Tour report of Sindhis staying in 8 cities of Gujarat ( 08-11-2011 to 15-11-2011)

Tour report of  Sindhis staying in 8 cities of Gujarat

( 08-11-2011 to 15-11-2011)

Published in (1) “Akhand Sindhu Sansar” (Dev) (partly) (monthly), Jan and Feb 2012 (2) “Samvad Sindhi”, Aug 1-15, 2012 (3) “Hindu” (Sindhi) (daily) dt. Dec 9-10-11-21-27-28, 2011 and Jan 6, 2012

Recently I got the nice opportunity to meet important Sindhis living in 8 cities/towns of Gujarat. They were good enough to arrange long meetings of Sindhis at a short notice on my request, for promoting our ancient culture, language and Sanskriti as well as for getting legitimate political and other rights  from the Central Govt. & for boosting the morale of the Community. Moreover, Sindhi , National and Spiritual literature was distributed. There was  good  enthusiasm, a great  love and affection and a red carpet treatment was extended to me everywhere too much to be described here. It is rare in big cities like Mumbai. Moreover it surpasses the discomforts of travelling long sojourns in Rly. Sleeper class (even sometimes w/o reservation) & getting irregular outside  food. The readers can themselves verify by taking such sojourns.

One particular point which was noticed everywhere, was that the Murtis of Bhagwan Jhulelal are normally kept in all Sindhi’s shops / offices or homes for preserving Sindhi identity. However wherever these Murtis were in short quantity, they  promised to keep the same in their premises in near future. The other point worth noting  was that leaving apart  Sindhi Schools, even Sindhi subject is not being taught (except Vadodara and Nadiad) in these towns/ cities which is  disheartening. Of course they mainly speak in Sindhi among themselves and at home with some Gujarati words on their tongue. (particularly in small towns & business people) & thus they have contributed to a great extent in preserving our rich culture & language , which is a  heartening point. However they are forgetting Arabian Script day by day & only 10% know this script  at present. They have cordial relations with local people and command good respect  among them particularly when they are mainly in business and in some cities they have a grip on main trades of the  city and they are mostly well off. The names and mobile nos. of attendees in these meetings were noted in each city. The further report of each city in a nut shell is as under:

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GODHRA (Nov 8-9, 2011)

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The total strength  in this town is quarter to two lakhs including 15000 Sindhis. The town has 2  Sindhi Panchayats namely, “Uttar Sindhi Panchayat” (President Shri. Gordhandas K. Tulsiani) and “ Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat” (President Shri. Kishorilal Bhayani). In addition there is one Central Panchayat namely “ Godhra Sindhi Samaj” whose  President is same Shri. Kishorilal Bhayani. These Panchayats do many social and cultural activities and celebrate annual festivals in co-operation with one an other.  They have one “Jhulelal Sindhi Dharamshalla” along with Temple near old bus stand. An other Dharamshalla with Jhulelal temple is situated at Civil Lines Panjrapol. In addition, they have two “Swami Shantiprakash Satsang Halls”, one of these is situated near  Yogeshwar Society at Bhuravav Road. They celebrate “Chetichand” with a big procession with “Jhankies” and joint “Priti Bhojan”. Moreover on other auspicious days like annual Guru Nanik Jayanti and monthly “Ganesh Choth” also they arrange such Joint Priti Bhojan.

          One important point which was noticed in this town is that they have strong bonds of Unity (particularly in Ladi Lohanas). They are prepared to sacrifice their life for one another, so much so that other communities do not dare to challenge them ( particularly after 2002 Godhra train riots). Shri. Haresh Dubey of Sindhi Council of India rightly puts it in his  book (Political rights  of Sindhis) “who says there is  no unity among Sindhis?” Our community should adopt this  virtue  of  these people. However it was seen that Ladi Lohanas  do not  have matrimonial connection with other sindhis  for which they  were  requested to mix up with all Sindhis  in matrimonial matters also. They were also advised to issue their panchayat circulars in Devanagiri Sindhi instead of Gujarati language in order to preserve our ancient and precious Sindhi language. 40 members were present in  the meeting at Swami Shantiprakash Hall at night on 08-11-2011 and 16 youngsters were present on the next  day in early morning  meeting on 09-11-2011 at the residence of President Shri. Gordhandas K. Tulsiani.

