TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOSHANGABAD (M.P.) (1996)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATIA (M.P.) (1996)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BINA (M.P.) (1996 and subsequently 2008)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GWALIOR (M.P.) (1996 and subsequently July
30, 2008)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KATNI (Jul-Aug 1998) (January 2007)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JABALPUR (Jul-Aug 1998) (January 2007)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITARSI (Jul-Aug 1998)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BURHANPUR (Jul-Aug 1998)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATLAM (MP) : (Oct 2000) and every
alternative year thereafter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDORE (MP) : (Dec 30, 2000) and (Oct 2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published in (1) "Chingoon" Sindhi dated 12-03-2001
(2) "Sujag Sindhi" Devnagiri dtd. 23-04-2001
TOUR REPORT OF SINDHIS OF INDORE ( M. P. ) dated 30-12-2000
(Mohan G, Rohira)
Recently, I got
the golden opportunity of meeting the Sindhis of Indore particularly with the
members of BSS (Bhartiya Sindhu Sabha) for one day (i.e. on 30-12-2000). The
meeting with them took place at Kranti Kripalani Nagar for over 2 hours wherein
various matters were discussed for strengthening the organization and for
preserving our Sanskriti, our rich culture and our spiritual values. The report
in a nut shell is as under:
The total
population of this big and important city is 24 lakhs including 1 lakh Sindhis
who mainly reside in big pockets like Larkana, Kranti Kripalini, Kamla Nehru
and Vasanshah Nagars as well as Katju, Jairampur, Triveni and Bhagat Kanwar Ram
Colonies. Nearly 60% of them speak in Sindhi, 5% speak in English (particularly
those who stay in posh localities and are in service) and the rest speak in
Hindi. They have only one Punjab Girls (Sindhi) High School with Sindhi
(Devnagiri) as one of the subjects but there is no Sindhi Primary School. The
city has 15 sindhi Dharamshalas and nearly 25 Sindhi temples including 2
Jhulelal Temples, 1 Radha Swami Satsang Bhavan, 1 Prem Prakash Ashram of Swami Teoonaramji
and a big ashram of Sant Asharam Bapu.
They celebrate
important festivals like Chetichand, Bhagat Kanwaram Varsi, Guru Nanak Jayanti.
etc. with big processions and langars. On the occasion of Chetichand, a big
procession is taken out with decorated colours and electric gadgets (with 80%
contribution of BSS Workers) throughout the important Sindhi belts wherein over
5000 people including the local population take PREETI BHOJAN. Moreover the
city has 4 statues of important sindhi personalities such as those of Bhagat
Kanwaram, Hemu Kalani, Dholumal Gera and Dr. Kamalkumar Sachdev. 2 magazines
are published by prominent Sindhis i.e. "Samrat Dahar Sen" in Sindhi (Devnagiri) by Shri
Rajendra Sachdev & “Indore Mulakat” in Hindi (but with important Sindhi
activities) by Shri Nandlal Sachdev. They have 22 sindhi panchayats but no
central or general panchayat.
The BSS is active in the city. They have 100 active members who give
more importance to good character and behaviour. They celebrate Sindhi Smruti day
(14th August) every year. They also organize Swasthya shibirs (medical camps), distribute
good literature, propagate for eradication of social evils like the dowry
system and show and glamour, along with the co-operation of other sindhi
organzations. Shri Vishindas A. Moriani is president & Shri Shankar Lalwani
is Maha Mantri of BSS. The latter is also Parshad (BJP) and chairman PWD,
Indore Corporation.
Thus on the whole,
the Sindhis in this beautiful city are more or less well settled socially and
financially and command good respect in the city. They also strive to preserve
the rich culture and language. However the arrangements for learning Sindhi is
very poor, which is disturbing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEEMUCH (M.P.) (Dec 2002)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANDSUAR (M.P.) (Dec 2002)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAVRA (M.P.) (Dec 2002) (Nov 6, 2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tour Report of Sindhis of Madhya Pradesh (Oct-Nov 2005)
Published (1) partly in “Sindhiyat”,
Jan-2006 (2) “Hindu” (Sindhi) Dec-12-2005, Dec-26-2005 (3) “Sujag Sindhi"
(Dev), Jan-23-2006 and Feb-20-2006
(Mohan G. Rohira - Advocate)
I got a golden
opportunity to meet important Sindhis living in some cities of M.P. during the
recent Diwali Vacation in 2005. They were good enough to arrange long meetings
of Sindhis at a short notice on my request for promoting our ancient culture,
language & sanskriti as well as for cementing bonds of brotherhood in our
community. The love & affection extended by them cannot be described. The
taste of pudding is in its eating. The report in a nutshell is as under:-
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAGDA (Oct 19, 2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city is on W.Rly at a distance of
45 kms. from Ratlam.Its population is 1 lakh which includes 55 Sindhi families.
They have one Puj Sindhi Panchayat whose President is Shri Bhojraj Daswani and
Vice President is Shri Bhagwandas Lilani and a dedicated Social Worker is Shri
Vasudev Chandnani on whose noble efforts a big meeting could take place at a
short notice of a few hours. The city has one marvelous Jhulelal Sindhi
Dharmashala & a temple at Jawahar Marg which was built recently with a sizeable
contribution from a Philanthropist lady of Khar (Mumbai) i.e. Smt. Dhanwanti
Devi Amarvani, not only for happy & unhappy occasions but also for lodging,
which has enhanced the prestige of these few Sindhi families.
They always meet
on happy & unhappy occasions such as marriage & death ceremonies. At
least 80% of them speak in their mother tongue Sindhi at home and among
themselves. So long as Sindhi is spoken even in small towns in this way, there
is no damage to our ancient rich language and culture of Mohen Jo Daro. Of
course there is no Sindhi school or Sindhi class. They are mainly in business
and they are well off on the whole. They celebrate Chetichand as Sindhiyat day
by closing shops, by taking out a big procession and by arranging Priti Bhojan for
all. They have made a Sindhi Telephone Directory and plan to make a big
Telephone Directory. They are united and have cordial relations with local
people. They promised to keep a laminated Murti of Jhulelal on each & every
Sindhi Shop on the lines of Bangalore Sindhi Samaj. There is a Sindhi press
reporter and the President of Lions Club of Nagda is also a famous Sindhi Dr.
