| - By Dhiren Ramesh Katwa
Set up in 1992, the Vanza Community of South London, VCSL, an independent Hindu Gujarati community organisation, linked its annual Diwali celebration with its 15th milestone on Saturday a fortnight ago. Here, VCSL chairman, veteran accountant Arunbhai Jethalal Tank, paid a glowing tribute to our newsweeklies for "campaigning journalism" and for continuing to provide a platform for Asians, particularly British Hindus, to have their say. I was privileged to be here and to join in the applause.
 Arriving guests, in traditional and fashionable attire, were met with handshakes,hugs and an exchange of verbal greetings, "Salmubarak", or happy new year and Jai Gopal. The celebration, held at Archbishop Lanfranc School in Croydon, Surrey, from 8pm till past midnight, began with a Gujarati vegetarian meal and networking.
Nine women from three generations, one behind the other, from young to old, and each carrying a lamp in their palm - significant of Diwali - entered the rear of the hall and walked to the shrine at the front, resting here their lamps. This was followed by aarti, an oblation in the form of oil lamps, with musical accompaniment. Attendees, over 250, were then officially welcomed by Suchetaben Samant, secretary of VCSL, who was also the compere. She then invited on stage Mr Tank, a gent with a magnetic and sparkling personality, who introduced distinguished guests and remembered perished members, including his predecessor Narendrabhai Davadra, who died last year following an illness. In turn, Mr Tank called upon his deputy, Purshottambhai Arjan Jethwa, who rolled back the years to paint a past-to-present picture of VCSL, its goals, achievements and challenges. This was followed by solo and team Kathak and Bharatnatyam, south Indian dances. As the mood lifted, singers Durgesh Vyas and Malika, of Unforgettable Melodies, further enhanced the celebratory atmosphere with karaoke-style entertainment. Their selection, consisting of new, old, romantic and patriotic Hindi songs, were clearly enjoyed by all. Noticing the energetic approach of the audience, the pair soon switched to bhangra, Punjabi dance music, which attracted people, including kids and the elderly, to the dance floor.
At the end, following a vote of thanks, a raffle draw took place. Prizes included a camcorder, Multichef, DVD player, a religious marble monument and a SatNav system, of which the latter two were both won by Maheshbhai Sonigra, President of Vanza Society of London. The ancestral roots of the Vanza Darji weavers, or tailor community, lie mainly in Saurashtra, and Diu, in Gujarat, India. Scores of Vanzas have settled in the UK mainly in London, Leicester, Birmingham and Coventry for three-plus decades having arrived from this region, also from parts of East Africa. In South London, there are around 50 Vanza families, the eldest member of which is believed to be 90-year-old Vijyakuvarben Kalyanji Lalji Mandalia, originally from Tabora, Tanzania. Hingraj, the Goddess of healing and virtue, is associated with the Vanza community, as is Guru teacher Gopal Lal, who existed some 175 years ago and his legacy has long continued. Hence, Jai Gopal is a common greeting for Vanzas. The holiest and largest shrine dedicated to Goddess Hingraj is located on the banks of River Hinghol in Baluchistan province, about 170 miles from Karachi, Pakistan. To find out more visit www.vanzasouth.org.uk |
