TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN GOA
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Goa (2009) and subsequently Feb 24-26, 2012
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TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN CITIES OF GUJARAT (
July-Aug 1998)
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Ahmedabad (Karnavati) (Jul-Aug 1998)
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Ahmedabad
(Karnavati) : (July 2000)
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Please also refer to previous
report
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KHAMBAT (Guj): (July 2000)
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BHAVNAGAR (Guj)
: (July 2000)
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ADIPUR (Guj)
: (Oct 2000)
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GANDHIDHAM
(Guj) : (Oct 2000)
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DAHOD (Guj):
(Oct 2000) (Nov 7, 2011)
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KUTCH ZONE
(Guj) - EARTHQUAKE: (Feb 2001)
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Published (1) N E W S L E T T E R of BHARATIYA SINDHU
SABHA (Sindhi) Mar-2001 (2) partly in “Sindhi International”, April 2001
Tour OF Earthquake affected areas of Kutch in
February 2001
(Mohan G. Rohira)
After learning
about the great natural calamity of the earthquake in Gujarat, particularly
Kutch (on 26/1/2001) ,I along with 7 prominent persons in a group had gone
there on behalf of Bandra Hindu Association, International Sindhi Forum, Mataji
Rampyari Darbar and Sindhi Social Samaj, Khar (Mumbai), for the purpose of
surveying the situation and distribution of relief materials. The report in a
nutshell is as under :
The exact casualty
figures cannot be ascertained as some have been buried alive under the debris
and those who were saved or injured have left the broken houses and migrated to
their relatives / Friends. Hence wherever possible approximate figures are
given. The tragedy is beyond description.
Twin cities of
Adipur and Gandhidham :- These cities have also suffered in the earthquake but
there was no information on the newsmedia or T.V. for 1st 4/5 days and no help
came from Govt, for these days as if these cities are not on Indian map! These
cities which were founded by Bhai Pratap for Sindhi refugees after partition of
the country half a Century back, have again been uprooted as if second
partition has taken place for the inhabitants. Over 1200 people have died, more
than that injured, great number of buildings have collapsed partly or fully
& thousands have become homeless in these cities. However the number of
casualties and properties destroyed is more in Gandhidham as compared to
Adipur. In the hostel of Tolani Foundation, 35 students and Teachers have died
on the spot during Republic Day celebrations. We met important personalities
like Shri Lakhmi Khilani & Pritam Variani (Sindhology), Mrs. Nirmala
Gajwani (Chair person S.R.C.), Mrs. Vishni Israni (Ex-President Gandhidham
Municipality) & Shri Hari Atmaram (Gen. Secretary, Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha
& Sindhu Varsha Foundation) with whose help the material brought by us
could be distributed.
BHUJ TALUKA :-
Here total 170 villages are affected. In all 35000 families are affected in
Taluka & 25000 families in city area. Old city is worst affected whereas
new areas of city are partly saved including Jhulelal Society. RSS/ VHP have
opened relief centres in 71 villages in BHUJ Taluka & 34 centres in the
city. They also started relief centres at Bachau, Rapar, Anjaar, etc. They feed
12000 persons daily with 400 volunteers irrespective of community, creed,
colour or religion.
ANJAAR :- Here the
number of casualties is 4000 and that of injured is 2000 in the total
population of 1,00,000. Nearly 3000 houses have collapsed fully and 9000
partly. RSS/VHP feed 2500 persons daily. They have employed 100 doctors for
medical help.
BHACHAU :- This is
the worst affected Area. The city looks like a dead one, like Mohenjo Daro of
Sindh. RSS/VHP Volunteers are feeding 5,000 persons daily. They have employed
58 skilled doctors. In Rapar alone almost 90% people and in Dudhai 6000 people
have died and all 1200 houses collapsed. In Morbi, 50 houses of Sindhis have
been destroyed. Other affected areas are Surendar Nagar, Vankaner, Mandvi, etc.
Likewise faraway
places like Surat, Maninagar, and Ahmedabad, etc. are not spared by nature, In
Maninagar, Ahmedabad, 18 buildings have collapsed & 25 sindhis died. In
proper Ahmedabad 50 sindhis have died and so many of them have become homeless.
The Non -Govt,
organisations have been doing marvelous yeoman services without distinction of
caste, creed, colour or religion as compared to the Govt. help. These
organisations are as under :
R.S.S. , V.H.P.,
Ramakrishna Mission, Sai Samiti of Satya Saibaba, Yog Vedant Seva Samiti of
Sant Sri. Asharamji, Premprakash Ashram of Swami Teooramji, Chinmaya Mission,
Red Cross, Vishwa Jagruty Mission of Acharya Sudhanshuji Maharaj, Sindhu Varsha
Foundation, Bharitya Sindhu Sabha, Brahmakumaris, Kutch Yuvak Sangh, Swaminarayan
Mandir, Arya Samaj, various Sindhi organisations from Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara
and Ahmedabad. Moreover Sadhu Vaswani Mission in collaboration with Divine Life
Society Hospital (Adipur) have opened a temporary Hospital in Garden Restaurant
at Adipur (Gandhidham). Some foreigners from Denmark and other places with
ultramodern medical equipment for operations have opened temporary Hospitals in
tents on Radhaswamy plot in Gandhdham. Hinduja Foundation has announced a
donation of Rs. 5 Crores for relief and rehabilitation of affected areas.
Likewise Sikhs, Godriwala Sant of Jalgaon, Sai Hirdaram of Bairagadh (Bhopal)
etc. are helping a lot.
V.H.P. / R.S.S
have arranged 20000 part time and 3000 full time workers in whole of Gujrat
affected areas for relief and rehabilitation. They have distributed 950 trucks
of relief materials among the people such as 103,000 Kambals, 31000 big tents,
81500 Big Cartons of medicines, 10215 meters tarpolin, 80400 litres of milk, 3
lakh litres of water bottles and pouches, 46000 Kg. of Rice, 32000 Kgs of Dal, 37455 Kgs. Wheat flour,
etc. They have opened 9 centres (4 in Bhuj,2 in Ahmedabad and one each in
Bhachau, Anjar and Surendranagar). In all 23325 persons have been treated in
their hospitals. They have started 9 centres of “Bhojanalayas” where 10000
persons are fed in each centre. They have also started new schemes for
rehabilitation of the masses such as "Vatsalaya Mandirs" (where free
books and stationery is supplied to students), Parivar Datak (adoption of a family)
and Gram Datak (adoption of a village). These figures are collected upto
6-2-01. Further activities are in progress. Likewise, other above stated
organizations are working with their own programme and in collaboration with
one and other.