S. R. Chawla. The places worth seeing are Greeson factories and a famous Birla
Mandir.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UJJAIN (Oct 20,
2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The population of this prestigious
ancient city (Avantika Nagri) is 8 lakhs including 25,000 Sindhis. They have 19
Sindhi Associations, each of them having contributed a lot in their respective
fields. The main organization among them are Sindhu Jagrat Samaj (President,
Shri Arjan Khatri), Sindhu Seva Ujjaini (President, Shri Tulsidas Dhanwani and
Founder President, Shri Tirathdas
Ramlani), Madhavnagar Sindhi Panchayat (President Shri Tulsidas Dhanwani), Lai
Lohana Panchayat (President Shri Mohandas Vaswani), Puj Sindhi Sukkur Panchayat
(President, Shri Murlidhar Kataria), & Sindhi Cloth Merchants Association
(President, Shri Vasu Khatri). Each of these Associations have published a
separate Sindhi Directory. They have built famous temples such as Alakh Dham in
Free Ganj whose Mahant is Swami Atamdas who is widely honoured by all of them. Recently,
they have started Swami Shanti Prakash Ashram in Sindhi Colony from 9.6.2013. Other temples (Jhulelal Mandirs) are in
Gordhandham Nagar & Satram Sindhi Colony. There are 2 Sindhi Dharamshalas
for happy & unhappy occasions with Lodging arrangement also - Shri Nenumal
Gagandas Jethwani Dharamshala (Opp. Alakh Dham in Free Ganj) and Sindhi Hindu
Dharamshala in Satram Sindhi Colony. Besides these, there are 3 other Sindhi
Public places for happy and unhappy occasions and meetings such as Jacobabad
Sindhi Dharamshala & Puj Sindhi Sukkur Panchayat Dharamshala (both at
Boxipura) and Dhanwani Community Hall in Saket Nagar. They normally don't speak
in Sindhi but they have assured that they will put their best efforts to speak
in their mother tongue Sindhi. Though they have one school managed by them,
unfortunately it does not have any Sindhi subject for which they were persuaded
to keep Sindhi at least as one of the subjects. However, one Sindhi luminary
Shri Chimanlal Lakhani takes Sindhi classes on every Sunday for 2 hours. The
other famous Sindhi social and political worker is Shri Shiva Kotwani who has
remained as MLA for a long time. Though they have no Sindhi Central Panchayat,
Sindhu Jagrat Samaj arranges Chetichand Mela in coordination with other Sindhi
Associations, on a grand scale, such as with long procession, Jhankies,
Bhandara and musical parties. The other melas are Parbrahma (Chhadi)
'Sinhastha' and Kavi Kalidas Samaroha etc. They have given many valuable
suggestions such as constitution of a Sindhi All India Co-ordinating Body for
getting our Legitimate Rights from the Govt., starting Sindhi T.V. Channel etc.
They have also agreed to keep a laminated Murti of Jhulelal at each & every
Sindhi shop / office. At least 95% of them are in business and are well off
financially on the whole. The tourism Deptt. at Bus Stand, (near Rly. Station)
arranges daily Luxury Bus Service 'Ujjain Darshan' for 4 hours showing all the
important Tourist & pilgrimage places such as Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling, Har
Sindhi Mandir, Raja Bharthari Gufa etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEWAS (Oct 22,
2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city of 3 lakhs strength is near
Ujjain. Though there are only 700 Sindhi families, they shine in every field.
They have 5 Big Associations such as (i) Puj Sindh Hindu Panchayat, Dayanand
Chowk (President Shri Parmanand Raichandani, Secretary Shri Srichand Manwani),
(ii) Sindhi Mahila Mandal (President, Smt. Kantadevi Punjabi), (iii) Sindhi
Yuva Sangathan (President, Shri Anil Talreja), (iv) Sindhu Seva Samiti
(President, Shri Anandram Khattar), (v) Shri Guru Nanak Graha Nirman Sahakari
Sanstha (President, Shri Sureshkumar Manwani). Each Association is working
efficiently in its respective field in which ladies & youth are not lagging
behind. They have built 2 big Dharamshalas for lodging as well as for happy
& unhappy occasions - Sindh Hindu Panchayat Bhawan at Dayanand Chowk &
Sindhu Bhawan Trust (with a huge garden), at Ujjain Road. The temples here are
par excellence such as (1) Sindhi Gurudwara at Mohan Dham, Jai Prakash Marg,
(ii) Swami Parmanand Bhandar at Alankar Market, (iii) Shri Anandpur Trust at
Peetha Road, (iv) Sant Asudaram Seva Samiti at Vasudev Pura. On an average, 50%
of them speak in Sindhi. Almost all of them are in business and are well off
financially. There is no trace of Sindhi school or classes. However they have
surpassed other cities in celebrating Melas particularly 'Chetichand Mela' so
much so that our heart is dancing to participate in it even at the cost of
Mumbai Chetichand Mela! On such an auspicious day they close their shops, take
out a huge procession with 'Jhankies' and 2 'Langars' (one for them & one
for poor people) and arrange Cultural Programme for 5 continuous days. The
famous Mumbai Builder & Sindhi Social Worker Narsingh Golani's name was
respectfully taken by them. They also celebrate Diwali Milan, Devi Mata's
'Jagran' and 'Visarjan' (in which they are second to Calcutta City only). 2
Press reporters Shri Ramesh Talreja & Shri Khubchand Manwani stay here. One
Hindi 'Namcheen' weekly Newspaper is published from here with a Sindhi Column.
