Shree Kantibhai Thakkar

Where do Lohanas go when they want to find out about the religious, social, community charities, Organisational or Institutional Information, Matrimonial, Obituaries, Lohana Samachar is the only paper that will inform them about all this and more. Every month it features some of the leading Lohanas in the community, wherever they are, lifestyles of the saints, some historical facts, and little tit-bits, which are collected meticulously, through extensive research. The paper also helps to operate a Vevishal Mahiti Kendra.

Lohana Samachar was the dream of Kantibhai Thakkar (aged 82), who put it into action when he was only 21, an age when most youths would be worrying about just setting up a career or job. He single-handedly set up the whole publication and not even strong objections and criticisms were able to deter him. He  still feels proud writing and editing for the paper. He puts in a daily appearance at the offices of the paper, and nothing can keep him away from any sort of community, social or charity work. A hard working and self made man, he has been through a lot of obstacles in the running the paper since its inception which dates back before the independence. You can say its the oldest paper around.

"Gyati Seva aj Prabhu Seva", says Kantibhai, "this is weaved in my life and I will follow it till I breath my last. " These are the same Sanskars he has given his children, who are happy to carry on the torch their father lit. Under his guidance, they now carry on with the publishing of the monthly.

Some of his projects included the building of the Vithaldas Haridas Lohana Vidyarthi Bhavan (Lohana Boys Hostel) in early thirties, which was possible because of substantial donation from Vithaldas Haridas family. And an extension to the same in 1945, during which period he was the secretary to the Boarding Committee. Being the Superintendent for many years of the same, he supervised the extension to the Hostel in 1945; called the Kalidas Haridas Memorial Hall, during which period Haribhai was Secretary of the Boarding Committee.  

In 1947, as a representative of Lohana Mahajan Kampala, Haribhai attended the first session of East Africa Lohana Supreme Council held in Mombassa. The late Shree Kakubhai Kalidas Radia was elected president at this session. It was agreed here that an Insurance Company of the Lohana Community should be set up. Many of them deserve the credit for the formation of this Insurance Company. These included the late Kakubhai Kalidas Radia, Girdhar Purshottam Mehta, Dhanji Kala, Hiralal Bhovan, Tulshidas Meghji Radia. Late B.C. Thakor was the General Manager and he deserves credit for the able manner in which he ran the company. Haribhai was later to be a Director of this East Africa General Insurance Company for several years. This insurance company gave loans to many Lohana families to purchase properties on secured mortgages.

We at lohanaonline.com are grateful to Mr Kantibhai Thakkar, and his son Mr.Rajendrabhai Thakkar for their help towards the content management of the site and we wish them and the publication the best.

Lohana Samachar: Corporate office : 313, Atmaram Chambers, Pitadiya Bombay, Near Masjid, Gheekanta Road, Ahmedabad - 1. Gujarat. INDIA.

Phone : 91 79 2164835/6639611