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CHAPTER 33
ACHIEVEMENTS, AWARDS AND
HONORS
About 100 years ago Halari Oshwals were at the bottom of the pit. They were poor, illiterate and unsophisticated living in a rural area of the Navanagar State (Halar) which was one of the poor and underdeveloped regions in India. Today the members of this same community are one of the most highly educated and economically successful groups of Indians. This is because of hard work and perseverance, the traits they have inherited from their forefathers. They have continued the trend of moving to places where there are better opportunities to improve the quality of life. From Halar, they have migrated to other parts of India, to East Africa, the United Kingdom, the United Sates of America, Canada and Australia. They have been fortunate to have selfless, visionary leaders who devoted time, money and energy for the betterment of the community. Wherever they have ventured they have succeeded.
Commerce and Industry
In 1929 A.D., there were five leading Oshwal business houses; Hirji Kara Company, Meghji Ladha and Company, Premchand Brothers owned by the Premchand Popat Chandaria family, Premchand Raichand Company owned jointly by the families of Meghji Pethraj and Premchand Vrajpal, and Karman Mepa Company owned by the family of Karman Mepa Malde.
Hirji Kara Company was the first Oshwal-owned company that attempted to set up a factory in 1929 A.D. to manufacture aluminum cooking vessels. By the time the equipment imported from Germany arrived in Mombasa, Hirji Kara Company ran into financial difficulties and
