LCUK E-Newsletter January 2009


	*Happy New Year to all our Readers. Hope you had an enjoyable and restful festive break. We start this 3rd year for the LCUK eNewsletter with over 4000 Lohana subscribers for our mailshot worldwide. Keep promoting the eNewsletter to your Lohana friends and family. Thanks for your continued support for eNews - please get you Lohana friends and family to register at www.Lohana.info*



	Community News & Events

	LCUK Directory Project
	A special newsletter and a Directory form requesting your name, address, email and details of your family will be posted in the next few days to all 6500 Lohana addresses we have got on our database. Please provide all details as fully as possible so we are able to collate the information in the form of a census of all Lohanas in the UK. If you need more forms for your Lohana friends and family then please download a copy from our website www.LCUK.org.uk

	LCUK Variety Show
	LCUK hosts a Variety Show annually to promote cultural activities among the young generation within our Community. It is a marvellous opportunity for our young members to express themselves through dance, song and drama. Participation at the UK national level ensures that people from many different parts of the country have opportunities to meet and enjoy each other's company and talent.

	It gives LCUK great pleasure to inform you that this years event will take place at Lohana Mahajanwadi Leicester, Tilda Hall, Hildyard Road, Leicester, LE4 5GG on Sunday, 22nd February 2009. Tickets are limited and cost £10 or £15 including buffet dinner. For more details see our website at www.LCUK.org.uk.



	LCUK Lohana Matchmaker event
	Last year we organised a special Matchmaker event in Leicester. It was attended by 70 candidates and 80 guests. It was a unique event where candidates and guests all mingled together yet meeting between candidates was going on. This was a unique method of matchmaking.

	Our second matchmaking event, supported by LCNL, will take place on Saturday, 14th March 2009 at Sapphire Lounge, Glengall Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 8TE. The tickets for this event are £17.50 which includes a lavish buffet meal and soft drinks. All participants will get free membership to Lohanamatchmaker.com for one year. To receive full details of this event please send an email to MatchMaker@LCUK.org.uk.

	LCUK Easter Sports festival
	This annual event will be hosted on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April 2009 - sports competition, evening socials and venue details are being finalised. See our website for more details as we get them.

	SLAB Valentine's Mehfil
	On Saturday 7th February 2009 at the Horseshoe Bar & Restaurant, 1214 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 9BH. Tickets are £27.50 including a 3 course meal. Click here for more details.

	LCWL Valentines Party
	On Saturday 14th February 2009 at the LMT Lounge, Wembley. Tickets are £20 including buffet dinner and Live music. Click here for more details.



	LCUK Gujarat Earthquake Schools Update
	The LCUK sponsored the costs of building two primary schools (Shakta Sanala and Mota Bhela) with Lions Club International in the Morbi district of Rajkot. These schools, rebuilt after the major Gujarat Earthquake, were opened in March 2004 and currently have a total of 332 boys and girls studying subjects from Standard 1 to 7.

	Most of the students are from local under-privileged families and are getting good education from the twelve teaching staff employed by the school. The Gujarat Government has recently provided seven computers to Shakta Sanala Boys Primary School to hold special IT classes. The LCUK is looking at a further project to sponsor some refurbishment and refurnishing work at the schools and provide funds for IT teachers and some more computer equipment. We have recently received some photos of the school which can be viewed on our website at www.LCUK.org.uk.

	LCUK Lohana Professionals Network website update
	The Lohana Professionals Network (LPN) was set up in 2008 for the purpose of uniting Lohana Professionals around the world. Based in the UK, under the LCUK banner, its aim is to enable networking among Lohana professionals and enable the youth to mature into professionals. The primary function of LPN is to organise networking events, provide a forum for professionals of any age to network, facilitate interview skills workshops, host CV clinics, setup a regular e-newsletter for its members, and so on. Visit their newly updated website to register interest and for more details - www.LohanaProfessionals.org.uk

	Other Events

	Meet the Shadow Home Secretary in Leicester
	Meet Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve on Saturday 7th February at Shree Ram Mandir, Leicester at 5.00pm to put forward concerns of the Hindu Community and seek information regarding Tory Party policies towards ethnic minorities and lack of Hindu MPs representing the Tory Party. Meeting is expected to finish at 7.00pm light snacks will be served. For further information please contact C J Rabheru - 07958 275 222.