The following materials are needed urgently
:- Utensils, Cement, readymade clothes, Food grains, such as wheat, flour,
rice, moong dal, sugar, tea, salt etc., Blankets, medicines, tents, batteries,
etc. The houses with small cracks are to be repaired. Other houses which are
not safe are to be removed and new ones (small houses) to be constructed at
their place with 50% Govt. loan interest free for a period of 6 years.
Life is like a
bubble and it is struggle for survival. Nothing is certain in this ever
changing world except the law of change. It is therefore everyone's duty to
help these affected persons in all respects so that they can start a new life
and stand on their own legs. More help is needed particularly in Adipur &
Gandhidhan where sufficient help has not reached so far as compared to other
affected areas. We appeal to NRI & Other philanthrophist Sindhis to come
forward and adopt these cities / Villages on the lines as some of the other
affected villages have been adopted by others. Let us remain as good human beings
and pray to Almighty God to keep all human beings safe and happy.
Tour report of Sindhis of Gujarat during April 2009
(Mohan G. Rohira, Advocate)
Published in (1) “Sujag Sindhi” (Dev) dt. Jun-1-2009 (2)
“Hindu” (Sindhi) June-2 and 4-2009
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SIHOR (April 22,
2009):
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This tiny town is
situated on Western Rly at a distance of 30 Kilometers from Bhavnagar. Its
total population is only 70,000 including 100 Sindhi families. The President
& Secretary of Sindhi Samaj, Sihor, respectively are Shri Gordhandas
Mewalamal Chawla and Shri Hareshbhai Narumal Chimnani. They have built Sri Guru
Nanak Sindhi Gurudwara in Sindhi Colony where they often meet together on
social, religious, happy and unhappy occasions. They are normally in different
businesses. Here the specialty of Sindhis is that they speak only in Sindhi
only at home and among themselves. Of course some Gujarati words have made
inroads in Sindhi Language due to the overall atmosphere of Gujarati language.
They celebrate the annual festivals of Guru Nanak Jayanti & Chetichand on a grand scale
e.g. by arranging "Akhand Path Sahib” for 3 days, keeping their shops
closed throughout the day, eating food together twice a day & arranging
procession in the town. Not only that, but they also arrange "Prabhat
Pheri" for 15 days in Guru Nanak
Jayanti. They also celebrate other annual festivals with much fun &
fair. They are strongly united. If any Sindhi is ill-treated by any local
person or if there is death of a Sindhi in the town, all the Sindhi shops
remain closed on that day. Thus they serve a good and inspiring example for the
Sindhis of other cities. However it is shocking to state here that I could not
find even a Single Sindhi person there who could read & write in Sindhi
Language or take free Sindhi Literature from me as all their correspondence is
in Gujarati language. They appreciated this & assured me to implement
shortly my suggestion of keeping Laminated Murtis of Sai Jhulelal at their
shops/ homes for keeping their identity in tact (on the lines of Bangalore Sindhi
Samaj). 17 important Sindhis attended the meeting for 2 hours on 22-04-09 and
their Tel. Nos were noted. The places worth seeing in the town are Sri
Gotameshwar Mahadev mandir & Sri Navnath Mandir.
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PALITANA (April 23,
2009)
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This tiny town is
65 km away from Bhavnagar. Its total population is 80,000 including 500 Sindhi
families. The town has 6 Sindhi Panchayats showing the names of towns in Sindh
from which they or their parents had originally come during partition of the
country, such as 1) Shikarpuri Sindhi Panchayat (President, Ghanshyambhai
Gambhani), 2) Kandhra Sindhi Panchayat (President, Udhomal Kukreja), 3) Riyasat
Sindhi Panchayat (President, Maheshbhai Badlani) 4) Pirgothai Sindhi Panchayat
(President, Rameshbhai Kanjani, 5) Khanpur Sindhi Panchayat (President,
Panjumal Mandani), 6) Ghotki Sindhi Panchayat (President, Shambhoobhai
Talreja). Moreover they have one Sindhi General Panchayat named "Palitana
Sindhi Samaj" whose Secretary is Shri Sudhamabhai Manjhar & President
is Shri Ashokbhai Prabhumal Nainani. He is also President, of Bhavnagar Distt.
Sindhi Panchayat. All the aforesaid persons of all Sindhi Panchayats were
present (total 24) in the meeting dt. 23-04-2009 for 2 hours which was called
by them on my request with a short notice, which shows their sincerity and
devotion for the Community.
The Sindhis of
this town have built 3 centres namely 1) Jyoti Swaroop Sindhi Dharamshala, 2)
Riyasat Sindhi Hall and 3) Sant Kanwar Ram Hall. These places are mainly meant
for their meetings for social, religious, happy & unhappy occasions. The
town has 7 Sindhi Temples which include 3 Sri Guru Nanak Gurudwaras, 3 Jhulelal
Mandirs and 1 Ganapati Mandir. All the Sindhis here speak in Sindhi only at
home & among themselves. It is gratifying to note that they have one Hemu
Kalani Sindhi High School wherein Sindhi (Devnagiri Script) is taught as one of
the subjects. Practically all are in different businesses. They celebrate
annual festivals such as Guru Nanak
Jayanti & Chaliha Sahib with "Langar Prasadi" (Preeti
bhojan) on a grand scale. Moreover on
auspicious occasion of Chetichand they take out procession with "Behrana
Saheb" on a large scale and serve "Prasad" to all passers-by
including local persons and all sindhis of the town take "Priti
Bhojan" (preeti bhojan) together, so much so that they don't light fire in
their own kitchen on that day. They are united and meet among themselves on
marriage and death occasions. They do much social work through their panchayats
such as giving financial help to 15 Sindhi poor families, giving prizes to
merits students, celebrating Sindhi week during Shravan month wherein they
arrange competition among Sindhi students, arrange medical camps etc. They have
good relations with local people. The town has many world famous Jain temples
worth seeing named Shrutunjay Giriraj temples (on a hill nearby) &
Hastagiri temples and a Shrutunjay Dam.
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAVSARI (Nov 14,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VALSAD (Nov 15,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Tour Report of Sindhis staying in 20 cities of
Saurashtra in February, 2018
In continuation of my endeavours to bring Sindhi community
together & to preserve our identity & rich culture by getting in touch
with the office bearers of various important Sindhi organisations across 154
cities/towns in India & abroad so far, recently I got the golden
opportunity to visit following further 20 cities/towns of Saurashtra (Gujarat)
during later half month of February 2018.