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VADODARA (Nov 9, 2011)

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This beautiful City is  called “Garden city  of Gujarat”. Its  population is 16 lakhs which includes nearly quarter to two lakh Sindhis. Hardly  20% of them Know Arabian Script. Nearly 60% of them speak in Sindhi among themselves and at home. The remaining  persons speak in Gujarati. Most of them stay in Sant Kanwar nagar. Here various Sindhi associations are doing various social and cultural activities in their own field such as 1) Sindh Sahit Sabha (Regd) (President Haresh Jethmalani)  2) Jai Jhulelal Sindhi Seva  Trust ( President Asumal Pahilwani)  3) Shri. Jhulelal Sahib Mandal ( President Gopaldas  Sohanda)  4) Baroda  Sindhi Central Panchayat (President- Hiro Lalwani )  5) All Gujarat Sindhi Association (President – Udharam Golani) , 6) Alkapuri Sindhi Association (President – Hargobind Lulla), 7) Baroda  North Sindhi Association (President Rup Hingorani ) , 8) Sant Kanwarram  Seva Mandal ( Secretary – Hargundas P. Tejwani) etc.

          There are many Sindhi Dharamshallas with temples particularly in Sant Kanwar Nagar. Such as Sant Satramdas, Sant Saroopdas , Sai Leela Shah Dharamshalla with temple Mira Krishin Mandir, Sai Dharam Darbar. In addition there is  famous Swami Teoonram Premprakash Ashram in the charge of Sant Shri. Ashok Prakash. Many melas of Sindhi saints are celebrated here. This Ashram has good  facility  of  logging and boarding for visiting Sindhi families. In addition, the city has  Karamchandani and Hingorani Sindhi Dharamshallas, Alkapuri Sindhi Hall in Alkapuri built by Alkapuri Sindhi Association , Sindhi Geeta Gyan Bhavan in India Bazar, Sukhi Kutir at R.V. Desai Road etc. Moreover there is one “Hari Shewa Girls  Vidyalaya (School) for Sindhi boys and girls in Sant Kanwar Nagar, with Sindhi medium of Instruction only from VIII to XII standard, (which indicates that Sindhi medium arrangement will end after  4 years !)

          They celebrate many annual festivals particularly Chetichand and Chaliha Sahib by taking joint food together. They view weekly Sindhi T.V. programmes on D.D. Girnar etc and are very  eagerly awaiting  the inauguration of 24 hours Sindhi T.V. channel. They have published a directory of Sindhi’s of  Vadodara. The City has many worth seeing tourist spots such as Sayaji Garden, Museum, Zoo, Laxmi Vilas  palace etc. and hence this city is rightly called as “Kala nagiri”. Here 22 members were present in the evening meeting , at the residence of Shri. Haresh Jethmalani on 09-11-2011 some of them namely S/Shri Udharam Golani, Purshottam Hemnani, Haresh Jethmalani , Murlidhar Bhojwani, Mohan Rohira, Smt. Bharati Kevalramani (Retrd. Principal) etc. gave their useful views in the interest of the Community.

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ANAND (Nov 10, 2011)

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The total capacity of this town is 3 lakhs which includes  600 Sindhis families ( 3500 persons) 75%  of them speak in Sindhi among themselves &  balance speak in Gujarti. Nearly 10 % of them (elders) know Sindhi Arabian Script. They have one Puj Anand Sindhi Panchayat whose president is Shri. Ashokkumar Ailani , Vice President Shri. Mahesh V. Paryani & Secretary is Shri. Lachhmandas Ukani. They do many Social activities together. They have 2 Sindhi Dharamshallas, namely Guru Nanik Sindhi Dharamshalla along with temple at Sant Kanwar Colony, Guru Nanik Society, behind C.P College, and Sindhu Bhavan, near Sukhod Talao, Jawahar colony. Both places are near to each other. Most of the Sindhis stay in these areas (including Jhulelal Society). Some of them stay in another Jawahar Colony near Tulsi cinema. They celebrate annual functions on a large scale. On Chetichand they take out big procession with Jhankis of Gods  in the town during day time and arrange joint  food in the evening  wherein prizes are given to merit candidates. They also arrange “Langar” (Bhandara) on Guru Nanik Jayanti during day time and arrange cultural programme during night time. I also got opportunity to attend this programme on this auspicious day ( 10-11-2011), at Guru Nanik Society. At least 1000 persons attended this programme each time i.e. during day and night and hence no separate official meeting  could take place with 23 official bearers and other members  of Sindhi Panchayat for want of time, but information was  exchanged and get together was made with them during course of these  programmes. There are many worth seeing temples in this town such as those of Swami Narayan, Sai Baba, Hanuman, Panchmurti, Gayatri & Sant Jalaram etc. temples. the Anand Amul Diary is also very famous throughout India.

