Dear Members,
Jai Jinendra
I hope you and your families are keeping well and enjoying the summer. Welcome to the first edition of Connect • Belong • Inspire. This regular newsletter message will be an opportunity to reflect on our journey, celebrate the people who make our community so special, and share our vision for the future. This first edition is long but there is so much to say…so, please do take the time to read and send any feedback to Prafula Shah.
It is hard to believe it is almost three months since our historic Annual General Meeting on 17 May 2026 and the election of a new Executive Committee. Since then, every day has brought new opportunities, new friendships, and unexpected challenges – but above all a renewed appreciation of what makes our Association so special – our people.
I begin by sincerely thanking you for the confidence and trust you have placed in us. It is a tremendous privilege to serve a community built over generations by dedicated volunteers whose vision, commitment and selfless sewa have shaped the Association we are proud to be part of today. On behalf of the Executive Committee, thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
As trustees, we recognise that we have inherited something truly precious. Our responsibility is not simply to manage a charity, but to be careful custodians of its legacy. We are committed to leading with openness, integrity, respect and humility. While we will not always get every decision right, you can expect us to listen, learn and always act in the best interests of our charity and our community.
Although only a short time has passed since taking office, a great deal has already been happening behind the scenes. We have celebrated many successes, begun addressing long-standing challenges and started laying strong foundations for the future. Progress has been slower than we had hoped. While we have received some information from the previous office bearers, almost three months since the election, significant information and important statutory, regulatory and governance matters remain outstanding despite repeated requests and follow-up. The lack of a complete and satisfactory handover is making it difficult for the current trustees to properly discharge their responsibilities and, importantly, to ensure that the interests of the charity and our members are fully protected. We will continue to pursue the outstanding information and documentation diligently and persistently until this is satisfactorily resolved.
There is so much work to do, but I have been greatly encouraged by the goodwill, dedication and generosity of spirit shown by volunteers, committee members and trustees across OAUK. It has reminded me that when we work together with a shared purpose, there is very little we cannot achieve.
I am also delighted to welcome our newly elected Area Committees and look forward to working with them over the coming years. It is particularly encouraging to see younger members stepping into leadership roles, bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to service. While we are disappointed not to be able to establish a committee in Northampton, we are grateful to everyone who has worked together to ensure a smooth transition of members to the Luton Area. It is another reminder that, even when faced with challenges, our community comes together with understanding, cooperation and a shared commitment to supporting one another.
My hope is that every member – whether you have belonged to OAUK for many years or have only recently joined our community – feels that this is your OAUK: a place where everyone is welcomed, every generation is valued and every act of sewa, however great or small, makes a difference. Together, we can continue building a community where people connect, belong and inspire one another.
Thank you once again for your trust, encouragement and continued support. I hope this first edition of Connect • Belong • Inspire gives you a glimpse of the work already underway, celebrates the wonderful people who make our community so special and leaves you feeling proud of everything we are building together.
Thank You to Our Volunteers 
One of the greatest privileges of these first few months has been meeting so many of the remarkable volunteers who give their time, energy and skills serving our community. I have seen the remarkable dedication, kindness and generosity that keep OAUK thriving. Whether organising events, helping at out Gujarati schools, supporting religious activities, caring for our properties or quietly helping behind the scenes, every act of sewa strengthens our community. It was a pleasure to acknowledge our volunteers during Volunteers Week and on behalf of the Executive Committee, thank you again for everything you do. You are the heartbeat of OAUK.
Volunteers Make the Difference
Volunteering is one of the greatest gifts we can offer one another. Whether you can spare a few hours each month or take on a larger role, every contribution matters. Together, those individual acts of sewa become the foundation upon which OAUK continues to grow. We are currently looking for OAUK members who can support us in various role/areas, including:
- IT and administration
- Finance and Accountancy
- Property maintenance at Oshwal Centre
- Audio and video production
- Constitutional Amendment Working Group
Whether you have professional expertise or simply a willingness to help, we would love to hear from you. Please complete our Expression of Interest form or email Rahul K. Haria
Strengthening Governance
Since taking office, one of the Executive Committee’s highest priorities has been to ensure that OAUK operates to the highest standards of governance, transparency, accountability and regulatory compliance. As new trustees, we have a responsibility to fully understand the complex matters we have inherited and to ensure that the charity is meeting its legal and regulatory obligations.