One important gratifying & worth noting factor which was
seen in these cities, was that Sindhis here mainly (say 90% to 100%) speak in
Sindhi language only at home & among themselves, of course this percentage
of speaking in Sindhi is lower to some extent in few big cities (i.e. Rajkot,
Jamnagar, Dwarka, Okha, Surendranagar etc.).After settling financially, Sindhis
here are getting awakened day by day to preserve their culture & language.
If this trend continues, our ancestral & ancient language has no danger of
getting extinguished. Though most of Sindhi schools have been closed to a great
extent, however Sindhi language classes are run by some devoted social workers
& by NCPSLin some cities. Sindhis of these cities are expert in celebrating
annual festivals & they have been preserving our rich culture &
Sanskriti. They are well versed in Gujarati language. They have become very
successful in Main businessess of the cities due to their qualities of hard
work, patience, perseverance & ability coupled with having mixing nature.
They have become even owners of Hotels & Industries in some cities &
thus on the whole they are financially well off with the grace of Sai Jhulelal.
Some of them have become Doctors, advocates or occupied good jobs. They have
good relations with local people & command good respect among them due to
their humble & serving nature. However they have no interest in politics
& hence politically, they are far behind, like Sindhis of other cities.
They are more or less united & do so many social activities for the
community by forming Panchayats & associations. They often meet together on
happy & unhappy occasions. They normally keep the photos of Sai Jhulelal,
Guru Nanik & Swami Lila shah at their homes/shops, which helps to identify
them. They view Sindhi programs on Sindhi T.V. channel. They care very much for
Sindhyat. They are also very hospitable. More over they have built many
temples, Panchayat Halls & Dharamsallas wherein even local masses also are
benefited. The name & Mob Nos. of all attendees in each city’s meetings
were noted down & Sindhi & National literature was also distributed at
every place. Remaining details of these cities/towns in a nut-shell are as
under:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
SURENDRANAGAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city has strength
of 4 lakhs. Sindhis comprise of 120 families. They have one ‘Surendranagar
Sindhi General Panchayat’ (President Gordhanbhai Lakhani, Ex President &
Temples I/C Hasmukhbhai Katariya, secretary Dr. Chetan Pinrani). They have one
Jhulelal Gurudwara Mandir. Sindhis of this city are owners of 4 big Hotels
& factories. Most of other businessess are also controlled by them. They
have prepared a directory of city’s Sindhis in order to get in touch with one
an other particularly at the times of happy & unhappy occasions. They take
out procession & ‘Prabhat Pheri’ respectively on the auspicious occasions
of Chetichand & Guru Nanik Jayanti. They also take joint food & close
their shops & factories on these occasions. They also celebrate other
festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi etc. properly. The worth seeing places are Dada
Bhagwan Mandir, Ganapati Mandir & Dam (4 km). The meeting of their
Panchayat took place on 15-02-2018 in a big Sindhi Hotel from 11 to 1 pm,
wherein 38 members were present. The meeting was followed by lunch.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
MORVI
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The city’s population is 5 lakhs wherein 300 Sindhi families
stay. They have 5 Sindhi Associations with President’s name in brackets)
1. Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat ( Lachhmandas Chhattaram
Sukhdev).
2. Sindhi Hindu Panchayat (Jamnadas S. Golani).
3. Bhanushali Sindhi Samaj (Rambhai G Mange),
4. Sindhi General Panchayat (Rajubhai G.Ramani),
5) Sindhi Daryahlal Mandal Trust (Mohanlal U. Gwalani).
They have one ‘Sindhu Bhavan’ along with temple on railway
station road from where they conduct all their social activities including
ceremonies on happy & unhappy occasions. Here also Sindhis are owners of
Hotels & factories along with other business. They take joint food &
take out procession on the auspicious occasions of Guru Nanik Jayanti &
Chaliha Sahib & close their shops for half a day. (They were persuaded to
close their shops etc. for whole day in future).Each association have prepared
Mobile Nos. list of their members so that they can contact their members by
phone or W/A on the happy, unhappy & other social occasions. All
associations do many social activities in their own field & also celebrate
jointly all the auspicious annual festivals. The worth seeing places are
Jaltapur hanging bridge, Trilokdham & Three Mandir (4 km). The meeting of
all Sindhi associations took place in the aforesaid Sindhu Bhawan on the same
date i.e. 15-02-2018 from 8 pm to 10 pm wherein 27 members were present.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
RAJKOT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This famous big city is Head quarter of Saurashtra region. The
total population is 15 lakhs which includes 40,000 Sindhis . They have formed
some 23 Sindhi associations out of which nearly 15 associations are active in
doing their social work in their own field & also celebrate annual
festivals in co-ordination with one an other. They have one General Panchayat
namely Sindhi Samaj Rajkot (Representing all Panchayats) whose President &
secretary respectively are S/ Shri Lilaram H. Poptani & Brijlal Sonwani.
Other association representing whole Saurashtra region is Akhil Saurashtra
Sindhi Panchayat Federation” having branches in all cities of this region whose
president & General Secretary are also same aforesaid 2 persons. Bharatiya
Sindhu Sabha has branch in this city whose President is Shri Shyamsunder N. Chandiramani.
The city has
2 Sindhi schools having Sindhi (with
Arabian Script)as one of the subjects. They are Sadhu Vaswani School &
Swami Shanti Prakash Primary School. NCPSL also manages Sindhi classes in this
city. Seven Sindhi Dharamshalas are built here for social & marriage
purposes. The city has 10 Sindhi Temples & it is Head quarters of
SadhuVaswani Centre whose secretary is Shri B.B Gogia. Smt. Vidya B. Gogia is
president of Mahila Vikas Kendra wherein embroidery & tailoring classes are
managed by her. The branches of sadhu Vaswani centre are established
practically in all main cities of saurashtra region. Their President Shri
Haresh Godhwani stays in Junagadh.
They celebrate
many annual festivals. They take out procession & close down their shops on
the occasion of Chetichand. On the occasion of Guru Nanik Jayanti they take out
‘Prabhat Pheri’ in early Morning. They also take out procession on Chaliha
Sahib’s last day. They take joint food on all these festivals. They have also
formed “Sindhi Credit Society” wherein loan on reasonable interest is given to
needy genuine Sindhis. This is a right step which I have never heard in my
Sojourn of 174 cities so far. Here also some Sindhis are owners of Industries
& one Hotel management college. Shri Dhanrajbhai Jethani is editor of
“Aajkal” a Gujarati daily evening Newspaper wherein Sindhi News are also
published. The worth-seeing places are Jaberi Garden (with Museum & a big
library), Race Course Park, Kasturba Gandhi “Delo” (house). The meeting of Sindhi
Samaj Rajkot took place on 16-02-2018 in the evening from 6 to 8 pm at Sant
Prasad, Gaikwadi, near Rly station wherein 15 members were present.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
JAMNAGAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In all six & half lakh is population of this city. Sindhis
comprise of 25000 persons with 32 Sindhi Associations, the details of each
association can not be described here. However some of them is mentioned as
under (President is shown in brackets)
1) Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha &
2) Sukkur Sindhi Panchayat (Ghanshyamdas Gangwani, President
for both).