They have published a useful Sindhi Directory which is worthy of seeing by
every Sindhi. They have also got arrangement of Ambulance Service. They
strongly desire that an all India Sindhi Coordinating Body should be formed at
the earliest, Sindhi programmes should be telecast on T.V. & viewed on
Radio, particularly when they are not arranged in M.P. The places worth seeing
are 2 famous temples of Mata Tulja Bhawani Devi & Mata Chamunda Devi on a
hill nearby which are venerated by one and all which no visitor to the city can
afford to miss.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MHOW (Oct 25, 2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city of 1 1/2
Lakh strength is hardly at a distance of 20 kms from Indore. 115 Sindhi
families stay here, most of them at M.G. Road, near Rly. Station, having their
shops nearby. They have one Puj Sindhi Panchayat whose President is a famous
Advocate Miss Geeta Lakhwani & Vice President is Shri Pupchand
Savlani. Apart from these, one more
dedicated worker & Treasurer is Shri Nanikram Makrani. The Mahila Samaj of this
city is very active so much so that the President of Puj Sindhi Samaj is a
dedicated iady and the attendance of ladies was more than Gents in the meeting.
They have one Sindhi Dharamshala with Jhulelal Temple at Plouton Road meant
only for happy & unhappy occasions, hence they were advised to make it fit
for lodging also so that any Sindhi visitor could stay in the Sindhi atmosphere
without wasting money on Hotels. Apart from not having Sindhi school, they
mainly speak in Hindi. However they have assured me to speak in Sindhi in
future, at home & among themselves for preserving our ancient rich language
& culture. They are mainly (say 90%) in business and are quite well off
financially on the whole. They are not lagging behind from other cities in
celebrating annual melas, particularly Chetichand. On this auspicious Sindhiyat
day, they close down their shops, keep path Sahib of Sri Guru Granth Sahib for
3 days, take out procession in the city with Jhankis and arrange 'Langar' for
all Sindhis. They arrange entertainment programme for children along with
'Priti Bhojan' in the function of Devi Mataji. These activities Serve as moral
boost among the community, particularly youngsters. They have made a Sindhi
Telephone directory and have planned to have a marvelous Sindhi Directory along
with other social activities in the near future. They also agreed to keep a
Jhulelal Murti on every Sindhi Shop on the lines of Bangalore Sindhi Samaj. The
city has a big Military Camp & School as well as many famous temples, i.e.
Swarga Mandir, Gurudwara, etc and a sufficient number of various factories.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KHANDWA (Oct 27,
2005)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city stands on the C.RIy. Junction
Station. It has population of 3 lakhs which includes 975 Sindhi families, out
of which 750 families stay in Sindhi Colony and remaining 225 families stay in
Padam Nagar. There are 3 main Sindhi Associations such as (i) Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat, Sindhi Colony (President, Shri Bhagwandas Artani, Secretary, Shri
Mohanlal Diwan & 'Sanrakshak', Shri Gehiram Sitlani), (ii) Jhulelal
Navyuvak Mandal, Sindhi Colony (President, Shri Udhavdas Udasi & Secretary,
Shri Radhakishan Udasi), (iii) Sindhi Panchayat, Padam Nagar (President, Shri
Shankarlal Tirthani & Secretary, Shri Bhagwandas Ahuja). Sindhi Colony
residents have 2 Sindhi Dharamshalas for happy & unhappy occasions - Shewa
Mandli and Jhulelal Sindhi Dharamshala, as well as Baba Tirathdham & Balakdham
Gurudwaras, Shivdham & Swami Shanti Prakash Temples. Padam Nagar residents
also have constructed a new Temple which is going to be inaugurated on Makar
Sankranti day of January 2006. Sindhi is mainly spoken in Sindhi Colony where
as Padam Nagar Sindhi residents (hardly 4 kilometers away) mainly speak in
Hindi. The city has one school managed by Sindhis but unfortunately Sindhi is
not taught there even as one of the subjects. They are mainly in business and
are primarily in middle class financially. However Padam Nagar Sindhi residents
are better off financially. They celebrate Chetichand as Sindhiyat day and take
out procession in city along with Baharana Sahib & close down their shops.
Dasera is celebrated through Daserra Utsava Samiti by burning the effigy of Ravana.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated through Tirathdham Gurudwara. Sindhu Seva
Samiti (President, Shri Maniklal Lalwani & Secretary, Shri Dilip Ahuja)
manage school upto 8th standard as well as Nari Shalla. In all 35 members
attended the meeting. They also agreed to keep a Jhulelal Murti in every Sindhi
Shop in the near future. They gave many valuable suggestions such as creating
dedicated & selfless Sindhi leaders, establishing an All India Sindhi
Coordinating Body as well as Sindhi T.V. Channel, arranging Community
marriages, taking active part in politics etc. The places worth seeing are
Nagachun Talao & temples of Nav Chandi Devi Dham, Laxrni Narayan, Bhawani
Mata, Rameshwar & Sai Baba. Here also Shri Narsingh Golani has done some
creditable work in social field.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHOPAL (M.P.) (Aug 2007)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tour report of Sindhis of some cities in M.P. (Aug 2008)
Published in (1) “Suhaag Sindhi” weekly, dt. Sep 22, 2008
(2) Hindvasi Sindhi weekly, dt. Oct 26, 2008
Mohan G. Rohira
(Advocate)
Recently I got the
golden opportunity to meet Important Sindhis living in some cities of M.P. They
were good enough to arrange long meetings of Sindhis at short notice on my
request for promoting our ancient culture, language and Sanskriti as well as
for getting legitimate political rights from the Central Govt, and for boosting
the morale of community. Most of these reports have already been published in
these columns. The reports of remaining cities are shown in a nutshell as under
:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DABRA (Aug 1, 2008)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This small town
with a total population of 1 lakh is situated in Gwalior Distt. The total
strength of Sindhis is 500 families. Shri Tikamdas Santwani is President, and
Shri Satypal Davani is Secretary of Puj Sindhi Panchayat, Dabra . They have 2
Sindhi Darbars, namely Sant Bhagatram Darbar & Seth Ladharam Darbar wherein
arrangement for marriages etc. is made with a total strength of 500 and 1000
respectively. These darbars also provide facilities and lodging. They have 4
sindhi temples. The Sindhis here are mostly in one or other business and nearly
90% of them speak in Sindhi with children at home and among themselves. The
city has Sant Kanwarram Mahavidyalaya and a Higher Secondary School under
Management of Sindhis but alas! Sindhi language is not taught there even as one
of the subjects. Hence they were persuaded to start Sindhi subject in future.
