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Jayantilal
Gokaldas Samji Rajani
our
life is short, but good deeds and
services to mankind are everlasting
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Coastweek
- - Late Jayantilal Gokaldas
Samji Rajani (J.G. Rajani) was born on 12th May, 1928 in
Mombasa, Kenya and lived his life out here till 18th May, 2001.
His father late Gokaldas
Samji Rajani came to Kenya in 1901 as a storekeeper with one of the
merchants in Mombasa.
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From there he started
his own business as a coffee broker around 1910.
He continued as a broker
and in 1942, he invested in a nail making plant.
After completing his the
then 'London Matriculation - (GCE)', joined the firm of nail making
called Virani Nail Works Limited.
In 1955, he acquired the
shares of the other partner in Virani Nail Works Limited and started
his 100 per cent owned company under the name of East African Nail
Works Limited operating out of site situated behind the current
railway station.
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Coastweek
- - Late
Jayantilal Gokaldas
Samji Rajani. |
He then expanded the
business by adding more nail machines until July, 1958, when he
entered into partnership with Chandaria Family and they together
started the integration of wire product industry in Kenya under the
umbrella of East African Wire Industries Limited.
The works were then
moved to Shimanzi Industrial Area where wire drawing plants were
installed to cater for the nail making machinery.
From then on, the
development of steel industry moved forward until the formation of
Kenya United Steel Company Limited (KUSCO) in 1968, when installation
of the first steel rolling mill took place, which was officially
opened by the Late President Of Kenya Mzee Jommo Kenyatta on 12th
January, 1971.
KUSCO is currently
operating and is presently still the largest integrated steel works,
where the facilities have been further expanded to produce raw
materials for steel, wire and wire products by melting local scrap.
While Mr. J.G. Rajani
concentrated in developing steel industry in Kenya, he also expanded
his horizons of wire industry in neighbouring countries like Tanzania
and Uganda.
Apart from business
developments in Kenya and the neighbouring countries, he was also very
active in his social life.
He was on the board of
governors at Coast Girls High School, Secondary School Girls Hostel,
Mombasa Nursery Schools Society.
He was also a member of
Kenya Institute Of Management and Kenya Association Of Manufacturers
as well as Federation Of Kenya Employers.
He was also honoured as
a Trustee of Pandya Memorial Hospital, Mombasa Sports Club, Santokben
Nursery School and the Lohana Community.
His contribution to
rotary international was unlimited, where, from the time he joined
Rotary, he was involved in all aspects of Rotary from vocational to
community service to international service and achieved chairmanship
of the Rotary Club Of Mombasa and later was elected the District
Governor of Rotary District 9200, which covered fourteen countries and
thereafter was the Rotary International President's Representative in
many countries presenting papers at Rotary District Conferences and
conventions on behalf of the R.I. President.
He was instrumental in
setting up Polioplus Project of Rotary in Kenya, which is currently in
progress, ensuring every newborn child to be vaccinated for polio in
Kenya.
Mr. J.G. Rajani's
unlimited and unselfish contribution towards education schemes and
community service was immense, which showed from his enthusiasm and
devotion and his spirit of service will continue to inspire those who
come after him.
This devotion will
always be a continued reminder to all, that life is short, but good
deeds and services to mankind are everlasting.
Mr. J.G. Rajani leaves
behind his wife, three sons, two daughters and nine grand-children.
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