________________
196
Part IV. Rise and Glory
walked two miles to the station and made sure that everyone in the party got enough to eat. Now this would never be possible without the support of the women of the house. I salute my three sisters in laws, Monghiben, Ratanben and Kasturben.
would like to stress to the reader that there were such men and women belonging to the Oshwal community in every large and small place in East Africa. Even though I was just a young boy I had experienced such hospitality in Kisumu, Njoro, Elbergen, Kitale, Mombasa, Limuru, Thika and Kikuyu. I can go on and on.
Such hospitality was not unique to East Africa. While I was in college in Mumbai in 1954 A.D., I had the opportunity to spend some time in my home village Changa during the summer vacation. We a group of five people, took a walking tour and visited about 12 villages of Halar. Our trip lasted about nine days. During all those nine days whether we knew people or not wherever we stayed we got the best hospitality from the village people.
Philanthropy is in the blood of Halaris. Many people gave money freely during the famine of 1936 A.D. There are many philanthropists like Raichand Jethalal Gudka, Devchand Khimchand Gudka and Hemraj Nathoo Gudka who donated substantial amount of money for Jamnagar boys' boarding house. The Virani (Nagda) Brothers, Lalji Nangpar and brothers, also gave large amount money for educational purposes. At present many well-to-do people have established trusts for good causes. But one person who stands out among all is Kachra Merag Shah.
In 1946 A.D. Kachra Merag Shah, who was a middle class businessman, donated the sum of 50,000 shillings for Nairobi boys' boarding house. This was almost all his wealth. This was not just a donation but also a sacrifice like the famous philanthropists Bhama Shah and Jagdu Shah. Those were billionaires while Khachrabhai was just