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NADIAD (Nov 11, 2011)

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This town accommodates 2 lakh persons, wherein 1200 Sindhi families ( nearly 7000 persons) also stay. They  have powerful & reputed  “Nadiad Shahar Sindhi Samaj” whose president is Shri. Kumar Menghraj Tahiliani. He is  also Managing  Director of  a big co. named Asian Food Industries. Shri. Pessumal Keswani is Vice President and Shri. Murlidhar Artwani is their Secretary. They are doing many social and cultural activities. They have  3 Sindhi Dharamshallas along with temples namely Jhulelal Mandir, Sant Kanwar Ram Satsang Hall and Jhulelal Society & Mandir. All these have a good arrangement for  marriage purposes. 90% of them speak in Sindhi among themselves and at home. Nearly 10% of them know Sindhi Script Shri. Premchand  Lakhiani is Editor  of  “Sindhi Bhasha Weekly” in Sindhi (Arabian) script. There is  one Sindhi School here wherein  one Sindhi Subject is taught from  VIII to X Standard (which means this  subject will continue for 3 years only !).  They take out a big procession on the auspicious occasion of Chetichand ending in Bhandara (Jt. Food) They also celebrate Moon and Umasa every month. They arrange cultural programme on Sant Kanwar Ram’s Varsi & Guru Nanik Jayanti. Santram temple of this town is  very famous  in whole of Gujarat, wherein medical help is also given to needy persons. Mai Mata’s Temple is an other attraction. They arranged a meeting  on my request at Jhulelal Mandir ( 11-11-11) which broke all previous records in total attendance length of time  and No. of speakers. More than 150 persons attended which included not only  residents of this town but also neighbouring  areas of entire Kheda distt. Such as Mohamedabad ( 9 persons under Leadership of Babulal and Bhagwandas), Kapronj (Shri. Chetandas Mukhi), Kathlal ( Mukhi Kishinchand), Dacor (Mukhi Pitamberdas), Mahod, Umrath, Thasra etc. The entire Hall at 1st floor was full to capacity. A good no. of persons gave their inspiring views about betterment of Sindhi Community, which included Shri. Kumar Tahiliani, Dharamdas Tahiliani, Tarachand Motiani, Premchand Lakhiani, Kishorbhai , Mohan Rohira etc. The Sindhis of this town are united and help one an other Shri. Kumarbhai Tahiliani was elected as President of Sindhis of entire Kheda distt. in this meeting. Shri. Murlidhar Artwani–Secretary, had arranged everything nicely for this unforgettable meeting which ended with light repushments

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BHARUCH (Nov 12, 2011)