3) Utar Riyasat Sindhi Panchayat (Nandlal Khetumal Makhija).
4) Lodi Lohana
Sindhi Panchayat- Rajkumar Ramnani).
5) Sindhu
Bhanushali Mahajan Sarovar ( Gyanchand Narsimal Bhadra).
However Jamnagar Sindhi
Samaj represents all Sindhi Panchayats whose President is Shri Udhavdas
Bhugromal Chandiramani. He is also president of Dadu District. (Sindhu Jyot)
Sindhi Panchayat. All associations do enormous social activities in their
fields & with co-ordination with one an other & also celebrate annual
festivals.
It will not be out of place to mention here the activities of
Sindhu Seva Trust, which mainly deals in the field of Health, Education &
culture in the community. Their office bearers are as under:
1. Health: Shri N.N. Lalchandani – Patron (New York)
2. Hospital: Shri Dayal Harjani – Patron, Shri
Vikyomal Shrof founder President. This is very famous hospital in the Globe.
3. Culture: Shri Ramesh Bhatia Patron (Dubai)
4. Education: Shri L.K. pagrani – Patron (Dubai)
5. L.V.S
Mahavidyalya (High School)
Shri Chandru Vikyomal Shroff – Patron (Dubai).
They have one P. N. Parwani Primary school with Sindhi (
Arabian Script) as one of the subjects. This trust also runs Swami Shanti
Prakash Bal Mandir & Sant Asharam primary School. This year 45 Students
took part in examination of Sindhi subject arranged by NCPSL under the banner
of this trust, whose President is Shri Dhanraj M.Mangwani. He is also Vice
President of Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha Gujarat.
The City has 6 Sindhi Dharamshallas namely:
1. Sindhu Jyot Dadu distt Sindhi Dharamshalla. 2. Sukkur distt Panchayat
S. Dharamshalla 3. Riyat Panchayat S. Dharamsala 4. Swami Lilashah. S.
Dharamasala, 5 & 6. 2 Sindhi Bhanushali Panchayat Dharamshallas. They have
4 temples such as 1. Jhulelal Mandir (Jhulelal Chowk), 2 , Guru Nanik Mandir 3)
Prem Prakash Mandir 4)Ambe Mata Mandir (All 3 in Nanikpuri). They also
celebrate all annual festivals collectively. Nearly 2500 persons of the
community take out processions & take joint food together & close their
shops for half day on the auspicious occasions of Chetichand & Guru Nanik
Jayanti. Jhulelal Sena & Daryahlal Group manage Chetichand program.
Dasahera of Sindhis of this city is very famous in whole of Gujarat, wherein
nearly one lakh masses (from city & out side) view the burning of effigies
of Ravana etc. They also celebrate Hemu kalani Myrtors day, 10th April Sindhi
Bhesha day, Maharaja Dahersen Jayanti etc. Here the worth seeing tourist places
are Swami Narayan Mandir, Jain Mandir, Bal Hanuman & Sri Ram Mandir
(wherein Ramnam Kirtan is continuously chanted throughout the day & night
without any break), Lakhota lake, world famous Solorium Hospital, Shamshan Ghat
etc. The city also has 4200 electronic, electric & brass industries. Nearly
15 such industries are owned by Sindhis. The meeting of Jamnagar Sindhi Samaj
took place on 17-02-18 from 9 pm to 11 pm at Sukkur Panchayat Dharamshala
Khambali Gate wherein 19 members were present.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 & 6. OKHA & DWARKA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These two cities are at a distance of 20 kms from each other,
which are collectively called as “ Okha Mandal”. Their total population is 6
lakhs which is fifty fifty in each city. Sindhis comprise of 70 families out of
which 20 families stay in Dwarka, 15 families in Okha & the remaining 35
families stay in Mithapur area (Okha). They have formed Okha Mandal Sindhi
Samaj representing both cities (President Shantilal Purushottamdas, V.
President Mohandas Mulchand Tikmani & secretary Jagdish Hiranand Padwani).
They have 2 Dharamshallas in Dwarka namely. 1. Shri Rajavir Vikramaditya Sindhi
Dharamshala. 2) Jhulelal Sindhi Dharamshala. Shri Kamal D. Tolani is in charge
of both Dharamshallas which include Temples also. They celebrate Chetichand,
Guru Nanik Jayanti & Raja Vir Jayanti etc. in both cities. They take priti
bhojan together & close shops for half a day on these occasions. They have
formed “Okha Mandal Whatsapp Group” in their mobile phones so that they can
contact one an other on happy & unhappy occasions. The main attraction of
Dwarka City is “ Dwarkadheesh Tirath Dham” which is one of such 4 Dhams spread
in all directions of India. There is also “Bet (Island) Dwarka” which is
reachable by boat from Okha. The meeting of Okha Mandal Sindhi Samaj took place
on 18-02-2018 from 6 to 8 pm at Mahavir society Mithapur (okha) (after Satsang)
Wherein 32 members were present (the majority of attendees being ladies).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. PORBUNDAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The city comprises of 2 lakh people wherein 200 Sindhi
families stay. They have 3 Sindhi Associations namely 1.Sindhu Seva Trust
(President Gangadhar Ahuja, secretary Nandlal Sirvani, Treasurur Kishinchand
Dharedi). 2) Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (President Balram J. Tana), 3) Sindhi
Yuva Group (President Ravibhai Ashokbhai Nebhnani). All groups do many social
activities in their own group & also celebrate annual festivals in
co-ordination with one another. They take out procession, take food together
& close down their shops for half a day on the happy occasions of
Chetichand, Guru Nanik Jayanti & last day of Chaliha Sahib. They also
celebrate Varsis of Sant Khanuram & Mata Sadhnibai. They have one Sindhu
Bhavan & Temple near Baga Bappa Ashram from where they do all their social
activities & also meet on happy & unhappy occasions. They have also
other temples such as Guru Nanik Mandir (Near Sigmai School Chhaya Chowk), 2)
Jhulelal Mandir, 3) Sant Khanuram Mandir.
