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CHAPTER 32
EMINENT PERSONALITIES
The Oshwal Sect is known for its righteousness, philanthropy, hospitality and bravery. These are the inherent characteristics of the Oshwal community wherever they reside. In East Africa and in India the Halari Visa Oshwal community had its own heroes. Most of them were ordinary people in almost every village and town.
There were three brothers Hemraj Hadha, Ramji Hadha and Premchand Hadha living in Nakuru with a wellestablished wholesale and retail business. These three brothers were known for their generosity and hospitality. Any stranger who happened to be in Nakuru was most welcome at their home for food and a place to sleep. They happened to be my cousin brothers whose support and encouragement were the principle factors for my success.
One incident I will never forget. During my school days I used to spend almost every summer vacation in Nakuru at their house. During one such vacation Hemrajbhai received a phone-call from Nairobi. A bridegroom party of around fifty people from Nairobi was going to Kisumu for wedding. Will they be willing to take food to the train station for the party? Hemrajbhai said yes. When it was time to give Hemrajbhai never said no. Kisumu is around three hundred miles from Nairobi. The only way a large party could go to Kisumu was to take the train. The train would leave Nairobi in the morning and reach Nakuru around six in the evening. The station was about two miles from their home. They did not own an automobile. The food had to be taken to station on foot. Their wives prepared tea and puffed up bread (Paratha) for the party. We, all the men of the family carried the tea and bread,
