Lohana Community North London ::: LCNL



Lohana Union London was formed on 3rd January 1971 for servicing the needs of all our members in London. It gradually became dear, however, that creating smaller and more manageable geographical units would enhance communication with members and efficiency of operation. Hence, in 1976, Lohana Community East, West, South and North London were established under the umbrella organisation, Lohana Union Greater London.

Lohana Community North London (LCNL) was formed on 12th December 1976 when the first elections were held under the new Constitution. Shri Kishorbhai Devani was elected President and four other officers (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Social Secretary) were -elected together with 10 committee members

1976 - 1978
LCNL organised several social events including two Gujarati plays, coach and boat trips, Navaratri celebrations and a "Business Dinner". A lot of effort also went into preparing our entry for the Raas Garba Competition in August 1977. The number of subscribing members of the Community was low due to difficulties in collecting subscriptions. However, apart from several Annual Members, 22 Life Members were enrolled. A magazine was published and efforts were made to obtain premises for our Community for the first time.

1978 - 1980
Elections for the second year were held in March 1978 when Shri Kantibhai Masrani was elected President. The committee contributed substantially to the formation of the Lohana Community of the Unitrd Kingdom (LCUK) when one of our members, Shri Balubhai Radia was elected its first President. We formed closer links with our parent body in India, the Lohana Mahaparishad.

In addition to the social activities of the previous year the LCNL committee: also organised a Sports Day for our youth. Four editions of our Community's magazine were published during the year and Life Membership figures increased nominally.

Shri Kantibhai Masrani continued to serve as President during 1979/80. In addition to the usual activities, efforts were made to provide opportunities for young people to meet and socialise with a view to making choices about their future life partners. The problems of finding suitable premises for our Community were also tackled and a number of properties were viewed but none were found suitable for our needs.

1980 - 1982
Shri Navinbhai Thakerar took over the reins for the following two terms - 1980/81 and 1981/82. The" new look" committee organised several joint ventures with the YLA. They organised successful: events like the Navaratri Festival, Sports Festival and an Immigration Seminar. They won prizes at LCUK Raas Garba competitions and made contributions to the mayor of Brent's Fund for the Blind and to the United Nations Disabled Fund. Regular Newsletters were published for the first time in addition to the magazines. Membership figures also showed a good rise.

In the second year, they were able to produce a "Business and Professionals" directory of our Community and won six trophies at the LCUK Raas Garba Competition in October 1981. Membership continued to rise and classes in Gujarati were introduced for our children.

1982 - 1983
During Shri Dhanjibhai Tanna's year as President in 1982/3 a comprehensive membership list was compiled and Gujarati classes were introduced on a firm footing for our children at Claremont High School. Attempts were made to find suitable premises for our Community and a Building Sub-committee was set up. At their recommendation, the Executive Committee established the "Raghuvanshi Charitable Trust".

The task of the Trust was to find suitable premises, raise finances to purchase it and institute a machinery to maintain it. Membership continued to rise and several social programmes including a successful Diwali Dinner and a lively debate were organized. Finally, constitutional links with Lohana Union Greater London were severed and a Special Geneneral Meeting adopted a new independent Constitution on 20th February 1983. The new Executive Committee included the Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Social Secretary and the Membership Secretary, the Immediate Past-President and the Immediate Past Secretary. The Y.L.A. was accepted as an affiliated Youth Organisation with two representatives on the Executive Committee

1983 - 1985
Shri Popatbhai Ruparelia presided over LCNL affairs for the next two years - 1983/84 and 1984/85. In the first year, substantial funds for charity were raised including £5,000 for Saurashtra flood relief. The first ever Charity Walk raised £5,500 for medical equipment at Northwick Park Hospital and for the Charity appeals of the Mayors of Harrow a Brent.

We won six trophies at the LCUK Raas Garba Competition. Life Membership figures shot up from 314 to 526. A highly successful Diwali Dinner was organised at London West Hotel for the first time. The Constitution was amended to include the election of two R.C. T. Trustees and to open a new Life Membership Account to; safeguard membership funds. The finest hour of this committee was the acquisition of Bedford College Sports Club premises and seven acres playing fields on 29th March 1984 - the R.C. T. premises.