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In this town of  2 ½ lakh strength, nearly 2000 Sindhis (250 families) stay here. 60% of them speak in Sindhi in their community and the remaining speak in Gujarati language. Nearly 10% of them can read and write Sindhi Script. They had one Sindhi School till the year 2007 but now Sindhi language is taught during night hours twice a week with the efforts of NCPSL. They have 2 Panchayats namely, 1) Chhaproo Sindhi Panchayat (President Murlidhar M. Haryani, Secretary- Narain Bhojwani), 2) Industrial Sindhi Panchayat (Co-ordinators- Ramesh U. Thanwani &Naresh N. Thanwani ) Both Panchayats are doing Social activities in Co-ordination with each other. They arrange Priti Bhojan on annual festivals of  Chetichand, Chaliha Sahib, Guru Punam and on monthly Moon day. 60 members of these Panchayats meet together in every quarter of the year. They do not have any Sindhi Dharamshalla but they are very  anxious to get the same. They have 2 Jhulelal Temples- One at Nav Chowki in Obra Chakala Bazar and the other on the Bank of Pious Narbada river were in Chetichand day is celebrated on a larger scale with a  big procession which is also attended by many Sindhis of Mumbai , Ahmedabad etc. They have invited a Sindhi Brahman from outside of town and have arranged for his residential accommodation also for preserving Sindhi Sanskriti. They are United (particularly Chhaproos). They have do not have any matrimonial connection with other Sindhis. They were pressed to have such connection with all Sindhis particularly when most of them are born in India. 18 members were present in the meeting here at Sindhunagar Hall, Sindhunagar Society on 12-11-2011 which included 2 members i.e. Shri. Murlidhar Bhojwani and Shri. Hargundas Tejwani from Vadodra who inspired all members in the meeting by giving their useful views regarding betterment of Sindhi Community. Shri. Ramesh Thanwani suggested that Sindhis should get benefits of agriculture land from Govt. of India as many Sindhis  were Land lords and farmers in Sindh before  partition. Shri. Jawahar Varliani , Mohan Rohira and others also gave their views. Here Kabirwad, Chader Sahib Gurudwara, Jhulelal Temple, Swami Narayan temple, Nilkanth temple and Nareshwar Temple etc. (all on Narbada River) are worth seeing places.

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SURAT (Nov 13, 2011)

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The population of this  beautiful and large city is 45 lakhs which includes 1 lakh population of Sindhis Hardly 10% of them know Sindhi Script. Inspite of so many Sindhis, Unfortunately they do not have  any arrangement for teaching Sindhi (any Script) as one of the subjects- leave alone Sindhi school ! of course NCPSL has  arranged Sindhi classes in Ramnagar area, where many Sindhis are staying. There are various Sindhi Panchayats , Mandals, Ashrams and associations etc. here. The main Panchayat is “Puj Surat Sindhi Panchayat” whose President is Shri. Deepchand V. Goplani & Secretary is Shri. Pratapsingh Kamlani. They have total 39 working committee members (including office  bearers) who are divided in 7 wards of different  areas of the city. They have a strong constitution and 6 committees and they are doing wonderful social activities such as rewarding merit students in Quiz competition, rewarding and paying fees for merit and needy students upto 5 lakh rupees every year arranging annual functions in co-ordination with other organizations etc. They have also prepared a nice telephone directory of  all the Sindhi families of Surat. Their office is  Situated at Sindhu Bhavan, Timliyavad, Nanpura, Surat. The other Sindhi Associations include Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat , Surat Sindhi Punjabi Central Panchayat, Sindhi cloth Merchants Association Sindhu Seva Samiti, Ladi Lohana Yuvak Mandal, Lila Shah Seva Samiti and Mandal , Lok seva Mandal, Sant Kanwar Ram Seva Mandal etc. Moreover there are many  such Sindhi organizations, Temples, Dharamshallas etc. such as Swami Teoouram Asharam ,Daya Sagar Seva Mandal, Nij Dham Ahsram , Shri. Lal Sai Sindhi Seva Trust, Shri. Shiv Shankar  Seva Mandal, Sindhu Samaj Bhavan, Swami Lila Shah Bhavan etc. All these associations and Ashrams have their own good office bearers and workers and they are doing many praise worthy social , cultural and religious activities in their different fields. Some years back a new Prem Prakash Ashram is nicely built by Swami Brahmanand Shastri in City light area. Nearly 8000 Sindhis take Priti Bhojan (joint food) here on Chetichand day after having a big procession in the city. Like vise a big procession is also taken out from here in the month of Kartik and also on the occasion of Swami Teoouram Jayanti. The City has many  tourist attractions such as Sai Centre, Ocean Beach, Tapti river, Spiritual Ashram of Sant  Ahsram Bappu in Jahangirpura etc. Total 28 persons were present in the meeting at Sindhu Bhavan which was arranged by Puj Surat Sindhi Panchayat on 13-11-2011.

