| Born
in 1914, Shree Gordhandas D Kantaria,
was the first of four sons of proud parents Shree Dharamshi Kala
Kantaria and Srimati Taliatben Kantaria. His birthplace is Kenya
where his father had arrived in 1898 from Bikha, near Junagadh in
Gujarat India. Gordhandas attended
the local school at Limuru in Kenya for the first two years of his
schooling. The school was run by the Catholic Mission for Africans.
There was no Indian school in Limuru and he was the only Indian
pupil in that school. He later attended the Indian Boy's School
in Nairobi. During his schooling he learned
English, Gujarati and Kikuyu languages. He learned a lot of Kikuyu
and African customs and spoke the language well.
|
| He
joined his father's business in Limuru at the tender age of fourteen
and four years later, upon his father's retirement took over the
management of the business with his three younger brothers Jamnadas,
Nanalal and Chhotalal.
The four brothers in unison expanded the
business and established a flourmill and a sawmill. In 1948, with
his first brother Jamnadas and his parents he moved to Nairobi where
he embarked on the automobile spare parts business. Soon E. Auto
Spares Limited became the flagship in the group and a variety of
other businesses, which followed. |
| Amongst
these were tea estates, transportation, aluminum hollowware, tyre
rethreading, plastics manufacturing, refining/manufacturing of lubricants
and real estate investments. The family
diversified its interests to India where investments were made in
tea estates, soft drinks bottling, cinemas, motion-picture distribution
and cement manufacturing. The group's investments in the United
Kingdom and Canada consisted of hotels and real estate.
Gordhandas led his group with the full support and participation
of his brothers and their respective families.
Whilst his business acumen was being engaged in these various economic
activities his desire to promote the Lohana and Hindu Community
was equally sincere. He has contributed a lot towards the same.
Embarked on community service, within a short time, he earned the
love of everyone and the nick name of
"Motabhai" not only because he was the eldest of the
four brothers, but also for being the guiding star of the Lohana
Community Center in Nairobi.
He was looked upon for advice and guidance by all young and elders.
Owing to these abilities he
was elected the president of the community centers
for 14 years and a trustee for around 35 years.
His commitment to the community inevitably
led him to being involved with the Hindu Council of Kenya from its
very inception. He was appointed and remained for many years as
a British Honorary Correspondent. He was also associated with Shree
Kutchchhi Gujarati Hindu Union, which he served and guided for many
years.
Instrumental in founding the Parklands Nursing Home, which later
turned into MP Shah Hospital the family, donated a substantial sum
and one wing of the hospital was named after his father. Late Dharmashi
Kala Kantaria, homage they paid to their father. Throughout his
life he was a believer in charity begins at home.
He was associated with and supported various social, religious and
charitable institutions and societies.
Among them were the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,
Dr.Barnardo's Homes, Kenya Society for Deaf Children, Association
for the Physically Disabled, Salvation Army, Welfare Society for
the aged, Kenya Red Cross, Hindu Union Mombassa, St.John's Ambulance,
Kenya Lions Eye Foundation, Bhartiya Swayamseewak Singh, Shree Santan
Dharm Sabha, Kenya society for The protection of Animals, Mother
Teresa's Missionaries of Charity and Kenya society for the blind
to name just a few. Many more unsaid acts of humanity shine his
crown.
He was married to Jayaben and had two sons Himatlal and Natvarlal,
and four daughters Manjulaben, Urmilaben,
Indiraben and Ranjanben.
He was a firm stickler to family values and brought up his children
with those strong values and also acted as counselor to many domestic
and family matters. He was actively engaged in all his businesses
as well as charities to the last day of his life.
His wise counsel and leadership are missed
not only by his family but also by the community and society in
general. |
