of shrine (ghar derasar). The bank loan was repaid with the funds.
Jain Temple: The Kantilal Haria family performed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the temple under the supervision of Pujya (revered) Chitrabhanu on Easter Sunday April 11, 2004. The temple is going to be built at the cost of two million British pounds at Oshwal Center in Potters Bars, North London. This will be the first authentic Jain temple in England. The temple will be built on approximately ten acres of Greenfield site of Oshwal Center. It will be in the middle of landscaped gardens and walkways, which when viewed from the air represent the Jaina symbol of Triloka (the Cosmos). The walkways will be in the shape of a santhio (swastik). The symbol of Ahimsa (non-violence) will be represented in form of a mosaic pond at the base of Triloka.
Oshwal Association of U.K. is the parent organization for the following active Oshwal associations or branches in: East London and Essex Branch, North London, North East