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NAVSARI (Nov 14, 2011)

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This town has 3 Lakh  people and 6000 Sindhis. They normally residing at Guru Nanak Nagar, Pritam Nagar, Sant Kanwar  Ram Sindhi Society and Shahar Area. They have 3 Sindhi Panchayats namely 1) Guru Nanak Sindhi Panchayat (President – Managhandas M. Kanjani, Vice Present – Premchand Lalwani, Secretary – Rameshbhai Hirani), 2) Sindhi Panchayat, Sant Kanwar Ram Sindhi society (Present – Ashokkumar K. Balwani , Secretary – Santoshkumar Lotani) This Panchayat has 22 families. 3) Sindhi Panchayat , Shahar (President- Dasbhai Budhrani, Secretary – Vijay Chotani Advocate). This Panchayat has 30 families. All these  3 Panchayats do many social & cultural activities in their own field and also celebrate annual Melas and other functions in co-ordination with each other. They were advised  to start a Central Sindhi Panchayat also. They celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti & Sant Vasan Shah Varsi by arranging  Priti Bhojan. They also celebrate Chetichand day and Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti by Priti Bhojan and procession in the Town. This town is famous  for temples. Such has Guru Nanak Hall and Mandir (in Sindhi Colony) , Sant Kanwar Ram Hall and Mandir, Lal Sai Mandir, Mataji’s Mandir, Gayatri Mandir, 2 Swami Narayan Mandirs , 3 Gurudwaras, Pribhdas Ashram etc. The Historical “Dandi is hardly at a distance of 16 Kms from here from where Mt. Gandhi had started Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) in pre – partition days. The meeting was  held at the residence of President Shri. Manghandas M. Kanjani on 14-11-2011 where in 19 members of abovementioned 3 Panchayats were present.

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VALSAD (Nov 15, 2011)

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This town of  2 lakhs population has only 140 Sindhi  families. They have one recently started “Puj Sindhi Panachayat  Valsad” whose President is Shri. Kishore D. Mulchandani & Secreatry is Shri. Pradip V. Vazirani. They do not possess any Sindhi Dharamshalla but only one Jhulelal Temple at Kailash Road, wherein they arranged for meeting on 15-11-2011 on my  request , wherein 17 persons were present. They are very  anxious to do something good  for their  brethren. Shri. Hindwani suggested  in the meeting  that whatever social work is aimed at  & decided by the community , the same should be followed up vigorously till the same is completed. They arrange Priti Bhojan on annual functions such as Chetichand, Guru Nanak  Jayanti and Akhand Tij. They normally speak in Sindhi among themselves and at home. Hardly  few of them know Sindhi Script. They are shortly going to start Sindhi directory of the town as well as other social and cultural activities. The Sea beach from here is at the distance  of 4 Kms only wherein Swami Narayan Temple, Sai Baba Temple and Shantiniketan “Tithal” are attractive places.

    Thus, I have given report of my sojourns to over 100 towns / cities in these columns which are enumerated in my book “Fragrance of Sindhi Community”. I strongly aspire at my heart that our community  should be united and we should form a Co-ordinating body  of all Sindhi Associations  in India by making minimum Common programme on the lines of  NDA/ UPA and persuade  Govt of India to get our legitimate political and other rights  and ultimately  to get  a Sindh Pradesh in India , with or without land , for preserving our language, Culture and Sanskriti, as we are the maximum sufferers due to partition of  India wherein , unlike  Punjabies and Bengalis , we  did not  get any Land. As we Sindhis have successfully passed the examination of standing on our own legs economically and contributed tremendously  in all directions for the good of the country by our self efforts, I am sure that we  shall also successfully pass another examination of achieving our legitimate  rights with the Grace of God and through our preservance  and patience. In furtherance of these objects , I have prepared above mentioned book and again contacted  these 95 cities  and collected relevant names and addresses with Telephone Nos. of  Important Sindhis and office bearers of Sindhi Associationes ( as  corrected upto 01-10-2011) and put the same  on my website www.fragrancesindhicommunity.blogspot.in. Moreover above 8 cities of Gujarat are also added to this  website, in order to ensure that all important Sindhis in all these cities / towns can be  connected with one and  other through the internet. The readers can visit the website and give their  valuable views.

   I am thankful to the Editors for putting my reports and articles in their periodicals in the interest of the Community.

Mohan G. Rohira 

Advocate

Mobile no: 9321448147

Email Id: mohangrohira@gmail.com