 Profile |
Patidar Samaj in Uganda was formed in 1933 with the objective of creating a community platform for
social interaction among the members of the community, facilitate religious and cultural activities
of importance, to formulate and implement plans and programmes that will address the
specific issues and in general contribute to the improvement in the general welfare of the
members of the community.
The History of Patidars in Uganda is traced to early 19th century, when at the instance
of the colonial British government brought Gujaratis to East Africa to build ports and
railways. There were so many Patel employees in the East African railways, that it was
known as ‘Patel Railways’. Some of the Patels, however, also started doing business…
The Community encouraged and helped many of their kinsmen to emigrate and settle
down in East Africa. It was no surprise that the Patidar Community, with their independent
entrepreneurship, powerful family loyalties, pragmatic nature, achievement-orientation,
and strong instinct of survival against any adverse situation contributed to the success of
the community in the East African region. The community has made substantial contribution
to socio-cultural and economic sectors. When the British lost their colony, the community
members stayed on…..
The resilient Patidar community, though ever willing to adapt to the constantly changing
external economic environment, maintain strong internal integration with reference to the
social life. The community retains its identity by organising themselves. The social identity
of the community is deeply embedded in Indian way of life which was highly intimate, co-operative, intense, and amicable. The religious, cultural bonds and nostalgia further cement those ties.
The same spirit is continued to be maintained and strengthened by Patidar Samaj in Uganda today. The Patidar Samaj Uganda aims to promote fraternal relationships among the members of the community and to foster social, spiritual, religious, moral, cultural and intellectual advancement of the members of the Samaj and society in general.
The Samaj operates from its own historic building which was opened in 1933 at Plot 11/13, Bombo Road, Kampala. |
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