Keshavlal J Patel (ACMA,CGMA)
Wembley. Middlesexx. UK. HA0 3AZ Phone: 020-8902-7034. Email address: [email protected].
RE: KJ –Brief Life Sketch
Born October 1936 at Matvad at mama’s house – Studied to standard 3 in Matvad Primary School-
In 1946 moved to Bodali – studied for standard 4 in Bodali – In 1947 joined ‘The Dadabhai Cawasji Tata Anglo Vernacular School (A Parsi School in Navsari) in standard five.
On 12th June 1948 I left India by ss. Kampala in its maiden voyage arriving Mombasa on 29th June.
In Nairobi I joined at standard 7 at Government Indian Primary School.
After passing std 7 I joined Technical High School and chose Bookkeeping as the technical subject.- Completed Senior Cambridge. November 1954 – worked in the vehicle registration dept of Inland Revenue for three months. Chhotu Karadia was my mentor and boss during my time with the dept-
I was offered a job by Maritime Insurance Company. My first pay was Kenya Shs.400 per month, equivalent to about £20 per month.
I left Insurance to work for East African Railways on 1st August 1956 as a stores clerk.
After 1960 things began to change. At office with a Singh friend we started studying for the International Accountants Institute of UK. In 1964 I enrolled for the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants in UK.
Earlier on in 1958 I joined the Mandhata Mandal, Nairobi. During the time Shree Keshavbhai Bhikhabhai Patel was the President. After 1964 I could not give time to this commitment so withdrew my name at the AGM.
I married in September 1964.
In 1970 my job with the Railways was Africanised. As I had not completed my final exams I had decided not to leave East Africa during the 68/69 exodus. I sent my brother to UK. in 1964 and parents and sisters, in 1968 to UK.
During 1970/71 academic year, I taught book-keeping and costing to mature students at Kenya Polytechnic.
In June 1971 I set for the ICMA final exams and a few days after that we left Kenya for UK.
Arrived in UK on 22nd June 1971 – three weeks in West Bromwich with brother – only job offers were a factory jobs – came to London and stayed with Dahyubhai R Patel – Joined London Transport as Budgets Officer. In August 1972 bought our own house in Alperton.
November 1971 at chequers pub discussed forming Mandhata Mandal in London with Hirabahi D, Jerambhai (singer) Dayalji (brother) and myself. Arranged a meeting involving a few more at G N Patel’s house. Agreed tasks and started visiting other people with the idea. Called a General meeting at Aplerton High School, approved constitution and thus formed Mandhata Mandal London,
From then on took active part in Mandhata Mandal as treasurer for many years – persuaded committee to start Gujarati School – then Youth Club – became Youth Leader and kept that up for 20 years- helped create Navsarjan Magazine – played active role in the building of our Centre – became President and then a Trustee.
In 1983 set up Kantha Vibhag Friendship Trust- This Trust organises some 20 charitable programmes in India every year – finance mainly provided by me but in 1987 we got some £25000 of National Lottery Grant.
I reactivated Bodali Seva Mandal UK for regular development work in the Gam by setting up an Endowment Fund – now totalling £60,000.
I also take fairly active part in Mandhata Samaj UK. – Started Youth Festival- was involved in preparing its Charitable Constitution, edited Mandhat Pragati Magazine for many years and served as a Trustee and a convener for a couple of Sub-Committees – Gamonatti, Publication.
I am now stepped aside from active participation in community Associations and hope to devote my spare time to the Community’s website, www.mandhataglobal.com.
Keshavbhai J Patel
Download document in Gujarati – Keshavbhai__by_Chandr_8D214
____________________________________________________________________________________________