In the second year the momentum generated by the first was maintained. We hosted the LCUK delegates conference in May 1984. A very successful variety programme by Rang Bahar, a group from India was organised.

We won several trophies at Raas Garba competitions and Life Membership jumped to 732. Several charitable donations were made from special projects. A charity walk raised over £7,000 for the Roayl National Orthopaedic Hospital Spinal Unit. Over £6,000 was raised at Diwali Dinner for the victims of the Bhopal gas disaster.

A contribution of £3,000 was made to the R.C.T and funds were also raised for Ethiopian Famine relief and the YLA Sports Festival. Life membership subscription was raised from £25 to £40. The R.C.T Interim Trustees appointed a technical sub-committee to prepare and submit plans for a modern sports complex at R.C.T.The council unfortunately turned these down. The Trustees handed over to the LCNL the day-to-day management of R.C.T premises.

1985 - 1986
Shri Shantoobhai Ruparell was elected President for 1985/86 and the Community continued to make progress. Our Gujarati classes improved in quality with over 140 pupils and 7 teachers. In addition, classes in Kathak Dance and Harmonium were successfully introduced. We sponsored from the Bhopal Fund two chest physiotherapists from Brompton Hospital to train staff and treat patients at Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal.

They also took with them a host of medical equipment. Life Membership continued to rise and reached 892. We presented a Gujarati play and a dance ballet" Narsaiyo" - both of which went down very well. We donated £501 each to Gujarati Sahitya Academy and to Bhanji Nirashrit Fund in India - as well as £1,000 to the Young Lohana Association. A massive Lottery Project collected £17,000 for R.C.T. and reduced our overdraft substantially.

1986 - 1987
Shri Himatbhai Radia took over the Presidency in March 1986. A very successful pair of cultural programmes - the first by Harshida Rawal and the second by Shiv Kumar Sharma - both highly acclaimed international artistes - was organised. In order to meet the needs of our very large membership, a bold project of holding Navratri celebrations in a marquee at R.C.T. grounds was undertaken - and was a resounding success. A massive Lohana Census project was launched in September. Two plays in Gujarati were sponsored at the Bhavan, which were well attended.

The Gujarati classes continued to expand to cater for 180 children. For the first time, a Saraswati Sanman programme to felicitate 30 students and other members achieving qualifications in various fields, was organised, which was highly, appreciated by the Community members. Donations of £2,393 to RCT, £5,563 to Saurashtra draught relief and £501 to Harefield Hospital were made. Finally, an elaborate 10th Anniversary programme was organised in conjunction with the Mayor's Charity. Plaques were presented to the LCNL Presidents of the last 10 years and over 2000 members enjoyed the cultural items. .

1987 - 1988
Shrimati Kokiben Wasani was elected President in March 1987. Our Gujarati classes crossed the 200 mark to reach a figure of 225 pupils. We had a number of musical concerts by Pamela Singh, Shukla sisters, Ashit and Hema Desai and Nirmal Udhas. Trips to Alton Towers, Blackpool illuminations and temples in London were organised. The Membership crossed the 1000 mark to reach 1027. We hosted the LCUK Delegates Conference and donated £2,728 to Saurashtra Relief Fund. We presented a Gujarati play "Alpaviram" which was very successful.

1988 - 1989
Shri Jayantilal Tanna presided over LCNL activities during 1988/89. The first LCNL Directory of nearly 7,000 Lohanas in North London was published. We supported the SATYAVAN SAVITRI project of LCUK and helped in making it a huge success~ Life Membership figure increased to 1090 and our Gujarati classes continued to prosper attracting 260 pupils. A seminar by Family Guidance Committee was very useful ways forward in the field of introductions, marriages and maintaining family values.

For the first time, a programme dedicated to Gandhiji was celebrated on his birth anniversary. We hosted LCUK's SARASWATI SANMAN programme, which involved 122 Lohana graduates from all over the country, and was a resounding success. We donated £1,500 to RCT and £2,679 to other charities.

