Rtn. Gowri S Oza

Rtn. Gowri Oza joined Rotary in 1998, but her association with the organization goes back a long way as her husband, Late Rtn.  SNEHAL OZA was an active member of Rotary.

Over the years, since her induction into the organization, she has held the post of Chairperson of various committees. She joined the Board for the first time in 2003 and since then has served as a board member for 10 times and has been the full time Secretary for two years.

As Director of Youth Services, she has been instrumental in introducing sports-related youth events, Utpulta and Kreeda Habba, in addition to her contributions to the RYLA program. She has been conducting these events religiously and successfully for the past eight years.

Being one of ten siblings, she had a memorable childhood. Rtn Gowri is a science graduate from Bangalore University and during her college days she tried her hands at various sports. Outdoor activities have been her passion since her teenage years. She has participated in District, State and National level swimming competitions and won several medals. Her latest was in Mangalore last year where she won 6 medals.

Another laudable achievement was when she was selected to represent her state as an NCC Cadet in the Republic Day Parade in 1971. She was awarded the All-India Best Cadet and had the opportunity to have a lunch meeting with Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President V. V. Giri.

Social causes have always been a part of her life. She was a member of the Ladies Circle India and the Ladies Wing of the Round Table India. During her time as a Circler, she represented our country as the Ambassador of the Ladies Circle of India to Great Britain and Ireland on a Ladies Circle International Travel Grant.

In her prime, she was a successful entrepreneur. She ran a thriving boutique specializing in leather goods. She later took over the management of Om Ashu Enterprises, which dealt in lighting and false ceilings. She ran the business very successfully for two decades before deciding to retire.

Those of you who know her well should know by now that she has an intense love of cooking. It is one of her favourite hobbies and she loves to experiment with new recipes and dishes. Her innovative dishes have even won her a few awards and prizes in various competitions.

Her daughter Ashwini Oza and son-in-law Chetan G Raja are the founding partners of the brand Arnav, a unique jewelry design studio. Ashwini has won several awards for her stunning designs.

Her son, late Akarsh Oza, was an architect. Her daughter-in-law Lavanya is a successful architect and runs the design studio.

Gowri has four beautiful grandchildren.