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LCUK was formed over 21 years ago and today's event is the culmination of the dedicated service of all the Past Presidents and their
committees. Currently there are over 6000 families and 20 Regional Lohana Mahajans in UK, all affiliated to
LCUK. We are one of the very few National Asian
organizations in this country providing a
co-ordinate and consistent service to the membership. We have also developed close ties with Lohana
organizations abroad, including Lohana Mahaparishad in India, East Africa, USA and Canada.
The profile of our membership and their needs have also evolved over the years. It is important that we as an
organisation move with the times and evaluate our priorities and actions constantly.
We need to be in a position where we can influence the
decision-makers, be it in political, economical or social fields. One thing that has not changed is the need to have sufficient finance.
We are fortunate to enjoy the support of our Business Community and generous individuals who are always willing to
support the Community financially.
Over 250 individual families and many Lohana Businesses have 'sponsored' the event today in various ways. My sincere thanks to all of them. In addition to the annual events such as LSA Easter Sports, Variety Show, Mahila event, LCUK has also been busy working on couple of other major projects.
The MILLENNIUM BOND project is designed to raise substantial funds to be used for projects benefiting the members of the Community. The Directory Project is well underway and the new edition of the Directory is scheduled to be published in January 2000. Details of both these projects and other activities of LCUK are published in this
magazine.
We have also improved the Communication links with all members of the Community.
This has been achieved by the use of Direct Mail to over 5000 households all over UK, communication through the LCUK Lohana Perspective, Regional Mahajan
magazines and functions, through the Gujarati press and Radio, through LCUK Website and e-mails. We have also set up a Freepost address for LCUK to facilitate a single point of contact for members to write in. Effective communication links will
enable LCUK to stay in touch with the grass roots and galvanize
support for suitable projects efficiently.
It will enable LCUK to function as a 'pressure group' influencing the decision-makers in all walks of life in this country.
Lohana Community work at Regional or LCUK level is very satisfying but is also constrained by the amount of time available to the Community workers. We really need a Lohana Resource
Centre employing paid administrators to support the Management
Committees of LCUK and Regional Mahajans. In the meantime, we are lucky to have a team of dedicated workers who continue to
devote their valuable time for the Lohana Community service.
The function today is the result of 6 months planning and hard work by a team of dedicated workers from all over UK.
Shree Ajaybhai Jobanputra, Convener of 'The Millennium Gathering" committee and Vice President of LCUK has worked tirelessly
to ensure the quality and success of this historic event. He has enjoyed the full support of his immediate family as well as the virtual family of the fellow LCUK officers, Board of Trustee, members of the Central Council, Regional Mahajans and many other
individuals. I am sure you will all want to join me in recognizing and appreciating their efforts.
We can all be truly proud of it.
I'd also like to thank you all for attending and supporting the function. Have a good time and please continue to support the Community at Regional as well at LCUK level.
Jai Raghuvanshi.
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