1989 - 1980
Shri Kantilal Chandarana was elected president for 1989/90. The first Mela held at RCT was highly successful and the proceeds of £7000 were donated to RCT to help reduce the deficit in running costs. The Gujarati school activities continued to proper with 270 children on roll. 'Shakuntala' dance drama and the play produced by the Bhavan 22 crore 66 Lakh and hosted by us proved very popular. Vani Jayram's concert was well appreciated.

Two programmes of family get-together and a Raas Garba competition were organised successfully to create new opportunities for prospective partners to meet. We fully support LCUK during their 10th Anniversary programme at Watford Town Hall. All Diwali Programmes proved very popular. Charitable donations of £989 were made to a number of charities. Life membership went up to 1133 members.

1990 - 1991
Shri Chandubhai Rughani was elected President for the year 1990 - 1991. A highly successful Dashera Festival was held to raise £7,700 for RCT. New activities -like Tulsi Vivah, Yamunastak and Sunderkand Path proved popular. We hosted the 12th LCUK Delegates Conference successfully.. Gujarati music and dance classes continued in popularity and the Diwali Party attracted 600 parents and children.Sixteen pupils passed GCSE examinations with high grades and 90 passed the Gujarati Academy Examination. A sum of £609 was given in donations. Life Membership went up to 1177 members.

1991 - 1992
Shri Dhanjibhai Tanna's was elected President for the year 1991 - 1992. The Mela festival was very popular and raised over £7,000 for the R.C. T. In addition the Madhuvan Raas Lila programme contributed a further £2,000 to RCT. A colourful and informative Diwali publication of Raghuvanshi succeeded in generating considerable advertising revenue. The Janmashtami, Navaratri and Diwali events were successfully organised. The Mahila events especially Raas Garba and Sangeet Katha were popular as ever. Harrow Council granted planning permission for the development of RCT premises.

1992 - 1994
Shri Prabhudas Kotecha was elected President for 1992/93. The Mela was again a big success with the members. Janmashtami, Navaratri and Diwali functions were organised successfully. Two further social programmes to promote opportunities for meeting prospective partners were arranged. These were very well attended and resulted in successful outcomes for at least 12 couples. The Mahila functions again were well organised and a well deserved success.

Shri Prabhudas Kotecha continued as President for another year. A Gujarati comedy play" Lagne Lagne Kunvara" by Bhavan was well received by members. The Mela festival was blessed by Indira Betiji and enjoyed by all. Some seminars on stress management were organised. A sports day was held at Bricketwood Centre. The RCT building project gathered pace and a contract for £320,000 was signed with the builders. Generous well-wishers pledged substantial donations. A number of charitable donations amounting to nearly £2,500 were made. A contribution of £2,000 was made to the RCT. Further efforts were made to facilitate introductions for youths seeking partners. The Life Membership figure went up to 1298. An interest free loan of £35,000 to RCT was agreed.

1994 - 1995
Shri Jamnadas Raithatha was elected President for the year 1994 - 1995. Many of the social events were organised with Mahila members. The Mela festival was staged over 2 days and was an excellent example of contribution, participation and success. 7We acted hosts to 7 students from South India for five weeks, which was deeply appreciated. A Sports Day held at Bricketwood attracted 250 youths.

The Life Membership number went up to 1318. Charitable donations of £1,600 were made. A contribution of £2,000 was made to RCT. A colourful Diwali edition of "Raghuvanshi II proved very popular and generated valuable advertising income. The RCT repaid a part of the loan reducing the outstanding amount to £15,000.

1995 - 1997
Shri Narendrabhai Thakrar was elected President for the year. The newly completed RCT building was opened with great fanfare oh 7th May 1995. Navaratri festival was held at a new venue the Brentford Leisure Centre and was extremely successful and popular. The other social events included Ram Navami, Janmashtami and Diwali.

A social centre for retired men was 'started at RCT providing a reading room, periodicals, and audio and videocassette library and table games. This proved popular with a membership of over 50 people. A well-organised two-day sports programme was most successful attracting 450 participants. The 2-day Mela festival included an open-air cultural festival and a host of stalls.

