The urge of exploring greener pastures oversee has been the men’s greatest quest from the time immemorial. Men took all the risks and sailed by sea in the dhows from India to this part of the ‘dark’ continent. He settled with his family on the soil of East Africa and Zanzibar in particular. Gujratis were in demand for their skills and craftsmanship in British East Africa. This led to the establishment of a small community of Gurjar Sutar in Dar es salaam. In order to preserve the Indian culture and tradition on a foreign land, the Sutars started an informal group and began celebrating festivals and thus, the first Vishwakarma Jayanti was celebrated in 1934.

 

The members who first organized Vishwakarma Jayanti in 1934 through 1943 were: Lalji Kara Vadgama, Naradlal Ramji Ambasana and Hirji Bhimji Varambhia. Being a small community the festivals were held at Bhimji Laxman Kanji Gundecha’s workshop every year.

 

On the fateful day of 11th January 1944, Shree Gurjar Sutar Yuvak Mandal was born and the Management Committee was elected under the Chairmanship of Mulji Kanji Valambhia, a committee consisting of 6 Executive Members, 13 Committee Members and 5 Volunteers.

 

In 1950 the first Constitution was drafted with kind assistance of Mohanlal Kanji Varambhia. Apart from celebrating festivals, our community has been assisting other societies like Shree Hindu Mandal during the construction of crematorium. the community members have ever since been generously supporting in cash and kind during many events like Navratri, Jayanti and Diwali. Other notable past events that took place are medical checkup for community members, samuha saptha, kathiawadi lunch, visits to Mombasa and Nairobi, variety programs, Charity walk and Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1994.

 

The history of Shree Gurjar Sutar Yuvak Mandal also notes the formation of various groups like Mahila Mandal, Kanya Mandal, Volunteers group, Youth league and satsang Mandal whose sole purpose was of keeping the community active and united by organizing and participating in various religious and cultural events.

 

It was in 1990, when name of our community was changed to Shree Gurjar Sutar Gnati Mandal, 1994 under the Chairmanship of Mr Pravin Amratlal Bhadesia, the community celebrated its 50 years Golden Jubilee. Today, we are proud of our community that it has successfully achieved seven decades of existence. We owe this milestone to those pioneers who first founded the pillars of our community. May lord Vishwakarma bless all.