Sixty two years ago, the people of our community were hardly educated at all and they did not understand that education would be any good for them. In those days, to study in one’s hometown was hard, but to even dream to study in other countries was impossible.
The Legend
A few months after the Independence of India, a youngster of our village Baladia, called Mr Naran Jadva Murji Vekaria, with his ambitions, set on a Dhow (a low sided sailing ship) to London, arriving on the 2nd of September 1948. He was the first Kanbi to set foot in England and was also the first one from our village. Upon arriving in London, he joined the Polytechnic School of Architecture and studied there from 14th September 1948 until 16th January 1950. Thereafter, he went to study at The Liverpool School of Architecture from the 2nd October 1951 until July 1955, where he gained his degree in Architecture.
He became the first Kanbi to achieve an Architectural degree and the first of any kind outside of India. To gain his experience whilst studying, and even after achieving his degree, he worked at Gunton & Gunton Architects and Surveyors from September 1954 until December 1955. Thereafter, in January 1956, with his educational achievements and skills, he left for India.
He was a very kind, humble and religious person and was always willing to give his service to his community. He designed the Shree Karsan Gopal Jesani Hospital, the Shree Baladia Kumar and Kanya School, the great Sabha Mandap of Shree Abjibapa Shree Ni Chhatri (without any steel columns 40 years ago) and the water supply project for Shree Baladia Vikaas Samiti, which all withstood the major earthquake of 2001.
We, as Baladians, honour the warm-hearted Mr Naran Jadva Murji Vekaria for all his great efforts and services to all his fellow Kanbis.