Charitable donations of nearly £2000 were made. In addition, a contribution of £5,000 was made to the RCT. Life Membership figure went up to 1369. The number of pupils at the Gujarati School was stated to be 36.

The Diwali issue of the 'Raghuvanshi" was yet another hit with advertisers and readers alike. The three-day Sports Festival in August again attracted 450 participants: Events organised by Mahila including the play" Dada Ho Dikri" and "108 Deep Havan" were well attended. A caretaker was appointed at RCT and the premises became fully functional once again.

1997 - 1999
Shri Kiritbhai Karia became the President for 1997/98. Two major events of the year were the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha and the Diwali Milan both held at the RCT and attended by a very large number of members. This year, the sun shone brightly at the Mela making it a resounding success once again. The number of pupils at the Gujarati School increased to 50.

The social centre continued with its mixture of healthy, sporting and relaxing activities in an atmosphere of tranquility and warmth. Charitable donations of about £900 were made. The RCT received £5000 as a contribution from LCNL and YLA received nearly £1,400. The Life Membership figure went up to 1490; The Constitution was amended to include formation of Mahila Mandal under the umbrella of LCNL.

Shri Kiritbhai Karia was re-elected to serve as President for the second year. The year started with a very well attended programme of Bhajans at Kadwa Patidar hall. .jalaram jayanti was another new event in addition to the successful Janmashtami, Navaratri and Diwali Milan. The splendidly decorated "Annakot" was a tribute to the expertise and dedication of our Mahilas.

The senior ladies organised an excellent musical performance by Shri Parshottam Upadhayay and Hansaben Dave. Life Membership figures went up to 1549.

Bereavement Group was set up by the social centre to support the affected community members during the difficult mourning period in their lives. Charitable donations of over £2000 were made to Lohana Mahajan Dhoraji and the Gujarat Cyclone Relief Fund. A contribution of £5000 was made to the RCT.

1999 - 2000
Shri Narendrabhai Kotecha was elected President for the year. A stimulating seminar on 'Lohana Community in the 21st Century' was organised and highly appreciated by many. In order to help families of the bereaved, arrangements were made with Harrow Leisure Centre to hire Mansfield Hall for prayer meetings. Life Membership went up to 1617 and the annual membership was increased to £10. The Sports Festival continued to be successful. Charitable donations of nearly £7,000 were made.

A contribution of over £6,000 was made to the RCT. It was clarified that £15000 was an interest free loan to the RCT. Unfortunately, Harrow Council imposed strict restrictions on the use of RCT premises. This ruling restricted many of our activities, and a search for alternative premises began.

At the same time, there was increasing support for the unification of RCT and LCNL to serve the needs of the Community as a whole. We made vigorous attempts to purchase another property but were unsuccessful. The Life Membership went up to 1674. Charitable donations of nearly £3,700 were made. A contribution of £4,000 was made to the RCT. Nearly £32,000 was collected for the Gujarat Relief Fund and nearly a half was given in charity to relieve victims of the draught.

2001 - 2002
Shri Kantibhai Devani was elected President for the year 2001/2002, The year's routine pro- grammes of Bhajans, Janmashtami, and Jalaram Jayanti went well, The Christmas Dinner & Dance, Sports festival and a Mehfil on Boat provided excitement and entertainment The larger events namely the Mela, Navratri, Chopda Poojan and Diwali were very well organised and passed off without a hitch, The Life membership figure went up to 1729,

A concentrated effort was made to unify RCT and LCNL constitutionally. A Special General Meeting of the Patrons held on 15th July 2001 agreed to give voting rights to LCNL members. The SGM also agreed that half of the eight elected trustees need not be patrons. A Special General Meeting of LCNL on the 16th September 2001 resolved to recommend that the community should not consider selling of the RCT Centre as an option until such time that a new Community Centre was firmly established.

And further that all donors be assured that in the event the RCT Centre is disposed of at a future date their original donations would be recognised in the Scheme of Things for the new Community Centre. The SGM authorised the Executive Committee to accept the responsibility of taking over the administration of the RCT Centre if the Board of Trustees took action to have the labeling eliminated of trustees as patrons/non patrons

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