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Chapter 32. Eminent Personalities
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He was a man of broad vision and a good judge of people. This is a quotation from a speech he once gave: "I came from a village years ago, I went abroad to earn my livelihood and by the grace of God I became successful in my business activities. But I appreciate that the money, which I have earned, is not just mine, but that of brothers and sisters of my own nation, and all the people have a share in it. I repay this share by giving financial help for public needs as far as I am able. In doing this I am not laying anyone under an obligation to me but am simply doing my duty".
The Chandaria family: The patriarchs of the Chandaria family were Premchand Popat, Maganlal Popat and Chaganlal Popat. They came from the village of Champa Beraja of Halar District. They came to Kenya in the early part of World War I. They started in business initially in partnership later on establishing their independent firm. Over the years the Chandaria family business flourished and expanded widely. At present they have branches all over the world. It can be easily said that, "the sun never sets on the Chandaria business empire'.
Their work in charity goes a long way back. Premchandbhai was the first to establish the Oshwal Jain temple in Jamnagar. Maganbhai was one of the original members of the famine relief fund committee formed in 1936 A.D., when the State of Saurastra was struck with a deadly famine. Since then the Chandaria family has never looked back. The Chandaria Family Trust financially supports many worthy causes with religious, social and educational aspects and to the cause of Gujarati literature. The Chandaria family has donated their bungalow in Jamnagar to the Shikshan ane Rahat Sangh.
Devchand Chandaria: He was one of the founder members of the Jain Youth League, which was started in 1935 A.D. in Nairobi. When he settled down in Mombasa he became actively involved in local politics. He even stood
