________________
Chapter 29. Education and Extracurricular Activities
169
The delegates from Mombasa, Moshi, Kisumu, and Eldoret came by train; from Thika, Sabasaba, Karatina, Nanyiuki, and Limuru they came by cars. Some delegates came early; others came on the day of the conference.
Friday April 11, 1941 was a milestone in the history of the Visa Oshwal community. For the first time representatives of all the community centers got together to work for the development and uplift of fellow community members.
The opening day of the meeting was April 11, 1941. The conference started at the appointed time, 4 PM in Jainshala hall in Nairobi under the chairmanship of Popatlal Karman Malde, then president of Nairobi Visa Oshwal community. Delegates from every community were present. The hall was packed to capacity with people filled with joy, enthusiasm and anticipation. The conference lasted for three days. Everyone attending was very enthusiastic. There were various topics presented at length in the president's speech. Many burning issues were discussed with many useful suggestions from the participants. Many resolutions were passed. Education was a very important part of the agenda for the coming and future generations. Since the rainfall and natural disasters in the homeland were unpredictable, provision for future relief also seemed to be a priority. A resolution to create a central organization was put forward. This was accepted and passed unanimously by all the delegates. The name of the organization selected was the "Oshwal Education and Relief Board". The authority of the Board was to be limited to matters related to education and relief funds. The Board was mad up of 21 representatives from all the Oshwal communities from different places. The first president of the Board elected was the able and deserving person Popatlal Karman Malde and as the secretary Raichand Karamshi Shah. A subcommittee was appointed to draft the constitution for the newly formed organization. The administration of large funds was delegated to the Board.
