History of SGLM

History of SGLM

Soon after the draught in 1856, masses of people migrated from Gujarat to Mumbai. It was during this time that Sheth Shri Ramji Khimji and Sheth Shri Harji Jina Bogha helped the migrants financially and also provided shelter at the Jina Bhoga Wadi. Up until 1921, the authoritative power and management of Jina Bhoga Wadi was rightfully given to the Sheths – Sheth Shri Khimji Bhagwandas, Sheth Shri Geega Nathu, Sheth Shri Veerji Nathu, Sheth Shri Durlabhji Morarji, Sheth Shri Loveji Vasani, Shri Giridharbhai Davda, Shri Jakeran Harakhji Majethia and Sheth Shri Tribuvandas Gulabhai.

With time, even the functionality of the Mahajan changed its course and a new committee came into existence wherein the frontrunners of the committee were addressed as Presidents rather than Sheths. Shri Jagjiwandas Chhaganlal Davda was elected as the President of this new committee. It wasn’t long after this that the committee split because of disagreement amongst its members. However, in 1943, the younger members took over the control of the committee and started afresh. Collectively called Shri Goghari Lohana Mahajan thereafter, the youth commenced its activities under the President ship of Shri Nagji Durlabhji Vasani. Shri Shamji Gokadas Ghadia was elected the Vice President of the committee. In 1947, the newly elected committee’s perseverance and enthusiasm led them to start a new structure at Andheri, Mumbai. Shri Ghoghari Lohana Mahajan was as successful as many other Mahajans that existed at that time. Up until 1971, the then President of the committee, Shri Nagjibhai Vasani efficiently contributed to the society and gave opportunity to the younger generation by electing Shri Maganlal Jivraj Magdani as the committee’s new President and Shri Vrajlal Vallabhdas Vasani as Vice President.

From 1971 the new committee started working aggressively towards achieving the main objectives of the Mahajanshri, ie which included not only financial aid, but also started the disbursement of the medical aid to our Ghoghari families. This committee is credited to have brought out the “first” census report for the community. The first census enumerated 1200 families. After making minor changes to the constitution 1960, this committee was also the “architect” of a new constitution.

In 1983 Shri Vrajlal Vasani was selected as the President. He started with community binding activities. The construction of the Andheri Mahajan wadi was completed by then and he encouraged & orchestrated the shift of Mahajanshri’s working office from the Lohana Mahajan wadi to the Andheri premises. This freed up the Lohana Mahajan wadi for community events like weddings and other functions which therefore generated a new stream of income to the trust. In 1988 the second census for the community began.

In 1990, Shri Dhirajlal Kanji Vasani came on board as the President and initiated various community programmes, These not only focused on the three core objectives of the Mahajanshri ie Financial Aid, Educational aid & Medical aid, but also initiated programmes like quartery diabetes camps, “Samuh Lagna” & “Mithai Vitran”. The 3rd census count of the community was commenced in 1999 under his tenure, Over 1600 families have been enumerated as a result of this activity.

In the year 2000, Shri Dwirekbhai Raj was selected for the post of the President. Under his tenure & Shri Maganbhai Savani’s Chairmanship, issues such as the upliftment of the building in the Andheri wadi and its assets and sale of the Jeena Bhogani wadi were considered. These issues were undertaken with the intent of increasing the income for the trust which could be disbursed for appropriate social causes.

Our Presidents till date –

• Late Shri Nagjibhai Dulabhji Vasani (1947-1971)
• Late Shri Maganlal Jivaraj Magdani (1971-1983)
• Late Shri Vrijlal Vallabhdas Vasani (1983-1990)
• Late Shri Dhirjlal Kanjibhai Vasani (1990-2001)
• Shri Dwirekbhai Kalyanji Raj (2001-2013)
• Late Shri Kanaiyalal Amrutlal Magdani (2013-2015)
• Shri Satishbhai Dhirajlal Vithalani 2015 (Present President)