So many worth
seeing tourist spots are located here, such as 1) Kirti Mandir (Birth place of
Mahatma Gandhi), Ramakrishna Mission Ashram (Swami Vivekananda had stayed here
for 4 months in his time), 3. Sandeepany Ashram at a distance of 7 km (Here Sri
Krishna & Sudama had taken education from Guru Sandeepany).4) Sudhama
Mandir, 5) Chopati (Long Sea beach) etc. The meeting of all associations took
place in aforesaid Sindhu Bhavan on 19-02-18 at night from 10 pm to 12:00
midnight wherein 27 members were present (including Ladies).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.KUTIYANA:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only 17000 people stay
in this village. It includes 120 Sindhi families. They have formed one “Sindhi
Samaj Kutiyana”, whose President is Shri kanayalal M. Menghnani, Secretary Shri
Jagdish Bhai B. Narwani & Vice President is Shri Girish Bhai S. Wadhwani.
The Later is also in charge of Jai Jhulelal Mandir & its adjacent Mangatram
big Hall. Both these premises are used by them on happy & unhappy occasions
as well as for doing all social activities. They take out Prabhat Pheri on Guru
Nanik Jayanti & procession on Chetichand day. They take food together &
close down their shops for a half day on these occasions a well as on Chaliha
Sahib. Being a small village, the facilities of education & doing business
& livelihood are less & that is why many Sindhi families have been
migrating from here from time to time (In the year 2002 as good as 3000 Sindhis
used to stay here). The Sindhi are united here & often meet together on
happy & unhappy occasions. The village accommodates 2 good gardens. On
20-02-2018. the meeting of Sindhi Samaj took place from 12 noon to 2 pm in
Jhulelal Mandir wherein 16 members took part.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. BANTWA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This village comprises of 19000 people only. The total no. of
Sindhis here is nearly 2500. They have 4 main Panchayats (with President’s
names in brackets) Such as 1. Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (Prakashbhai Mohanlal Lalwani), 2) Utradi
Sindhi Panchayat (Chandulal D Ahuja). 3) Bhanushali Sindhi Panchayat (Gulabhai
M. Lakhani), 4) Brahamkhatri Sindhi Panchayat (Ghanshyamdas H. Devnani. They
have no General Panchayat. They perform many social activities in their own
field. They work in co-ordination with one an other particularly in celebrating
annual festivals. On Chetichand day & Guru Nanik Jayanti they take out
procession, arrange Joint Priti Bhojan & close down their shops. On Chaliha
Sahib’s occasion they arrange ‘Langar’ (Joint food). They also manage ‘Samuhik’
marriages i.e. simultaneous marriages at a time). They have found W/A group in
their mobile in order to contact one another on happy, unhappy & other social
functions. They own 4 Dharamshalas such as Ladi Lohana sindhi Dharamshala,
Swami Teoonram hall (Uttar Sindhi Panchayat), Jhulelal Sindhi Dharamshala &
swami Lila Shah Sindhi Dharamshala. They have many Mandirs also, such as Swami
Lilashah Ashram, Sindhi Gurudwara, 2 Jhulelal Mandirs, 2 Sant Garibdas Darbar
& Mandir, Dukh Bhanjan Darbar, Ambe Mata Mandir, Hinglaj Mata Mandir, Rama
Pir Mandir, Mahakali Mandir etc. The worth seeing place is a Dam (2 km).The
meeting of all Panchayats took place in Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat Hall on
same date i.e. 20-02-2018 from 9:00 to 11:30 pm wherein 22 members were
present. Shri Kishin Bhai Tanna, President of Manavaodar Ladi Lohana Sindhi
Panchayat had come to attend this meeting all the way from Manavaodar which is
at a distance of 10 kms from here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) MANAVADAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The population of this tinny
town is 50,000. Only 80 Sindhis families stay here. They have one main Sindhi
Samaj (Estt. 1977). (President Ashok bhai H. Achhra, vice president Rajubhai
Jivnani, secretary Kishorebhai Hemmani). 2nd Association is Ladi
Lohana Sindhi Panchayat. (President Kishinbhai Tanna), 3rd
Association is Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha (President Ashokbhai L. Jivnani). All
associations are engaged in social activities in their own field &
celebrate annual festivals in co-ordination with one an other. They take out
procession, take food together & close down their shops on the noble
occasions of Chetichand, Guru Nanik Jayanti, Chaliha Sahib, Sant Kanwarram’s
varsi etc. Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha arranges help to needy persons & do
matrimonial work. They have 2 Mandirs i.e. Jhulelal Mandir & Sindhi
Gurudwara (I/C aforesaid Kishin bhai Tanna). They also have one Sindhi Samaj
Dharamshala. The famous Mandir are Swami Narayan Mandir, Trambakeshwar Mahadev
Mandir & Gayatri Mandir. Unfortunately I did not get chance to visit this
town for want of time. However aforesaid Kishin bhai Tanna (Who had attended my
meeting in Bantwa had briefed me with aforesaid information. Some information
was also collected from above officials by phone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. VANTHLI
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This tiny village has total
population of only 14000, wherein 1000 Sindhis. stay. They have 3 associations
(President’s names in brackets) namely
1.Sukkur Sindhi Panchayat
(Nandal Bakhtyapuri).
2.Riyasat Lad Sindhi
Panchayat (Jethanand Babubhai S Punjabi).
3. Bharitiya Sindhu Sabha
(Bhajanlal R. Khemani) He is also Secretary of Akhil Saurashtra Sindhi
Panchayat Federation).
All associations do much
social work in their own fields as well as work in co-ordination with one an
other particularly in celebrating annual festivals. Such as chetichand, Guru
Nanik Jayanti, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti etc., wherein they take out
procession, eat together & close down their shops. They also celebrate 14
Varsis of Sindhi Saints, They are united. Bharatiya Sindhu sabha has organised
Sindhi Bachat Mandal ( Sindhi Credit Society) with 100 members, wherein they
give loan to needy members by taking one surety. This unique system I have not
heard so far (except as stated by me in Rajkot report in foregoing paras).
Here Sindhis have 2 Dharamshallas namely 1). Sindhu Bhavan
(managed by Riyasat Lad Sindhi Panchayat) at Jhulelal Chowk & 2) Sri Guru
Arjandev Masand Sahib Dharamshala & Mandir (Sukkar Bhavan) on Sri Guru
Arjandev Masand Road, Main Bazar. More over they have 6 Mandirs namely, 1. Sant
Jadaram & Sant Tahilyaram Mandir. 2) Sai Jadyaram Mohanwala Mandir, 3) Sai
Takhatram Mandir. 4) Bhai Mangharam ‘Tikano’ (Mandir), 5. Sai Satramdas Mandir
(Sukhdham), 6) Guru Arjandev Masand Sahib Satsang Hall. They are also going to
start Sindhi teaching classes shortly through NCPSL.