They celebrate important annual festivals such as Chetichand, Guru Nanak
Jayanti, Sant Godriwala & Swami Teoonram Jayanti.They take out procession
in the city on the auspicious occasion of Chetichand and they close their shops
& schools on that day. This day is also declared as a public holiday in
whole M.P state. Let us hope that our community will succeed in persuading
central Govt. to make this day a National Holiday in whole country under the
Negotiable Instruments Act. Shri. Dwarkadas Hakvani is Press Reporter. They
have published a beautiful Directory of Sindhis of the city. They are united
and mix with themselves on happy & unhappy occasions. Their relation with
local masses are very cordial. This Sindhi Panchayat is engaged in many social
activities such as helping in marriages of poor girls & widows, giving free
medicines to needy persons, serving drinking water to thirsty passengers
throughout the day and the year at railway station and also helping sindhi
needy passengers. In case of marriages of girls coming from other cities, the
total expenses of marriage are fully met by boy's side only which is rare in
our community. Sindhis of other cities can learn a good lesson from this custom.
They suggested that Sindhi Community should unite and forget all their
differences & should do selfless social service.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAGAR (Aug 4, 2008)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This famous city with a total strength
of 5 lakhs is situated on Bina-Katni section of central Railway. From the
Sindhi population point of view, it can be divided into 2 bastis (Areas) -
Subhash Nagar and Civil Lines. Nearly 10,000 Sindhis stay in Subhashnagar and
2000 in Civil Lines. Nearly 98% Sindhis are in business & practically all
(nearly 99% of them) converse in Sindhi language among themselves & at
homes which is a satisfying trend but sorry to say that, though they have one
school upto VIII Standard under their control, even Sindhi is not taught there
as one of the subjects, for which they were persuaded to start the same.
The President
& Secretary of Sindhi Panchayat respectively are Shri Tekchand Lahirwani
& Shri Mohanlal Sonia, whereas the President & Secretary respectively
of Sri Guru Nanak Trust (in Civil Lines Basti) are Shri Lakhanlal Bajaj &
Shri Prataprai Phulwani. There is also one Hari Madhav Samiti in this city. All
these social organizations are doing marvellous social activities (as in case
of Dabra city mentioned earlier) i.e. giving free tuition and dresses to poor
students, helping in marriage of poor girls & widows, arranging free
medical camps, arranging drinking water for thirsty passengers at Sagar Rly.
Station during summer season & helping needy Sindhi passengers etc. Like
Dabra City, here also all marriage expenses are met by boy’s side in case of girls coming
from other cities. The important annual festivals of Sindhis here are
Chetichand, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sai Milanram's Varsi, Jhulelal Chalisa, Guru
Punam, Navratra etc. A Priti Bhojan and procession with "Jhankis" is
arranged by them on the noble occasion of Chetichand. They have 4 Sindhi
Dharamshalas, namely Geeta Bhawan with hospital, Sai Milanram Sindhi Darbar,
Jhulelal Sindhi Dharamsala (all in Subhasnagar Basti) and above mentioned
fourth Sri Guru Nanak Trust and
Dharamshala (in Civil Lines Basti). While passing through Subhashnagar Basti,
one feels like passing through mini Sindh! They suggested that all important
Sindhi Associations throughout India, inspite of having different political
affiliations, should unite under one banner in the interest of real progress of
our community with tangible results for getting legitimate rights of Sindhis
from the Govt. The places worth seeing are Garapra Hanuman Mandir, Rajghat Dam,
Lakha Talao & Sagar University etc.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIDISHA (Aug 5,
2008)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This tiny town of 1 lakh population is situated on
Central Rly. near Bhopal. The Sindhis
Strength is 400. The President of Puj Sindhi Panchayat is Shri Radha Kishin
Motwani & Secretary is Shri. Harish Wadhwani. Sant Hirdaram Sindhu Seva
Trust & Sai Jhulelal Mandir (President, Shri Gurmukhdas Chhugani &
Secretary Shri Suresh Motiani) are situated in Dandapura Sindhu Colony.
Moreover, Sindhi Dharamshala and Gurudwara are situated in Bajaria area. Nearly
97% of them are in business. However as compared to above 2 cities, they are
lagging behind in using Sindhi Language (i.e. nearly 50%). Hence the importance
of speaking in Sindhi was emphasized. However in celebrating annual festivals,
they are no less than above cities such as Sri Guru Nanak Jayanti and mainly Chetichand wherein they
arrange "Bhandara" (Joint meals) and take out a big procession in the
streets inspite of being less in number in the city. They also close down their
business establishments on this auspicious occasion. They have produced a
beautiful Sindhi Directory of the city. Many of them in the Panchayat are
dedicated workers and do yeoman Social activities such as helping financially
in the marriages of poor girls and widows, arranging Netra Shibirs (Eye camps)
twice a year irrespective of community,
arranging Marriage Bureau (I/C Shri kishinchand Gurdasani), helping needy
Sindhis even at Rly. Station etc. They are united & often meet together on
happy and unhappy occasions and keep cordial relations with local people. The
places worth visiting around the city are famous Sanchi Stupa, Udaigiri,
Sidheswari Durga Mandir, Ranch Mandir, Shivalaya and Durga Mata Mandir, etc..
Thus on the whole,
it would be seen that Sindhis are having blessings of Sri Laxmi Mata. However
they don't take interest in Political field or in running Sindhi schools,
(which I emphasized in the meetings). However they have been more or less
preserving our rich language of Mohen -Jo-Daro days by conversing in Sindhi.
Furthermore for keeping their identity, most of them are keeping Murtis of Sai
Jhulelal in their homes or shops / offices (as in case of Bangalore city
arranged by Bangalore Sindhi Samaj), which is a satisfying factor.
