The news about the tragic end to the lives of Mr and Mrs Hirji Bhanji Taank has been added yesterday under: Hirji Bhanji Taank and Kanchanbhabhi Hirji Taank killed in Musoma on Aug 26, 2006.

Here are some information about Late Hirji Bhanji Thakersinh Taank.

[This is a correction and additional information to the events. The errors in dates and years were sent in by Bena (Late Shree Mohanbhai Dayalji's daughter). I have posted the copy of the email received under comments.

Thank you Benaben for your corrections.]

Hirji Bhanji Taank and Kanchanbhabhi were one of the very few Musoma folks who had decided to stay back in Musoma, when most of the Asians who had settled there decided to move either to UK, Canada, USA or India, due to the rapidly declining political and security situation during the mid 70s.

Hirji Bhanji married Kanchanbhahi in 1955 when he was 18yrs old and Kanchanbhabhi 16yrs old.

Hirji Bhanji Taank, aged around 69yrs (born in 1937), originally had a business in Musoma trading in the British made Raleigh bicycles. He travelled to the UK in July/August 1966 and returned to Musoma after just six months.

In 1968, Hirji Bhanji opened up a shop next to Late Shree Mohanbhai Dayalji’s shop, selling groceries, mainly to the Churches and missionaries located in and around the Musoma area. Hirji Bhanji sold this shop to Tarlochan Singh and bought another shop just four shops away.

Around 1981-82, Hirji Bhaanji Taank and his wife, Kanchanbhabhi chose to convert to Christianity from Hinduism.

Hirji Bhanji and Kanchanbhabhi did not have children. Hirji Bhanji had one brother, Vajubhai, who had settled in London, but had passed away around 24 years ago.

Kanchanbhabhi came from a big family. She was one of ten brothers and sisters, most of whom have settled in London, UK.

 

This is the initial news received via phone calls and emails. 

Hirji Bhanji Thakersinh Taank and his wife Kanchanbhabhi were found murdered on Saturday, Aug 26, 2006 in Musoma.

This news made its way through the Musoma Grapevine. Slowly but surely, a number of Musomians made contact with other Musomians and gradually got as much information as possible. This also shows the Musoma spirit is still alive in all Musomians.

Dr Manjul Vasant intially got the news from Pravin Vithalbhai Shah in Mwanza, on Monday, Aug 28th. This was a call of concern since there was no information of the immediate kith or kin to inform of the tragic deaths and also as to who would to the last rites of the deceased. Dr Vasant subsequently, got in touch with other Musomians to try and get contacts of the Thakersinhs’ next of kin.

Harshad Kothari got in touch with Chandrakant Naranbhai Patel - a close friend of Hirji Bhanji Taank - and got the contact numbers of Hirji Bhanji Taank’s two brothers-in-law in London. As per the last information, as of Tuesday, Aug 29th, the brothers-in-law are on their way to Mwanza via Nairobi.

Indiraben, daughter of Popat Ramji also assisted in contacting Musoma and doing whatever needed to be done. Her family is believed to be very close to Late Kanchanben Hirji Taank family now based in London. It is through this connection that the brothers-in-law received the information and made arrangements to proceed to Musoma.

When Indiraben called the Taanks’ telephone number in Musoma, she was able to speak to the local policeman who were coincidently at the house taking an inventory of the items in the house to see if anything was stolen. Mr Patel (relative of Pravinbhai) and Guru Singh (son of Late Santa Singh) were also present at the time. Indiraben was informed of the shocking turn of events that led to the tragic death of the Thakersinhs.

On the night of Saturday, Aug 26th, while the Taanks were having dinner, a former security guard (he, apparently, had been dismissed from his job as security guard) broke into the house and used a spear to end the life of Hirji Bhanji Taank and Kanchanbhabhi’s neck was broken. It was only on the morning of Monday, Aug 28th, that Pravinbhai Shah in Mwanza heard of this tragic incident.

Kanchanbhabhi’s family in London are very grateful to Indiraben and all the Musomians who took the time and made the effort in getting in touch and informing them of the news. Dr Vasant, Harshad Kothari, Mzee Kothari, J C Rao, Indiraben, Chandrakant Naranbhai Patel, Bharat Patel (who sent an email to me informing Musomablog of this news), Anil Shah who informed Manjul Shah, Botswana who got in touch with Musoma for the latest information -  have all come together in a time of need and shown the Musoma spirit. It is indeed very heartening.

Below is an excerpt of an email to J C Rao, from Manjul Shah, Botswana, which informs  of the news:

MANJULBHAI

Without a doubt, as soon as any further information is received, it will be posted on MusomaBlog and emailed to all Musomians.

In the meantimes, please add the Taanks and their family in your prayers.

Please share your thoughts and prayers for the Thakersinhs below, using the comments facility.