Our History

Since some of our ancestors landed in East Africa in the 1920s, the Vanzas were on the move between Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Mozambique, and the Comoro Islands. On 28th May 1942, Late Keshawji Ramji Borkhataria and Late Naranji Trikamji Tank took the initiative to call a meeting of all the Vanzas of Dar es Salaam at Late Harji Karsan Solanki’s shop and formed Shree Vanza Gnati Mandal.

The First Committee (1942)

The following were elected in the first committee of 1942:

• Chairman: Naranji Trikamji Tank

• Vice Chairman: Savji Ramji Borkhataria

• Secretary: Tulsidas Karsan Parmar

• Assistant Secretary: Savji Hirji Dodia

• Treasurer: Visram Kanji Sonigra

• Members:

  • Keshawji Ramji Borkhataria

  • Valji Sunderji Chohan

  • Harji Karsan Solanki

  • Nanji Khimji Parmar

  • Maganlal Lalji Borkhataria

It was later decided to include young volunteers in the first committee:

• Bachubhai D. Rathod

• Mohanlal Virji Solanki

• Purshottam Ramji Jethwa

• Ramji Valji Chohan

• Morarji Karsan Parmar

• Parmanand Ramji Bhadreswara

• Vanravan Maganlal Borkhataria

For the smooth operation and administration of the Mandal, all members contributed a small amount of money, and a total of Shs. 2043/50 was collected. The first-ever Mandal constitution was written and left for discussion in the general meeting.

The First Anniversary (1943)

The first anniversary of the Mandal was celebrated on 28th May 1943 by performing a variety program in which male and female members participated. The total cost of the program was Shs. 455/00.

The Vision for a Building (1945)

In 1945, the committee decided to have a building for the Mandal and looked for a freehold plot in the vicinity of the Hindu temples on Kisutu Street. For the ownership of the plot, the Mandal and the trustees were registered with the Registrar of Societies. The following were elected as the first trustees of the Mandal:

• Keshawji Ramji Borkhataria

• Nanji Khimji Parmar

The First Vanza Parisad (1945)

The first Vanza Parisad of East Africa was held in December 1945 at Mombasa. It was decided to send a delegation of 4 members from the Mandal, but due to financial constraints, only 2 members were sent. At the Parisad, our constitution was discussed and approved after some amendments.

Sub-Committee Formation (1946)

In 1946, a sub-committee was formed to deal with education, social welfare, and the construction of the Mandal’s building. The following were elected as members:

• Keshawji Ramji Borkhataria

• Naranji Trikamji Tank

• Jeram Mulji Chavda

• Velji Valji Chohan

The Yuvak decided to publish a quarterly magazine to inform all community members about the activities and social events related to the Mandal. The main committee gave their blessings. Yuvak gave their free time for collecting donations and dispatching circulars for Mandal meetings by going from shop to shop on Sundays. However, in 1948, the Yuvak protested against carrying out such activities.

Procurement of the Plot (1952)

In 1952, the building committee decided to buy the plot from the Chavda family. The formalities for the procurement of the plot from the administration general were finalized.

The following were elected as new trustees of the Mandal in the meeting of 13th November 1952:

• Keshawji Ramji Borkhataria

• Valji Trikamji Tank

• Anand Kara Solanki

The transfer registration of the plot in the name of Shree Vanza Gnati Mandal, along with the title deed, was received on 27th July 1953.

Foundation Stone and Building Inauguration (1956-1957)

Velji Valji Chohan volunteered for the design of the building. The foundation stone for the building was laid by Keshavji Daya Jethwa of Madagascar on 19th August 1956. The opening ceremony of the building was performed by Shrimati Liruben Harji Solanki, grandmother of Mohanlal Virji Solanki, on 2nd May 1957.

Hosting the Parisad (1968-1969)

In early 1968, it was decided by the Mandal to host the Parisad of Vanzas of East Africa in Dar es Salaam. A few sub-committees were formed for the implementation of the Parisad. The Parisad was held on 4th April 1969, and the chairman of the Mandal, Shree Mohanlal Virji Solanki, welcomed the delegation from various centers.

Expansion and Development (1974-1994)

A Prayer Hall and a small Temple of Shree Hingraj Mata and Guru Gopallal were built on top of the existing building in 1974. The Prathistha of Hingraj Mata and Guru Gopallal was performed on 13th September 1975. The present shed in steel structure and corrugated galvanized iron sheets in the backyard was constructed in 1983. The latest structure of the Kitchen Complex was built in 1994.