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN MAHARASHTRA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARDHA (M.S.) (1995)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAGPUR (M.S.) (1995) and (Jan 2007)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHUSAWAL (Jul-Aug 1998)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JALGAON (Jul-Aug 1998)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHALISGAON (Jul-Aug 1998)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOUR REPORT OF SINDHIS IN
SOME CITIES IN MAHARASHTRA (March 1999)
Published in (1) N E W S L E T T E R of BHARATIYA SINDHU
SABHA (English) March 1999, (2) “Sindhi International” June 1999 (3) “Hindustan"
(Sindhi) Apr-24-1999 (4) “Sujag Sindhi", Devanagari May-3-1999
(To open new branches)
Tour Report of Sindhis of Kolhapur, Gandhinagar, Ichalkaranji, Sangli, Miraj
and Karad from 7-3-99 to 11-3-99 by Mohan G. Rohira & Bhagwan S. Budhrani
We had gone on
tour of above mentioned cities during 2nd week of this month for a 5 day tour
on behalf of BSS for promoting its ideals and opening new branches. At the
start of the journey, we had a little physical inconvenience as a morcha of
over 100 persons entered in our Reserved II sleeper compartment at midnight
which disturbed our sleep for the whole night and we could not go to toilets
even. However, on arrival at Sangli, we received so much love and affection (at
the hands of Shri Ajit Advani & others) as well as mental, intellectual
& spiritual satisfaction that it surpassed physical discomforts several
times! Meetings were held in each of above cities for 2 to 3 hours in the
Sindhi Community wherein various matters were discussed regarding unity &
improvement in the Sindhi Community, suggestions & information were collected,
Sindhi, VHP, National, Spiritual & BSS literature was distributed. There
was good enthusiasm, good hospitality
was extended to us everywhere so much so that we cannot forget it. It is rare
in big cities like Mumbai. The people were moved by the grand objectives of
BSS. The branches of BSS were opened and its convenors were nominated in each
of above cities with the consultation of genuine Sindhi social workers.
As we learnt in
various meetings of above cities, practically all speak in Sindhi except in
Kolhapur city where nearly 50% speak in Sindhi. They meet together on marriage
and death-ceremonies. In some of the above cities, Sindhis directories are
being prepared. Ichalkaranji Sindhis have published a directory, which is
enclosed herewith. They don't get Sindhi programmes on T.V./Radio and suggest
that Sindhi channel should be started immediately. Further reports for each
city are as under:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SANGLI (Mar 7,
1999)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shri Ajit Advani arranged a meeting of
the General Sindhi Panchayat at his residence on 07/03/1999 from 10 AM to 12.30
PM. Ten persons were present. The city has a population of 4.5 lakhs wherein
175 Sindhi families stay. There is one Purusharthi Sindhi Dharamsala (mainly
for marriage purposes only), one General Sindhi Panchayat whose President is
Shri Vishindas Gidwani and Secretary is Shri Gopichand Gidwani. They have acquired
27000 sq.ft. plot on Kolhapur Road for constructing Panchayati Hall etc. &
for 5% homeless Sindhi families for which they require financial help. They
were advised to start their own contribution first and then approach other
Sindhi philanthropists. Shri Ajit Advani was appointed as convenor of this new
branch. His address is as follows: 545/2, Kokane Plot, near Dainik Jana Pravas,
Kolhapur Road, Sangi-416416, Phone: 0233-373844-R, 0233-325846-0,
09823013660-Mobile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIRAJ (Mar 7, 1999)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shri Ajit Advani took both of us to
this city of 2 lakhs population with 135 Sindhi families. He had managed
meeting of Puj Sindhi Panchayat on the same day i.e. 7-3-99 at Udasi Darbar
from 5 to 7 PM wherein 14 persons were present. Shri Naraindas K. Menghani is
President & Shri Ramesh Shadija is Secretary of this Panchayat. The city
has one Sindhi Temple. Shri Naraindas K. Menghani was appointed as convenor of
this new branch of BSS. He is staying: C/o. Puja Cutlery Store, Ganesh Market,
Miraj-416410 (Distt.Sangli) (Phone No.:Shop-221802, Res.-224267)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GANDHINAGAR (Mar 8,
1999)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A meeting of
Sindhi Samaj took place at Sadhu Vaswani High School on 08/03/1999 from 8:00 to
10:30 PM wherein 12 persons were present. This meeting was arranged by Shri
Shewakram Advani, Advocate. This town has a Sindhi population of 20,000 out of
a total population of 25,000. There are 10 Sindhi Panchayats according to
different business/vocations. There is also one Central Panchayat. There is
also a branch of All India Sindhi Samaj. There are 3 High Schools, out of which
one Sadhu Vaswani High School is with Sindhi (Arabic) medium and two other
English High Schools with Sindhi (Arabic) subject, 2 Primary schools with Sindhi
(Arabic) medium and 2 Primary Schools with Sindhi as one of the subjects. They
arranged 4 of our lectures on the same day i.e. 10-3-99 including one in
Satsang of Swami Devprakash Maharaj and others in Sadhu Vaswani High School
before students. Shri Shewakram Advani, Advocate staying at near-P.O.,
Gandhinagar - 416 119 (Distt: Kolhapur) (Phone: 610026) was appointed as
convenor of BSS’ new branch. He is to be assisted by Shri Ambritlal M. Nagdev.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICHALKARANJI (Mar
10, 1999)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A meeting of
Sindhi Panchayat was arranged by Shri Jawaharlal Chhabria, city VHP President
at his office (above Kriyana Shop) at Mahatma Gandhi Chowk, Ichalkaranji on
10/03/1999 from 10:00 to 12:30 PM wherein 11 persons were present. The city has
1000 Sindhis among a total population of 3.5 lakhs. Shri Shankarlal K.
Mulchandani, staying at ward no.4, House No.126, Dr. Hedgewarnagar,
Ichalkaranji - 416 115, (Distt. Kolhapur) (Phone Nos.0230-430310-shop and
423024-Residence) was appointed as convenor of BSS new branch. He will be
assisted by the above mentioned Shri Jawaharlal Chhabria, Advocate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KOLHAPUR (Mar 11,
1999)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here the meeting
of Kolhapur Sindhi Samaj could not take place as its President, Shri Ramesh
Lalwani, was out of station. However, he met us at his residence at the last
moment on 10-3-99. He was appointed as convenor of BSS new branch on the
recommendations of the above Sindhi leaders. He is staying at Trimurti, 250/B,
33 E, Nagala Park, Kolhapur (Phone: 661515-R, 641515 / 641212-0). He discussed
and gave some valuable information about the activities of the Sindhi
Panchayats. We were in meeting for 2 hours approximately The Sindhis are 250
families in a total population of 10 Lakhs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KARAD (Mar 11,
1999) and a number of times thereafter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meeting of Puj
Sindhi Panchayat, Karad took place on 11-3-99 from 5-30 PM to 8-00 PM at Mohan
Trading Co.'s office in Shaniwar Peth, Karad, where 26 persons were present
including Shri Ajit Advani of Sangli and Shri Narsinghdas Savlani of
Gandhinagar. Shri Kishinchand Gopalani, staying at 43, Shaniwar Peth, Karad -
415 110 (Phone: 21637-R) was appointed as convenor of new branch of BSS. The
President of above Panchayat is Shri Jiandram Sachdev and Secretary is Shri
Ramesh Sachdev. The President of the other organisation i.e. Sindhi Yuvak Manch
is again Shri Ramesh Sachdev and Secretary is Shri Anil Sachdev. There are 45
families in the total population of 75000.
