Bombay that we know today hasn't always been the commercial capital of India, it has come a long way since the tiny island was given away in dowry by the Portuguese to England. People who have lived there, have worked hard for their living and were enveloped in strong patriotic values, and amongst this environment was born yet another Lohana, who made a difference to the community, Shree Dayaljibhai on the 4th November, 1919.

Though born in Bombay, he spent most of his childhood in Raval, Saurashtra, where he did his primary schooling, and at the young and adventurous age of 16, he set sail by ship to land in Mombassa, East Africa, and then continued to travel by rail and road, to join some relatives and friends in Kamuli, a small township in Buosga district.

Not one to stay idle for long, he got a job as a salesman in a small shop, later moving on to join business with his brother, Devshibhai Jatania. A series of jobs saw him as a store supervisor at Madhavani Group at Kakira.

Before long, homesickness and an urge to serve his aging parents, made him travel back to India in 1944 and here he married Vrajkunvarben of Porbandar, a pious lady coming from a noble family of Bileshwar( famous for its Shiva Temple). They have parented one son and six daughters and now are the proud grandparents of several grandchildren.

After 10 years stay in India, in late 1955, Dayaljibhai travelled back to East Africa and this time joined the services of Ramisi Sugar Mills near Mombassa. In 1957 he moved to Nairobi serving East African Soap Factory, Breweries and Madhvani Group of Industries until in 1965 with the rich experience that Dayaljibhai had collected from his contact with various business concerns and using the little capital saved, he started his own business by the name of Pravin Cash Store in Nairobi, establishing themselves well within 10 years of dedicated hard work.

In August 1971 Dayaljibhai permanently migrated to U.K. with his family and settled in Williston, North London running a grocery store. As time passed his only son Deepak after completing his education joined the family business and with his business management skills they developed their business activities in all fields, a supermarket, two nursing homes, property etc., Deepak is married with two children and is a successful businessman.

Dayaljibhai besides his multi-business activities is very active in Community and Social work. He is a Trustee of Raghuvanshi Charitable Trust since last 10 years and its Chairman since last 3 years. Under his Chairmanship the building project of RCT was developed and completed. Dayaljibhai is also an active member of Lohana Community North London and a Trustee of LCUK. His contribution to his hometown Raval is also praise worthy. He is a Trustee of Giriraj Charitable Trust, a Trustee of Raval Education Association and was recently involved in a water Project for Raval.

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