	Achievements

	Zena Rach graduation
	Zena, daughter of Naren and Hansa Rach, graduated from the University of Hertforfshire with a BA (Hons) Double Degree in International Business in November 2008.

	Mikisha Makwana (Rach) candidate for Redbidge Young Citizen's Award
	The Ilford Recorder and Redbridge Rotary Club have recognised the fund raising efforts of 8 year old Mikisha. She was the youngest of 10,000 people who took part in the 5Km Race for Life held in Regents Park last year. Mikisha finished the race in just 45 minutes and raised £400 for Cancer Research UK - well done Mikisha

	Sonia Rach wins Ready Steady Cook Challenge
	The versatile Rach family have a hat trick in the achievements section with Sonia Rach who won a competition last year at her Oaks Park School with her teacher to create a healthy main course and dessert on a fixed budget of just £6. The competition is to be held at each school in Redbridge this year with a head to head final for the top prize.

	Sunny and Shyam Savani presented Diana Award
	Both Sunny and Shyam Savani aged 15 from Wellingborough were honoured in December 2008 with the Diana Award. The Award gives public recognition to young people aged 12 - 18 who go that extra mile to make a profound difference to the lives of their friends, families, schools and communities. They were chosen for the Award because of their inspirational qualities that are demonstrated through their commitment and work in the field of Dance, Drama & Media Projects to support young people and community development through celebrating diversity, fundraising campaigning and promoting awareness of Every Child Matters for children and young people.

	Dr Dipak Ramji (Raikundalia) wins British Heart Foundation grant
	Dipakbhai, from the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University, has won a grant of £98,709 to investigate a protein which appears to prevent the build-up of fatty plaques in artery walls, a major cause of heart attacks. Understanding how the protein works may lead to new medicines that prevent or slow down dangerous plaque formation.



	Readers Contributions

	We have had great articles of interest from our eNews Subscribers - news and views from Barrack Obama to the Mumbai Seige and lots of other religious, health, humour and fun items. Please keep them coming so we can share them worldwide.

	President Barack Obama's video song from India
	This unique concept by Chirag Thakkar of complimenting the first coloured President of USA has been musically arranged by Jayesh Gandhi and sung by both versatile artists. Click here to see the video and listen to this very good song - it will bring a smile to your face.

	Barack O'Bollywood
	Click here for a fun video on YouTube

	Mumbai Seige - 'Kill all the hostages except the two Muslims'
	An attack on India is not an attack on Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians, it is an attack on democracy, secularism and freedom. It is an attack on Hindus that truly believe "Sarva Dharma Sambhava" - that all religions are possible and equal and Muslims that beleive in the true meaning of Islam - Peace. Phone conversations between Mumbai attackers and their 'Pakistani handlers' cast chilling new light on the massacre. Click here to see the an article in January from The Independent. Click here to view a Power Point presentation on those heros who made India proud in her challenging day 26th November 2008. TUM CHALO TO HINDUSTAN CHALE!

	Virtual Ganesh Pooja
	Click here to perform this very beautiful pooja on-line on the web. Jai Shree Ganeshaye Namaha.

	Gujarati Bhajan Video
	Brilliant singing from Kamlesh Barot in India. What a lovely rendition of "Hari Tu Gadu Maru Kyan Layi jaye". Click here to view the video

	BT scraps charges for 0870 & 0845 numbers
	These are free to dial from January 16th 2009

	Be inspired by the Great Human Spirit
	It is the perfect time of the year to watch this video and have your children watch this..with the new year and all the hope and promise of the upcoming year. We can entertain ourselves with the great human spirit...we can learn many lessons from the great spirit.... Click here to see the YouTube video.

	Try this test - usually can be done in 3 minutes if your IQ is not under 50
	Click here and have fun!

	National Portal of India
	Click here to see the January e-Newsletter from the national portal of India. Keep up to date with all the latest in India by subscribing

	Thirst can only be quenched by Water
	*Click here* for more details on how to use this very useful style of massage.

	Mudras - The old Indian science for improving one's well being
	Doing simple & easy things can be very beneficial to your health. Click here for details and then decide.