On the whole,
Sindhis in all above cities are increasingly interested in preserving Sindhi
culture, sanskriti and language and highly conscious of the same.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINDHUNAGAR (Ulhasnagar),
The Pride of Sindhi community
(Jun 5, 2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published in (1) Akhand Sindhu Sansar (Dev), dt. Oct 1,
2011 (2) Hindu Sindhi, dt. Jun 30, 2011 and July 1, 2011 (3) Sindhiyat English
dt. Jan 15, 2012 (4) Samvad Sindhi, dt. Nov 1-15, 2011
Recently I got the
opportunity to visit Sindhunagar (Ulhasnagar) on an invitation from Hamlog Circle for reading my article
“Survival of Sindhi Community in Danger” in the Town Hall in their
Sindhi Samaj Political Seminar. On that very occasion many Important
personalities had come there who discussed the problems of Sindhi Community
with particular reference to those of
Sindhunagar and their Solution. The report in a
nut shell is as under:
This city is at a
distance of 60 Km from Mumbai and it is divided from 1 to 5 Nos. There were
Military Barracks during British Rule which
were given to nearly 90000 Sindhis -who
came from Sindh (Pakistan)- by the Govt.
after partition of India. This town was
called Kalyan Camp at that time. However on 08-08-1949, it was renamed
as Ulhasnagar.
There were no
civil amenities at that time, never-the-less the hardworking and enterprising
Sindhis , by their ceaseless efforts with their sweat labour( e.g. by selling
Biscuits and pepper mints in the local trains, doing menial work like doing boot polish etc. ) slowly , gradually
and ultimately most of them reached to a
high level within a few years. They have made small and big cottage industries to such a level that now
Sindhunagar is popularly called a “mini
Japan” .
Earlier (1949)
with a population of 90000 Sindhis, the
city has reached to the strength of 6 lakhs (in census of 2011) with the small
area of nearly 13 km and thus it has
become the one of the densitiest cities in India. Though percentage vise
Sindhis have reduced themselves to nearly 50% due to their
migration from the city, they would
be around 3 lakhs even now. Thus this city has become the biggest centre
of Sindhi Community in the world, where we got the glimpse of Sindhi Culture
and Sanskriti and thus it can rightly be
called “mini Sindh” in India. I have been travelling throughout the length and breadth of India during
last 28 years & have met important Sindhis of over 100 cities and towns
(whose report is mentioned in my book. “Fragrance of Sindhi Community”) but I
have not found any city so far whose Sindhis have no
connection with those of Sindhunagar in one way or other .
But alas! The local non-Sindhis & the state Govt. do not want to change the
name of city from Ulhasnagar to Sindhunagar . In my tour I have also
seen that in small towns Sindhis have been allowed to maintain names such as jhulelal Nagar (As
in Allahabad etc.), Sindhunagar (Bhavnagar
, Bhilwara etc. ), Sant Kanwar nagar ( Bhopal, Jalgaon etc.), Sindhi Market
(Ahmedabad etc.) , Sindhi Colony, Sindhi Bazar, Sindhi Pada etc., even though the population of
Sindhis in these cities is hardly a few
thousands. Then what is the harm in changing the name of Ulhasnagar particularly with Sindhis
population of nearly 3 lacs ? Moreover, with this ulterior motive against
Sindhi Community, the State Govt has divided this town in 3
constituencies.Ulhasnagar 1,2,3, as one constituency, Ulhasnagar 4 and Kalyan
as 2nd Constituency, Ulhasnagar 5 and Ambernath as 3rd constituency, so that no Sindhi person could
be elected easily as an MLA, particularly Knowing that Sindhis are already having minority problem
as they are scattered throughout India after partition. To add insult to injury
, nearly 15000 Sindhis have become Christians due to temptation of prosperity
etc.)
However recently
the awakening has come here and its
residents , with the help of bold persons like Shri. Dilip Lalwani &
others, have demonstrated admirable
unity by closing of all the shops, stopping movement of trains and bearing
lathis of police and converted the whole
city into a police contoment for saving 855 irregular buildings. Consequently the
Maha. Govt. was pleased and persuaded at least to promulgate an ordiance for
regularization of these buildings (Though it yet remains to be finalized).
Here the Municipal
Corp. has 37 Sindhi Corporators out of Total 76 Corporators. Moreover the
presidents of 3 Main Political parties are Sindhis, such as Dr. Jairam Lulla
(Congress) , Bhabhi Jyoti Kalani ( NCP) , Shri. Jammu Purswani (BJP), Shri.
Kumar Aialni (MLA-BJP), Shri Sitaldas Harchandani – Ex.MLA-BJP) etc. It is
therefore hoped that now all sindhis will be united after forgetting their
petty differences, and create selfless, brave and foresighted leaders like Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare and after passing
the resolution for change of city’s name from Ulhasnagar to Sindhunagar in UMC
and get it passed by Maharashtra Govt. Not only
that but, they will be able to persuade Govt. to make one Constituency
of Sindhunagar as it was so previously.
It is also hoped that they will solve all other problems with ceaseless
efforts, such as reconversion of 15000 Sindhis into their original Hindu
religion speak Sindhi with their children, sending their children in Sindhi
Schools etc. It is also hoped that they will not make further migration from
the city but those who have left will come back like attraction to a magnet by treating the city as their Karma bhoomi, Janmabhoomi
and Dharmabhoomi and by making it as a beautiful hub of Sindhi Community and the pride
city of Bharat.
