History of Parajiya Pattni Soni Families of Mombasa

Chapter One

 

Late Shree Parmanandbhai Dosa Ghaghada

The First Chairman of Shree Parajia Pattni Samaj, Mombasa

Mombasa, the second largest city in Kenya is a place steeped in history. Many Pattni families migrated and settled in Mombasa more than 120 years ago.

Parmanandbhai was born in 1892 in a village called Chatter Panch Devda, Gujarat, India.

Late Maniben Parmanandbhai Ghaghada

He was married to Maniben who was born in 1903.

At a young age of 21, he came to Mombasa (Kenya) in 1913. Within a year, in 1914, he opened a shop Called Parmanand Dosa selling gold and silver jewelry.

It was in Commercial Road now called Baishara Street in Mombasa.

Parmandbhai and Maniben were blessed with a son Narshidas Parmanand and

daughters: Late Ramaben Narottambhai Challa London, Late Saraswatiben Mathuradas Dhakan London and Narmadaben Jivanlal Vaya, Nairobi.

He was well known as a big-hearted businessman who put our Pattni Samaj firmly first. Despite his busy business activitites selling gold and silver jewellry,

he was always ready to serve the Samaj.

On the auspicious day of Thursday, 10th June 1937, (Jeth Sud Bij, 1994) Shree Parajiya Pattni Samaj was officially inaugurated. Shree Parmanand Dosabhai

as the first chairman and Shree Hirji Lakhabhai as secretary were elected.

The other committee members when he served as a president were, Merambhai Govind, Kanjibhai Meghji, and Shamjibhai Lakha.  

At the general body meeting on Saturday 24th June 1939, it was decided to raise funds and the Samaj bought a plot for our community, near the Railway station (near the current Brahma Samaj).

As the President he collected funds for the Samaj. He carried serving the Samaj as the committee member after serving his term as the president.

Parmanadbhai passed away at the age of 63 in 1955.

The same year, in 1955, his son Narshidas Parmanandbhia ventured into importing and selling immitation jewellery and clothings. He traded till 1974 when the family moved to UK.

Narshidas’s mother, Maniben Parmanandbhai passed away at the age of 74 in 1977 in London.

Narshidas Parmanandbhai Ghaghada

Nirmalaben Narshidas Ghaghada

Narshidas now 86 married to Nirmalaben Narshidas Ghaghada, age 81 currently live in London happily.

Message from Narshidas Parmanandbhai & Family to the community:

Thank you for honouring my father and writing the history of our family. It is important that we record our family history for the benefit of future generations.

In loving memory of my father, late Shree Parmanand Dosa Ghaghada, the very first president of Shree Parajia Pattni Samaj, Mombasa.

Our congratulations, and very best wishes to Shree Parajia Pattni Samaj Mombasa and to all Parajia Pattni members worldwide.

Thank you.

Shree Narshidas Parmanand Dosa Ghaghada and family 

London U.K.