This small village has got a big history. Its original name
was Sorath (Vanthli). As per literary work of Sindhian Poet Shah Abdul Latif,
Raja Rai Diach & wife Sorath used to stay here. After hearing Bijal’s
melodious ‘Sorath’ song with rhemic & rythem created by playing on his
Tanpura, the King Raidiach was so moved that he beheaded himself as an offering
to Bijal as a gratitude to him (Bijal).
“Mathe ute Muhinje Je Hujani
Sira bazar, Ta tuhinje tand tanwar hara hara Vadhiyan hekro” (Shah Sahib)
(“If I had 1000 heads, I
would have cut them in sync with your each mellodeous rythem”).
All this record of Shah
Sahib’s creation is available in Jama Masjid here. Suraj Kund is also located
here wherein Raja Bali of Satyuga era had performed yagna wherein God himself
had come to him in the form of “Vamana Avatar”. Bhanavav (well) Ram Mandir is
also here. In side well is Melri Mata’s Mandir from where 2 secrete tunnels are
built for going to Dwarka & Girnar (Jhunagadh). These both tunnels are
closed now. In the year 2002 nearly 2500 Sindhis used to stay in this village.
However due to lack of proper business avenues many have migrated from here
from time to time & they are migrating even now. The meeting of all Sindhis
took place here in above mentioned Sindhu Bhavan from 4to 6 pm on 21-02-2018
wherein 28 members were present.
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12.
KESHOD:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One lakh twenty thousand is
the total strength of this town, one percent of them are Sindhis (i.e. 1200)
They have formed 3 associations (their president’s names are mentioned in
brackets).
1. Lad Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (Mahendrabhai Kevrani)
2. Upper Lohana
Sindhi Panchayt (Jentibhai A Ahara).
3. Sindhi Jhulelal
Seva Samiti (Nimatbhai P Lalwani)
The last association no.3 is
formed by taking 10-10 representatives each from association Nos. 1 & 2
above. Hence 3rd Association can be termed as a sort of common
General Sindhi Panchayat in the town. All 3 associations are doing lot of
social work in their own field & celebrate annual festivals on a large
scale in co-operation with one an other. They are so united that their office
bearers are more or less common. For example President of No.2 association is
Vice President of No:3 association likewise President of No.3 Association is
Vice President of No. 1 association. On Chetichand day they take joint food
together, take out procession from town & go to Mangrol Daryahlal (30 km)
for immersion of the idol & close down their shops for the whole day. Those
who even open the lock of their shop on this pious day have to pay the
fine of Rs. 1100/- to the association : On the occasion of Guru Nanik
Jayanti they arrange ‘Langar’, do Prabhat Pheri for 15 days, & close shops
for half a day on Jayanti day. On the last day of Chaliha Sahib they arrange
‘Langar’ & nearly 100 Sindhis go to Somnath Mandir (Triveni Sangam) in
Veraval (at distance of 45 kms) for immersing the Idol.
They have 3 Dharamshallas
namely 1. Lad Lohana Sindhi Dharamshalla & Mandir ( Madhuvan Nagar,
Ambavadi), 2.Sindhi Dharamshalla with Jhulelal & Guru Nanik Mandir (Dave
Sheri). 3) Sant Kanwaram Sindhi Dhramshalla & Mandir Thale Sahib (Prajapati
Society, Airport Road). They have prepared mobile directory for contacting one
an other on happy & unhappy occasions. One Akshaynath Mandir (4 km) is a
good attraction for tourists. The meeting with Sindhi community fixed for
21-02-2018 was cancelled due to Satsang of Sant Dr. Santoshkumar of Amravati at
same time, wherein I got the golden opportunity to speak for the noble cause of
Sindhi community with Sant’s blessings. The above information was also
collected from above mentioned office bearers who were present in Satsang. This
Satsang took place from 6 pm to 12 mid night wherein over 500 ladies, gents
& children took part. The Prasad was served at the end.
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13)
VERAVAL:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This ancient & pious
city of Somanth Mandir has population of two & a half lakh. Sindhis
comprise of 1100 families. They have 6 associations (Presidents names in
brackets) namely,
1) Sri Uttar Sindhi Panchayat ( Rameshbhai S Ahuja),
2) Ladilohana Sindhi Panchayat (Mohanbhai Daxna).
3) Saraswat Sindhi Braham Samaj (Vinod kumar M. Sharma).
4) Kachhi Bhanushali Sindhi Panchyat (Rajubhai Manghani).
5) Sindhi Bhaibandh Panchayat ( Durgadas T. Bhagwani).
6) General Sindhi Panchayat (President aforesaid Mohanbhai
Daxna & secretary aforesaid Durgadas T. Bhagwane)
All Panchayats do a lot of social activities in their own
field & with co-ordination with one another & also celebrate annual
functions together. They are so united that some of their office bearers are
common as could be seen from above office bearers’ list. On the auspicious
occasions of Chetichand & Guru Nanik Jayanti they take out procession, take
joint food together & close down their shops. They also celebrate Swami
Lilashah Jayanti & Varsi, Baba Lahanaram Jayanti & varsi, Mataji
Jagaran, Par Braham Mela, Kabil Bhagat’s Mela etc. Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat
(800 families) & Ultar Sindh Panchayat (250 families) have published Sindhi
directories of their members.
They
have 3 Dharamshallas, namely 1) Bajrangwadi Sindhi Dharamshalla (Opp: Aditya
Birla School), 2) Swami Shantiprakash Hall & Mandir (of Uttar Sindh
Panchayat), 3) Lilashah Hall & Mandir (of Lodi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat) at
Vanand society, 80 feet Road. They have other mandirs also such as Jhulelal
Mandir, Sindhi Gurudwara, 2 Guru Mandirs etc. So many religious & tourist
spots are located here. The visit of this city is incomplete without seeing
famous & pious Somnath Jyotirling Mandir. Other famous places here are
Balka Tirth (Bhil’s arrow shooting in Sri Krishna’s feet), Dehutarg, Triveni
Sangam etc. On 22-02-2018. I got the chance of speaking on Sindhyat in Ladies
Satsang (more than 50 in numbers) in Swami Shanti Prakash Hall in the evening.
After that meeting of all Sindhi Panchayats took place in the same premises
from 9:30 to 11:30 pm, wherein 18 members were present.