As part of the handover process from previous trustees, we have requested the records, documentation and information needed to establish a complete understanding of all outstanding legal, financial, operational and statutory matters. Where information remains incomplete or outstanding, we are actively following this up.
This work is essential to enable us to discharge our responsibilities properly, safeguard the interests of OAUK and its members, and ensure that decisions are based on accurate and complete information. Although these matters have required considerable time and attention, they have not prevented us from moving forward with new initiatives.
We are fully committed to addressing outstanding matters diligently and strengthening governance and accountability for the future.
Good governance is not simply about policies and procedures. It is about protecting our charity, safeguarding the confidence of our members and ensuring that future generations inherit an OAUK that is well managed, resilient and worthy of the trust placed in it.
Around Our Community
These few months have been filled with energy, inspiration and opportunities to bring people together. EC and our volunteers have been working tirelessly to organise activities that celebrate our faith, strengthen friendships and create opportunities for members of every generation to connect. 
Fridays: Anand Yatra: Oshwal Centre continues to come alive through Anand Yatra and growing from strength to strength, bringingtogether members of all ages for a day celebrating our dharma, friendship and fellowship. My sincere thanks go to the dedicated volunteers and generous donors whose commitment has helped create such a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. It is wonderful to see new faces joining us each week and experiencing the warmth of our community. A new donation scheme for Anand Yatra has been launched. More details can be found here here.
On 21 June (just a month into our new roles) members came together to celebrate International Yoga Day at Oshwal Centre, enjoying a day of yoga, wellbeing and fellowship, followed by a delicious lunch. With more than 60 participants, the event was a wonderful reminder of the importance of looking after both our physical and mental wellbeing whilst enjoying time together as a community.
Oshwal Sahelis – The inaugural event, Breaking Barriers, welcomed more than 100 attendees – including several men – and created a safe and inspiring space for open conversation, shared experiences and mutual support. The warmth, honesty and positivity in the room demonstrated why this initiative is such an important addition to our community. I am excited to see Oshwal Sahelis continue to grow and inspire even more people in the months ahead.
Building Our Future Together
On 5 July, the Executive Committee welcomed representatives from Area Committee and Board of Advisors to Oshwal Centre for our first strategy day. Together, we shared our vision and strategic priorities for the years ahead, explored ways to strengthen member engagement and discussed how we can encourage greater participation across every generation. The enthusiasm, ideas and commitment shown throughout the day reinforced my belief that the future of OAUK will be shaped through collaboration, openness and a shared desire to serve our community. Our strategic roadmap will be shared with members in the coming weeks.
Building Bridges Through Friendship
One of the great privileges of serving as President is the opportunity to build relationships beyond our own community. We have been blessed to welcome Pujya Bhaishree Nalinbhai Kothari and on 27 July 2026 Pujya Sadhviji Shilapiji and Pujya Sadhviji Sumedaji. Their visits have been a source of great inspiration for our community. Earlier this month, I also had the pleasure of attending Veerayatan UK’s Gratitude Event celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Acharya Chandanaji, together with OAUK’s representation at the inauguration of the UK’s first Hindu Crematorium, hosted by Anoopam Mission. We were also joined by Art of Living for International Yoga Day and attended their beautiful annual Yoga Festival.
On 28 July We were honoured to welcome His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, together with Phil Rosenberg, President of the Jewish Board of Deputies, and their colleagues to Oshwal Centre. Their visit provided an opportunity to share the values of the Jain faith, exchange ideas on community engagement and explore opportunities for future collaboration. These occasions remind us of the importance of building understanding, strengthening friendships and working together in the spirit of mutual respect and shared values.
