Virji Jeram Shingadia

Virji Jeram Shingadia was born in Bhogkhar, a small village near Porbandar in Saurastra, Gujarat, India on November 2^nd, 1936. As a child, he lived in India and was brought up in Kenya. He went to primary school in Kenya, and got a higher education in Nairobi, Kenya in Dav High School, but obtained no educational degree. He got married to Jamnaben Fatania on June 22^nd, 1955. He has 5 children: 3 sons and 2 daughters. All are married and live happy lives. He has a total of 15 grandchildren.

	My life in Kenya
1955-1972	After leaving school in 1955, joined a firm of Advocates and Notary Public in Nairobi, as a Law Clerk. After three years promoted as a Legal Executive. Duties included, inter alia, drafting pleadings, petitions, attending clients, recording statements, making research into law and generally handling all legal matters. Studied general principles of law and the law of contract at the University of Nairobi.
1958-1980	Self employed (part time work) as a senior partner in the firm, Kenya General Bureau. This firm was involved in civil debt recovery, serving Court processes and private investigations. Also Immigration and Nationality Consultant, In 1968 was appointed member of British Correspondent Committee on Asian migration from Kenya.
1968-1974	Associate Member of the Institute of Legal Executives of London, United Kingdom.
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	Community Services and Awards
1950-1980	Active member (Swayamsevak) ofBhartiya Swayamsevak Sangh.
1958-1960	Elected Assistant Secretary ofShree Sorathia Prajapati Gnati Mandal, Nairobi.
1960-1980	trustee and Life member of S.S.P.G.M Nairobi, and also a trustee of Shree Sorathia Prajapati Gnati, Mombasa, and subsequently during the last five years of the term, served as a Managing trustee of both the organizations. Shree Sorathia Prajapati Gnati Mandal, Nairobi - Award for honorary services rendered as Managing trustee and legal adviser. Shree Kutchi Leva Patel Samaj, Nairobi - Gold Medal for honorary services rendered as a legal adviser.
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	My life in United Kingdom
1980-1982	Director and Legal Adviser in the company, Hari-Har (UK) Limited.
1980-2001	Immigration and Nationality Consultant.
1982-2005	Managing Director ofJaks (UK) Limited and Jaks travel Service. Jaks (UK) Limited deals in international trade, project finance and commodities brokers, export and import.
1989	One day of this year was one of the luckiest days of my life as I had the honour to carry Ram Shila to Bharat on behalf of Hindus of the United Kingdom. This Ram Shila was blessed at the Virat Hindu Sammelan held at Milton Keynes on 26th-271h August 1989. This was one of the biggest gatherings of Hindus outside India.
1990-2001	Appointed Accredited Agent by the Home Office Passport Department now known as U.K. Passport Agency, London.
1992	Member of Organizing Committee of seminar on the New Economic Policy of India: Some Regional Alternatives and Global Perspectives. The Seminar was held at the London School of Economics on 18.07.1992.
1992-1998	Elected as a trustee of Hindu Cultural Society, (Slough Temple)
2002	Attended official opening ceremony of a primary school in Madhapar, Kutch, as the representative ofS.S.P.C. U.K, who donated funds for the construction of the school, and also ofSewa International U.K, on the 5th September 2002. The opening ceremony of the school was performed by H.E. the Governor ofGujrat Shri Sunder Singh Bhandari.
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	Current activities
1980-to date	Patron and Member of Executive Committee of Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community UK (Soumall branch).
1980-to date	Swayamsevak of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh UK
1992-to date	Managing trustee of Shree Sorathia Prajapati Education trust
1998-to date	Chairman of Overseas Friends ofBJP, (North West Region) UK Life member of VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) UK
2003-to date	U.K Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Viklcmg Parishad, India (This organization is for the handicapped people)

Associated with the following charitable organizations:
Sewa International UK
VHP UK
Asian Foundation for Help, London (helping the blind people in India)
Shri Ram Gau Sewa Samiti, Porbandar, Gujarat, India

Languages:
Gujarati, English, Hindi, Punjabi and Swahili

Dated at London this 15th day of August 2005