	Some Food Tips
	Click here to read some very good tips on using and keeping our foods fresh

	Clumsy TV Theme Medley
	Enjoyment for our younger readers - Click here and turn the volume up!

	US Visa online authorisation
	In August 2008, the United States government introduced voluntary online authorisation for the visa waiver programme, enabling participants to apply for authorisation before travelling. From 12th January 2009, this online application has become mandatory for passport holders from any of the 34 countries currently participating in the visa-waiver programme, of which the UK is one. The application process takes approximately 20 minutes. Authorisation is normally granted immediately, but can take up to 72 hours. You do not need to have firm plans to travel to apply for authorisation. And once granted, it stays valid for two years.

	Calendar until 2078
	Click here to download a lovely EXCEL based calendar which can be changed to print out dates for any year up to 2078.

	Did You Know?
	Ever sat in a friends car or a rented car and thought "Which side do I fill petrol from". If you look at your petrol gauge in a car, you will see a small icon of a gas pump. The handle of the petrol pump will extend out on either the left or right side of the gas pump. If your tank is on the left, the handle will be on the left. If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the right. It is that simple and works for all cars!

	Check Your Photo Card Driving License!
	Thousands of motorists are at risk of being fined up to £1,000 because they are unwittingly driving without a valid licence. They risk prosecution after failing to spot the extremely small print on their photocard licence which says it automatically expires after 10 years and has to be renewed - even though drivers are licensed to drive until the age of 70. Motoring organisations blamed the Government for the fiasco and said 'most' drivers believed their licences were for life. They said officials had failed to publicise sufficiently the fact that new-style licences - unlike the old paper ones - expire after a set period and have to be renewed. To rub salt into wounds, drivers will have to a pay £17.50 to renew their card - a charge which critics have condemned as a 'stealth tax' and which will earn the Treasury an estimated £437million over 25 years.

	Service really comes from the Heart
	Click here to watch the video clip. It is a real life story of Johnny, the grocery store bagger. It is very short, but it will remind you of why and how we make an impact in what we do. It's amazing how one young Down's Syndrome bagger made such a wonderful impact on those customers lucky enough to have Johnny bag their groceries!

	Young Indian Vegetarians
	Click here to visit their website in UK for more details.

	New website for Gujarati songs, raas-garba, lok geet
	Click here to hear the songs with written lyrics.

	Harrow PCT are offering free courses for Expert Patient Programme
	The courses are open to any Harrow resident that has a Harrow GP and is living with a long term health condition, for example: diabetes, anxiety, heart disease, asthma etc. The courses run for six weeks. Next course is Thurs 5th March - Thurs 9th April 2pm - 4.30pm at Wealdstone Centre, 38-40 High Street, Harrow, HA3 7AE. Call 020 8537 3173 for more details.

	Articles from our Readers are hosted on the www.Lohana.info website. If you have any interesting articles then email them to eNews@LCUK.org.uk - please let us know if you have got the articles from another website so we can acknowledge them. Any comments and feedback welcome for all these articles - write to Feedback@LCUK.org.uk.

	Community Announcements

	Bereavements
	Condolences to the families of all the bereaved on behalf of the LCUK Executive, Trustees and Central Council members. May the souls of the sadly departed rest in peace. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti .......

	Shree Nareshbhai (Kanubhai) Purshottam Gokani of Leicester passed away on 20th January aged 60 years. He was Trustee of Shree Ram Mandir and Shree Lohana Mahajan Leicester.

	Shree Laxmidas Pragji Gokani of Leicester (formerly Kakamega) passed away on 16th January aged 74.

	Shree Dayabhai Dhanji Lakhani of East London (formerly Blantyre, Malawi) passed away on 15th January aged 89 years.

	Shree Mohanlal Hirji Thobhani of Leicester (Formerly Kabali, Uganda) passed away on 15th January aged 87 years.

	Shree Shirish Nathwani of Toronto, Canada passed away on 11th January at the age of 58 years.

	Smt. Savitaben Dhirajlal Karia (Daughter of Late Vithaldas Jethalal Hathi) of Leicester (formally Kampala) passed away aged 72 years on 4th January.

	Shree Amratlal (Babubhai) Jagjivan Thakar (Bhimjiani) of Finchley (formerly Dawn & Co Kampala) passed away on 4th January aged 80 years.