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14)
KODINAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nearly one a half lakh people stay in
this small town. The No. Of Sindhi families staying here is 110 only (Which
includes 70 Utradi families & 40 Ladi families). They have 3 associations
namely 1) Pujya Ladi Lohana Sindhi Samaj Trust (President Gurubhai V. Wadhwani
& secretary lalchand C. Ramchandani). 2) Ultar Sindh Panchayat (President
Chhataram R. Jivnani & secretary Bikhubhai Bijlani), 3) Bharatiya Sindhu
Sabha (President Kapil Manwani, Pratinidhi Vasudev Godhwani). All associations
do many social activities in their respective fields & in co-ordination
with one another & also celebrate annual festivals together. They take out
procession & close their shops on Chetichand & Guru Nanik Jayanti. They
also celebrate chaliha Sahib. They take food together on the occasions of these
festivals. They have no Sindhi Dharamshallas here. However they have 3 Mandir’s
such as Guru Nanik & Jhulelal Mandir, Saint Sukhramdas Mandir & Hari
Shewa Mandir. They meet together on happy & unhappy occasions for that
purpose they have prepared small directory containing their Mobile Phone Nos.
Ambuja Mandir, Dwarka Dheesh Mandir & Sainath Mandir are quite famous for
visiting. The meeting of all associations took place on 23-02-2018 from 12:30
to 2:00 pm at Guru Nanik Mandir wherein 22 members participated.
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15) UNNA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1 lac people live in this town.
It includes 3000 Sindhis. They have formed 5 Sindhi Associations along with a
Samarth Sindhi Samaj (A General Sindhi Panchayat representing all Sindhi
associations) as shown here under.
Their presents names are shown in
brackets):-
1.
Lodi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (Udharam T. Jethwani)
2.Braham
Khatri Sindhi Panchayat (Dhirubhai T. Dagia)
3.Ultar
Sindhi Panchayat (Jitendra Aswani)
4.
Bhaiband Sindhi Panchayat (Rajubhai Aswani)
5.
Bhanushali Sindhi Samaj (Jai Prakash Lalwani)
6.
Samarth Sindhi Samaj (president is Ishwarlal U. Jethwani. he is also vice
president of akhil bharat ladi lohana sindhi panchayats).
They are going to start the branch of
Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha shortly. All associations do a lot of social work in
their own field & celebrate annual functions in co-ordination with one an
other. A great personality – Shri M.V. Bhimani stays in this town. He is the
only litrary man of high calibre in the whole Jhunagadh Distt. He is a writer,
artist, translator & Sangeet Vishared. He has published 10 books on behalf
of Gujarat Sindhi Sahitya Academy. An other VIP person here is Shri Bagubhai
Raichandor. He is owner of Madhwan Guest House (Tower Chowk). He is also a
devoted Cow Bhakta & he gets sick Cows operated through Doctors.
Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat officials
have arranged ‘Somnath Baug’ (Wadi) along with a temple, near Blood bank for
their meetings on happy & unhappy occasions as well as for marriages etc.
More over Sindhis of this town have 2 Guru Nanik Mandirs (one in Sindhi Society
& the other in Khojakhana) & one Sai Sukhramdas Mandir. They also celebrate
many annual festivals such as Guru Nanik Jayanti, Swami Lilashah Jayanti,
Chetichand & Chaliha Sahib. They take out procession, eat together &
close down their shops & offices on these pious occasions. They also
celebrate Janmashtami & arrange ‘Samuhik’ (mass) marriages. The worth
seeing tourist places are a little far away from the town such as Dieu (a Union
territory 14 km), Tulsi Shyam hot water springs (30 km), Druneshwar Mahadev
Mandir (24 km). One of the Trustees of this Mandir is Shri Kishorebhai a Sindhi
Gentleman. The meeting of all associations took place in above mentioned
Somnath Baug from 6 to 8 pm on same day i.e. 22-02-2018, wherein 21 members
were present.
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16) JHUNAGADH
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This historical & ancient city has
the strength of 6 lakhs. It includes 20,000 Sindhis. They have formed many
associations as shown here under:-
1. Akhil
Bharat Ladi
Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (President kalubhai A. Sukhwani. He is also owner of
‘Indra Lok’ - a hotel of high calibre). The City President of Ladi Lohan Sindhi
Panchayat is Shri Bhawanbhai Nihalani.
2. Shri Ambica Nagar General Sindhi Panchayat (President
Rajubhai Nandwani)
3. Bhanushali Sindhi Panchayat (President Mukeshbhai Mathiya)
4. Sindhi General Panchayat (President M N lalwani, Advocate)
5. Shri Jhulelal Seva Trust (President Hareshkumar U.
Morandani)
6. Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha (President) of saurashtra &
Editor of Kesari a Gujarati Newspaper, Sunil Nandwani) (City President & BJP Municipal corporator Kishorebhai
Ajwani).
All
these associations work in their own field & celebrate annual functions in
Co-Ordination with one an other. On pious occasion of Chetichand, they take out
‘Shobha yatra’with ‘Baherana Sahib’ & ‘Jhankis’, arrange Priti Bhojan
(Joint Food) & close down their shops. On Guru Nanik Jayanti they arrange
‘Prabhat Pheri’ (Procession at Dawn) & ‘Langar’ (joint food). They also celebrate
Swami Lilashah Jayanti & Punya tithi; Bhagat Vasuram’s Punya tithi’ etc.
Nearly 15 Doctors & 30 advocates of Sindhi community stay in this city.
There is no Sindhi School here but Sindhi language teaching classes are running
here on behalf of NCPSL. The Sindhis of this city have also prepared a Sindhi
directory.
They
have built many Sindhi Dharamshallas (wadis) here. For example 1) Swami Lila
Shah Bhavan (Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat) 2) Ambica Nagar Wadi (Sri Ambica
Nagar General Sindhi Panchayat), 3) Bhanushali Samaj wadi, 4) Swami Lila Shah
Wadi 5) Jhulelal Wadi (Shri Jhulelal Seva Trust at Girnar Road) etc. They have
many Mandirs such as Sukhramdas Saheb Mandir, 2 Sindhi Gurudwaras , 4 Sindhi
Tikanas (Mandirs), Sadhu Vaswani centre (whose Akhil Saurashtra President Shri
Hareshbhai Godhwani is staying here). Many tourist attractions are located
here. Such as Girnar mountain, Shankar Bhagwan’s Mandir (Bhavnath Tareti),
Upper Fort, Damodar Kund & Mandir, Wellingdon dam, Moti Baug Agriculture
University, Gir Forest Sanctuary (100 km) etc. The writer got the opportunity
to speak on Sinidhyat in Satsang of Sadhu Vaswani at their centre between 9:30
pm to 11:00 pm on the night of 24-02-2018. After taking prasad by all, the
meeting of representatives of all parties took place from 11:30 pm to 12
midnight at the same place wherein 7 members were present.