Looking Ahead
The months ahead promise to be just as busy and exciting as the first few months of our term. Whether through worship, volunteering, learning, celebration or simply spending time together, I hope there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Paryushan 2026: is the most sacred and spiritually significant period in the Jain calendar, providing an opportunity for prayer, reflection, forgiveness and personal growth. Our Areas are busy preparing for this auspicious festival, which will be celebrated from 8-15 September 2026. This year’s Dhaja Din will take place on Sunday 20 September, with Samvatsari organised by North West Area. I look forward to seeing many of you during Paryushan and encourage every member to take part in the religious, cultural and community activities taking place. A special Paryushan edition Connect • Belong • Inspire will be published at the end of August, bringing together festival information, reflections and key updates to help members prepare for this special time.
Work has begun on Electoral Reform, helping ensure that our governance arrangements continue to meet the needs of our growing community. We are also looking forward to a busy autumn programme, including Oshwal Raas Garba, Diwali celebrations, Chopda Poojan, Oshwal Games, together with exciting new initiatives through the Oshwal Business & Professionals Network (OBPN). We look forward to welcoming you as we celebrate our faith, strengthen friendships and create opportunities for every generation to connect, belong and inspire.
Growing Our Membership 
One of our ambitions is to encourage more young people to become lifelong members of OAUK. We are therefore delighted to introduce a special Lifetime Membership offer for young people aged 16–25. For just £50, they can become lifetime members of our Association. If you know a young person who would benefit from becoming part of our community, please encourage them to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.
https://oshwal.org.uk/oauk-membership-application-form/
Property & Infrastructure
Our properties are at the heart of community life, and ensuring they are safe, compliant and well maintained is one of our highest priorities. Over the past few months, the Property Management Committee has been working through a significant number of urgent compliance and regulatory matters requiring immediate attention across the OAUK Estate. While much of this work takes place behind the scenes, it is essential to protecting our members, our volunteers and the long-term future of our buildings.
Alongside this, progress continues to complete works at Shakti Centre; further regulatory maintenance and improvements are underway at Oshwal Centre, and we are commissioning a feasibility and cost-benefit study for Wallington to help shape its future.
Following our Special General Meeting, the Governors of Kingsbury High School met and have unfortunately decided at this time not to proceed with the sale of the land for additional parking at Ekta Centre. Although this is disappointing, we remain committed to exploring alternative solutions to improve parking for members and visitors.
Pull-out Quote
“We are not simply maintaining buildings – we are caring for places where our community comes together to worship, learn, celebrate and serve.”
Board of Advisors (BOA)
Please welcome our new Board of Advisors for the next three years. They have already begun shaping their work programme. We value their collective experience, institutional knowledge, and commitment to OAUK. The BOA has an important advisory role in helping to share the long-term interests of our community.
At a time when we face several important challenges and opportunities, the Board of Advisors can play a vital role in helping the Executive Committee navigate matters with objectivity, wisdom, and a focus on the long-term interests of our community.
Celebrating Our Community 
One of the greatest joys of being President is seeing members of our community reaching new milestones and celebrating special achievements.
A particularly proud time for many families is students who have graduated from universities across the UK and beyond. On behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to every graduate. Whether you are beginning your career, continuing your studies or embarking on a new adventure, we wish you every success and happiness in the years ahead.
Your achievements are a source of great pride not only to your families but to our wider community. We look forward to seeing the talents, skills and ideas that your generation will bring to OAUK in the years ahead.
If you or a member of your family has something special to celebrate – a graduation, sporting achievement, professional success, community award or another significant milestone – we would love to hear from you. Email: nishi.b.shah@oshwal.org to share those moments with the community.
“Our community has always taken great pride in encouraging each generation to learn, grow and give back. We hope many of today’s graduates will become tomorrow’s volunteers, professionals, trustees and community leaders.”