The city has
numerous literary, social, religions etc. Sindhi associations, Panchayats,
Trusts, Ashrams temples etc. which are doing neomen social services in
different fields with different names
e.g. Jhulelal Trust. Sai Baba Educational Trust, Navjivan circle trust,
Amar pir Rajavir Charitable Trust, Swami Shantiprakash Education Board Trust,
Yoga centre, Asharam & Radheyshyam
Gaushalla, Sai Lakh Jivan Ghot Guashalla, Puj Challiho Sahib, Sonara Navjavan
Mandal Panchayat, Puj Larkana Panchayat, Puj Dharmawadi Panchayat, Sindhu Youth
Circle, Kalpana Friends circle, Hum Log
circle, Ram Japo Ashram , Bharatiya
Sanskar Ashram , Hari Kirtan Darbar,
Shyam Seva Niketan, Parmanand Bhandar,
Gurudwara Shri. Guru Singh Sabha, Gurudwara Gur Sangat Darbar, Prajapita Braham
Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya etc. etc. More over Recently a new Central
Panchayat for whole city has come into existence representing all the 5 Nos,
areas lead taken by Hum Log Circle.
The city has a
good number of Sindhi Dharamshallas with
the names such as Shikarpuri, Jhulelal, Dharamdas, Swami Teoonram, Lakshamibai
Isardas Dharamshallas etc. The Temples are also built near these Dharamshallas
with same names. A good no. of hospitals are found in the city with the names such as Swami Servananand (No. 5) , Paryani
(No. 4) , Balani (No. 4) civil and central Hospitals (No. 3) etc. The Sindhis
of this city are mostly engaged in business and industries and hardly 5% are in
Service. The Sindhis are normally not appointed in Govt. jobs due to step
motherly treatment meted out to them by the Govt.
Here the Sindhis
mainly (90%) speak in their mother tongue at home and among themselves. Three
Primary Sindhi Schools and Jhulelal High School have sindhi medium of
instruction in their schools. The remaining S.E.S. High School, Netaji High
School and Swami Shanti Prakash High School have one Sindhi subject compulsory
for Sindhi students. Hence these schools are contributing preservation of
Sindhi languages and culture to a great extent. The Sindhi (Arabian) script is
used in these schools.
A good number of
daily Newspapers are published from this city such as Sandesh Bharat, Leader
Express, Town Darshan , Nagar News, Nagarvasi, Ulhas Vikas etc. (daily) ,
Duniya Samachar (weekly), Dhanushdhari (Hindi-Sindhi) etc. They have also published one commercial Directory
which describes the business activities of Sindhis of Sindhunagar, Ambarnath,
Kalyan and Dombivali.
The Murti of
Jhulelal Sai is normally found on the shops / offices etc. of Sindhis here to
preserve their identity. Sindhi programmes can be seen here on Sindhi – Kutchi
and local cable T.V. Channels.
They celebrate
important auspicious annual festivals and anniversaries with flying colours.
Specially on Chetichand day , they
take out “Maha Yatra” from
Jhulelal Temple (No. 1) to Swami Shanti Prakash Ashram (No.5) with Bahrana
Sahib & Jhankies , distribute Prasad and burn crackers enroute and finally
take “Priti Bhojan” together at Swami Shanti Prakash Ashram . Similarly
procession and “Langar” is arranged at
Gur Sangat Darbar (No. 4) on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanik Jayanti .
The City has many
worth seeing tourist places like Birla Mandir (No.1), ancient Shiva Temple
(No.5) wherein a big mela is arranged on Mahashivratri day, Moreover the
aforesaid Temples are also worth seeing . All these worth seeing places have
made this city a pilgrimage place of
Sindhis in India. Hence one and all particularly lucky sindhis should at the
earliest, visit this Important Sindhunagar, the centre of Sindhi Culture and
Sanskriti.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SATARA (Nov 16,
2003)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASIK
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published in (1) "Hindu Bhoomi" Sindhi Weekly
dt. 15/03/2004, (2) "Sujag Sindhi" Weekly (Devnagari) dt. 19/04/2004
Tour Report
of Sindhis in Nasik (March 1, 2004)
By Mohan G.
Rohira
I got golden
opportunity to meet important Sindhis of Nasik in March, 2004. They were good
enough to arrange an urgent extraordinary meeting of office bearers of all
Sindhi Organizations on my request, for promoting our ancient culture, language
and sanskriti and cementing the bonds of brotherhood in our Community. The
report in a nutshell is as follows:-
This ancient city
of pilgrimage has a total strength of 15 lakhs including 25000 Sindhis. They
are scattered throughout the City. However nearly 60 families stay in Hollaram
Colony. They speak mainly in Sindhi at home & among themselves. They are
quite well off in their respective various businesses and have earned a good
name in the City. They have built many Dharamshalas for staying purposes at
nominal rates for pilgrims in Panchvati, near Godavari River, such as Baba
Ramdas khatwari Dharamshala, Advani Dharamshala, Khanchand Javeri Dharamshala,
Radhakishin Motumal Dharamshala, Seva Kunj, Swami Teoonram Amrapur Dham etc.
These Dharamshalas have beautiful Temples in their premises. In addition, Dada
Manoharlal Gurudwara, Panchwati & Jhulelal Temple in Hollaram Colony, are
also places worth seeing.
The city has many
important Sindhi organizations such as Ghotki Sindhi Panchayat, Upanagar Sindhi
Panchayat, Sidco Sindhi Panchayat, Swami Shanti Prakash Panchvati Sindhi
Panchayat, Sindhu Sahitya Kala Sangam, Sindhu Social and Cultural Association,
Jhulelal Mitra Mandal, Nasik Sindhi Samaj Seva Samiti etc. Not only that, but
they have also formed a central body of all these organizations namely, 'Nasik
Sindhi Panchayat’. Every organization is playing important role in their
respective fields. However their detailed activities can not be mentioned here
for want of space. They have also formed "Nasik Distt. Sindhi Panchayats
Federation" in 1994 comprising of Sindhi Associations from 17 Talukas, who
meet bimonthly in different cities turn by turn and compete among themselves
for doing social work etc. Recently Puj Sindhi Panchayat Devlali and Puj Sindhi
Panchayat Malegaon have earned the names of "Adrash (Ideal)
Panchayat". Recently the members of this Federation helped the Sindhis of
Malegaon in all respects (including getting insurance claims from Insurance
companies) who suffered monetarily during Communal riots. This bold action has
raised the morale of Sindhis of Malegaon. The Sindhis of other cities should
learn from this noble example.