	Shri Vithaldas Liladhar Amlani of Nairobi passed away on 2nd January.

	Shree Dipeshbhai Laxmidas Raithatha of Northwood, Middlesex (formerly Mbarara) passed away on 31st December 2008 aged 45 years.

	Smt Jyotsnaben Dinesh Ondhia of Pinner (of N.D.Patel - Arusha, Tanzania) passed away on Sunday 28th December aged 62 years.

	Smt. Kashiben Karsandasbhai Thakrar of Coventry passed away on 27th December 2008 aged 73 years.

	Shree Chhotalal Chaganlal Ghelani of Toronto ( formerly Mbarara) passed away on 26th December.

	Shree Pareshbhai Dhirajlal Harji (Popat) passed away aged 48 years on 20th December.

	Smt. Lalitaben Karsanbhai Popat of Winchmore Hill (formerly Kakamega) passed away on 20th December aged 78 years.

	Smt. Jayaben Laljibhai Bharania of Leicester passed away aged 80 years on 16th December.

	Shree Manilal Vandravan Raja of Harrow (formerly Kampala) passed away on 11th December 2008 aged 77 years.

	Shri Chunilalbhai Vasanji Popat of Wellingborough (formerly of Thyolo, Malawi) passed away aged 77 years on 3rd December.

	Shree Mahendrabhai Harjivan Popat of Palmers Green (formerly Nairobi) passed away on 29th November aged 60 years.

	Shree Dilipbhai Mansukh Unadkat of Wembley (formerly Kampala) passed away on 27th November aged 48 years.

	Shree Kamleshbhai Ratilal Vithlani of Enfield (formerly Jinja) passed away last year aged 44 years.

	Smt. Jayaben Amritlal Samani of Northwood (formerly Eldoret) passed away on 20th November aged 74 years.

	Smt. Muktaben Bachubhai Sodha of Southall (formerly Of Kabale, Uganda) passed away aged 81 years on 13th November.

	Shree Pankajbhai Kalyanji Kothari of Croydon (son of Kalyanjibhai Karmashi Kothari of Iganga) passed away on 12 November aged 56 years.

	Smt. Ramaben Ramanbhai Savani of Mombasa passed away 10th November in Nairobi

	Shree Jesangbhai Bhimji Dattani of Hatch End (formerly Kakamega) passed away on 8th November aged 76 years.

	Smt. Manjulaben Vrajlalbhai Jobanputra of Toronto sadly passed away on 4 November.

	Shree Dayaljibhai Ramji Jatania of Bushy, North London (formerly Nairobi) passed away on 3rd November.

	Smt. Sakerben Datta of Chesunt (formerly Mwanza) passed away in November aged 93 years.

	Smt. Otamben Kanjibhai Lakhani of Edgware (formerly Iganga, Uganda) passed away on 29th October aged 85 years.

	Shree Jayeshbhai Dhirajlal Sanghani of Loughborough (originally Kampala) passed away on 27th October having lost his battle against Leukaemia.

	Smt. Savitaben Hiralal Nathwani of Mombasa and Banglore passed away in Waterloo, Ontario on 27th October 2008 aged 92 years.

	Shree Bachulal Vasanji Sodha of Southall (formerly from Kabale, Uganda) passed away on 18th October aged 90 years.

	Master Suraj Sunilbhai Jamnadas Bhayani of Rayners Lane (formerly Kisumu) sadly passed away on 16th October aged 19 years.

	Rajeshbhai (Raju) Bhagwandasbhai Lakhani of Wembley (formerly Mombasa ) passed away on 8th October aged 54 years

	Miss Sheila Sodha, daughter of Hemleta and Shashikant Sodha of Wembley (formerly of Mwanza, Tanzania) sadly passed away on Sunday 3rd August 2008 aged 38 years.

	Contributions & Feedback

	If you have any contributions to make to our next e-newsletter, please email all relevant details / articles to enews@lcuk.org.uk. News items provided will be included if relevant and with space permitting. The eNews Editorial team reserves the right to make amendments if and as necessary

	Similarly, if you have any feedback to give us on this e-newsletter please email the Convenor Ajay Jobanputra on feedback@lcuk.org.uk - thank you for your time and support.