Looking Back
As I reflect on the last few months, there are some moments that are truly special. I have watched children laughing together at Anand Yatra while grandparents shared stories nearby. I have seen volunteers quietly preparing meals before everyone else arrives and staying long after the events have finished. I have met younger members stepping forward to serve on committees for the very first time, bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm and a real desire to make a difference.
I have been humbled by the blessings of our revered Gurus and inspired by opportunities to strengthen friendships, both within our own community and with communities beyond it.
Amongst these memorable moments, one will stay with me for a long time. The Prathna Sabha for Pujya Dahibaa, who passed away peacefully at the remarkable age of 111. Oshwal Centre was filled with loved ones, relatives, friends and members of our community, sharing stories of an extraordinary lady whose kindness, wisdom and gentle nature had touched so many lives.
Pujya Dahibaa (1915–2026)
A life spanning more than a century, honoured over many years with birthday messages from Buckingham Palace, but remembered above all for her humility, kindness, faith and the love she inspired within her family and our community.
As I listened to those speeches, I found myself reflecting on the devoted care by Suryaben, who lovingly cared for Dahibaa at home for many years. In today’s busy world, her quiet devotion reminded me that some of life’s greatest acts of love and sewa are never seen by the wider world. They happen at home, day after day, with patience, compassion and unwavering commitment. Perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons our community can teach us and others – that the legacy we leave is not measured by titles or achievements, but by the lives we touch, the kindness we show and the care we give to one another. Those are the moments that stay with us long after the events themselves have passed.
As we remember Dahibaa with gratitude and affection, we also give thanks for all those – often quietly and without recognition – who care for our elders, preserve our values and pass them on to future generations. They remind us that the strongest communities are built not only through what we achieve, but through how we care for one another. 
Our Community, Our Future 
As the Executive Committee and I have travelled around our Areas and Centres over the last few months, a thought has stayed with me. While people often see the events we organise, the buildings we care for and the projects we deliver, these are not what truly defines OAUK. What defines OAUK is our people.
I have been inspired by the volunteer preparing a hall before everyone arrives, the teacher nurturing the next generation, the committee member planning events behind the scenes, the donor giving quietly without recognition, the young person volunteering for the first time and the member whose warm welcome helps someone feel they belong. These individual acts may seem small, but together they strengthen our faith, preserve our heritage and create a community that is stronger with each generation.
As your Executive Committee, our role is to provide the strong foundations that enable our community to flourish through good governance, responsible stewardship and well-managed facilities. But these are only the foundations. It is our members who give OAUK its heart, its character and its future.
That is why I believe every member has something valuable to contribute. Whether you volunteer your time, share your skills, support an event, mentor a young person or simply offer a smile and a helping hand, you are helping to shape the future of our Association.
Together, we Connect through friendship, Belong through shared values and Inspire one another through sewa. Together, we are building not just a stronger Association, but a stronger community for generations to come.
A Thought to leave with you 
As I finish writing this first edition of Connect • Belong • Inspire. I find myself reflecting not on the meetings attended, decisions made or events organised, but on the people, I have met along the way.
From the young person taking their first step into service, to the member whose simple act of kindness makes someone feel welcome – these are the moments that remind me what makes OAUK so special. They may never make the headlines, but they are the threads that weave our community together.
Thank you for the warmth, encouragement and trust you have shown the Executive Committee during these first few months. It is a privilege to serve this remarkable community, and we do so with humility, gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility.
As we look ahead, I hope each of us will continue to play our part – however big or small. Every act of sewa, every helping hand and every new connection strengthens our community.
Together, we Connect. Together, we Belong. Together, we Inspire. And together, we are building a community that future generations will be proud to call their own.
Thank you for being part of that journey and reading this bumper Issue #1.
Jai Oshwal, Jai Mahavir
With warmest wishes,
Prafula