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17)
DHORAJI
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town has population of 85000
which includes 210 Sindhi families. The Sindhi Associations are as under:
1.
Pujya Shri Khairpur Riyasat Sindhi Panchayat (Total 60 families President
Dilipbhai T. Hotwani, Vice President – Pribhdas S Raheja).
2.Ultar
Sindhi Panchayat (Total 70 families President Sardar Gurchnan Singh Mohandra
Singh Vice President – Above named Dilipbhai T. Hotwani).
3.Pujya
Shri Lodi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (Total 80 families – President Bhagwandas M.
Kalwani).
4.
Samarth Sindhi Samaj which represents all above 3 Panchayats (President is
aforesaid Dilipbhai T. Hotwani & vice President Sunilbhai H. Sambhwani).
Thus it will be seen that all the four
associations are co-related & some office bearers are common in them. For
example, Shri Dilipbhai T. Hotwani is shown as office bearer of above 3
Panchayats. All the associations do a lot of social work in their own field
with co-ordination with one an other & also celebrate annual festivals.
They take out procession & close down their shops on the occasions of
Chetichand, Guru Nanik Jayanti & Chaliha Sahib (last day). They eat
together on above 3 & all other festivals.
Many Sindhi Dharamshallas &
temples are located here. Such as Akash hall & Mandir (Khairpur Riyasat
Sindhi Panchayat), Kimatmal Hall & Mandir (Ultar Sindhi Panchayat), Sindhi
Dharamshalla & Swami Lilashah Darbar (Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat), 3 Guru
Nanik Mandirs (at Vaghesia Choraha, Vaishav Vadi & Jamnawad Road Sindhi
society), Baba Sukhramdas Saheb Sukhsagar Mandir etc. Ladi Lohana Sindhi
Panchayat officials have prepared Sindhi Directory for their Ladi members. The
remaining Panchayats have prepared mobile phone directories of their members.
Here, the famous temples are Swami Narain Mandir & Jalaram Mandir. The
meeting of all associations took place on 27-02-2018 from 6 to 8 pm at Kimatmal
hall, Jammavad Road wherein 82 members were present which is the best record
among all 20 cities/towns of my Saurashtra tour. Dinner was served to all
therein at night after the meeting.
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18
JETPUR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town has capacity of 2 lakh
population wherein 800 Sindhi families (5000 members) stay. They have many
Sindhi associations (Presidents names in brackets) such as:
1.
Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat (Maheshbhai Vasani)
2.
Ultar Sindhi Panchayat (Jagdishbhai Chawla)
3.
Jacamabad Sindhi Panchayat (Gulubhai Rajani)
4.
Brahamkhatri Sindhi Panchayat (Jiwatram Keedi)
5.
Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha (Ashokbhai Wadhwa)
6.
General Sindhi Panchayat (Mohanlal N Ramnani)
All associations work in their
co-ordination with one another & celebrate annual functions together. They
take out procession & close down their shops on the auspicious occasions of
Chetichand, Guru Nanik Jayanti &
Chaliha Sahib (last day). They also celebrate Swami Lilashah Jayanti &
Varsi, Sant Kanwar Ram Varsi etc. They take “Priti Bhojan” on all such pious
occasions. Thus they have been preserving our ancient culture & Sanskriti.
They manage Sindhi teaching classes in
both scripts on behalf of NCPSL some Panchayats (Ladis, Braham Khatris &
Bhanushalis) have prepared Sindhi Directories for their members. A great
personality, Shri Kishinchand Mulchandani stays here. He is a good speaker
& also connected with Gujarat Sindhi Sahitya Academy, UNICEF & NCPSL.
He is retired teacher. They have Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat Dharamshalla
& Brahamkhatri Sindhi Dharamshalla, Jhulelal Mandir, Sukhdham Mandir &
Thelsi Sindhi Mandirs. The other famous Mandirs in the city are Sai Baba
Mandir, ancient Ganesh Bhagwan’s Mandir, Sai Kanwar Ram Devni etc. The meeting
of all associations took place on 26-02-2018 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Jhulelal
Mandir, Nana Chowk wherein 25 members were present.
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19)
VIRPUR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This village is at a distance of 18 km
both sides from Jetpur & Gondal. Only 20,000 people stay here. Sindhis
occupy 10 families. They have cutlery & Novelty shops in the main Bazar outside “ Jalaram Bappu’s famous
Mandir”,for which this village stands. People from very far distances come here
to have ‘Darshan’ of this pious Mandir. Really one gets inner peace of mind by
visiting pious Mandirs like this Mandir. Jalaram Dharamshalla & Vradha
Ashram is built here for Yatris. Bhandara (food) is always served in this Mandir
throughout day & night (24x7). Here Sindhis are united. They preserve their
language like other cities of Saurashtra. They have no association being small
in Number. They go to neighbouring cities of Jetpur & Gondal for
celebrating annual festivals like Chetichand, Guru Nanik jayanti, Chalila Sahib
etc. The other famous Mandir are Gayatri Mandir, Mankeshwar Mahadev Mandir,
Jalaram Bappu Samadhi, Swami Narain Mandir etc. The meeting with Sindhis could
not take place here on 27-2-2018 due to short of time & working time of
shops. However the above information was collected from Shri Rajesh Kundlani
(Rajesh Novelty Store) & others.
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20)
Gondal
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city accommodates 2½ lakh people. It also has 160 Sindhi
families (750 members). They have formed one General Sindhi Panchayat whose
president is Shri Chandulal T. Khanna & secretary is Shri Mohanlal D Sonaiya.
They do many social activities &
celebrate annual festivals. They take out procession & close down their
shops for later half day on Chetichand, Guru Nanik Jayanti & Chaliha Sahib
(last day). They also celebrate Guru Gobindsingh Jayanti & other festivals.
They take food together on all such pious occasions. They have also prepared
Sindhi directory of the city. They own one Sindhu Bhavan with Mandir at Mahadev
Wadi. Akshar Dham Mandir, Bhuvaneshwari Mandir & Rajmahal (museum) are
worth tourist attraction. The office bearers cancelled meeting fixed for
28-02-2018 at last moment due to unforeseen
circumstances. However Shri Sureshbhai (son of secretary) had meeting
with me for an hour at Gondal Railway station waiting room on 28-02-2018. He
gave above information & collected Sindhi literature. Some information was
also collected from them on telephone.
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