The city also has
H.A.B. Sindhi High School (Sindhi medium) and H.A.B. High School (English
medium but with one Sindhi subject). Sindhi Primary School is running with full
force. It is a matter of pride for the Community that these schools show a good
result in annual S.S.C. examinations. They celebrate important festivals such
as Cheti Chand, Maha Shivratri, Puj Chaliha Sahib, Ganesh Chaturthi, Mata
jagaran, etc. They take out procession with Jhankis and eat together on the
occasion of the 1st 2 Melas above. They are not lagging behind in the field of
Banking. They have established "Jhulelal Bank" having branches in
Jalgaon and Dhulia. This report will be incomplete without mention of 3
important personalities. One is Dr. Pt. Vijay Setpal. He is also a famous music
Director & Poet, having composed many songs in Hindi & Sindhi. The
other one is Shri Mohan Talreja. He is a famous Singer on T.V. and Akashvani
and has produced many audio & video cassettes in Sindhi, Hindi &
Marathi, which are popular among the masses. Last but not least, is Shri
Mayaram Kukreja "Dard". He is a famous Writer, Poet and Journalist
and has arranged many Kavi Sammelans and has written a number of articles in
different fields (and without his valuable help I could not have got most of
above useful information). The places worth seeing in this ancient city are
Tapovan, Bhakti Dham, Someshwar, Pandav Caves, Mukti Dham, Ved Mandir, Science
and Money Museums, Trambakeshwar Jyotirling, Godavari River, etc. which can be
conveniently visited in a day under the conducted tour of Maharashtra Tourism.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Urli Kanchan (June 21, 2005) and (May 18,
2013)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tour Report
of Sindhis of Urli Kanchan (June 21, 2005) and (May 18, 2013)
Published in (1) “Aseen Sindhi”, June-July 2005 (2)
“Hindu” (Sindhi) Jul-14-2005 (3)“Hindvasi” (Sindhi) Jul-24-2005 (4) “Sujag Sindhi"
(Dev) Jul-4-2005
Mohan G. Rohira, Advocate
I got a golden
opportunity to meet the important Sindhis of Urli Kanchan (30 kms. from Pune on
Sholapur Rly. Line) during end of June 2005. The love and affection extended by
them cannot be described. The taste of pudding is in its eating. They were
good enough to arrange a meeting of Sindhis at short notice on my request for
promoting our ancient culture, language and sanskriti as well as cementing
bonds of brotherhood in our community. The meeting continued for 3 hours
wherein 34 people were present. The report in a nutshell is as under:-
This is a small
town having a total population of 50,000 only, including 150 Sindhi families.
However they are not lagging behind in social field. They have formed a Puj
Sindhi Panchayat and a Jhulelal Mandli whose President is Shri Ghanshyamdas
Chawla and Secretary is Shri Rajesh Rohira. They do a lot of social service
unitedly wherein the younger generation also takes active part. They have a
Sindhi Guru Nanik Darbar where daily kirtan and aarti takes place and it is
also used for happy and sad occasions. They mainly speak in Sindhi (nearly 80%)
at home and among themselves. This fact I have noticed particularly in 40-50
small towns visited by me during the last 20 years, which shows that the Sindhi
language cannot die as long as Sindhi language continues in small towns.
However, there are no Sindhi classes there, though they have promised to start
such classes shortly. They are mainly in business and are well off financially.
They celebrate important festivals, i.e. Chetichand, Guru Nanik Jayanti and
Chaliha Sahib annually together with priti bhojan and take out processions on
these occasions where local people also participate. Hence they have got good
relations with local people and command good respect in the town. They have
also promised to close shops on the occasion of Chetichand so that Maharashtra
Govt. could be persuaded to declare Chetichand as Public Holiday under the
Negotiable instruments Act. They strongly desire that a Sindhi TV channel
should be started, sooner the better, so as to boost the morale of particularly
young generation in our community for Sindhiyat. They are shortly publishing a
Sindhi Directory. They always meet together on occasions such as marriage or
death ceremonies etc. The places worth seeing are Prayagdham (Anandpur Darbar)
and a very famous Nisargopchar (Nature Cure) Ashram inaugurated by Mahatma
Gandhi where all kinds of patients are cured successfully. Hence it is a must
see place for everyone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pune (M.S.) (2009)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lonavla (Sep 1,
2010)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOUR REPORT OF SINDHIS IN LONAVALA (Sep 1, 2010 and a
number of times thereafter):
(Mohan G. Rohira , Advocate)
Published in (1) Hindu
Sindhi October 29, 2010 (2) Akhanda Sindhu Sansar dt. Nov 1, 2010
This city is a
hill station on Mumbai Pune Road at a distance of 120 Km from Mumbai. Its total
strength is 1 Lakh including 45 Sindhi families. They have Puj Sindhi Panchayat
whose President is Shri. Vijay Daryanani and secretary Shri. Kamal Lachhu Bajaj
(Son of Famous Lady Social worker Smt. Hemlata Bajaj). They do some social
activities for the Community through this Panchayat. These Sindhi families
speak in their mother tongue amongst themselves. About 10 persons among them
know to write and read Sindhi Script. Most of them are in business and are well
off. Sixteen important hotels, out of total 85 hotels in the city, belong to
Sindhis. They celebrate important annual festivals together, particularly on
the noble occasions of Guru Nanak
Jayanti & Chetichand. Moreover they also take out procession with
"Jhankies" on the auspicious day of Chetichand every alternate year.
They mostly keep Murtis of Shri. Jhulelal in their Shops/ Hotels for preserving
their identity. Places worth staying here are Amrit Vela Ashram, Sadhu Vaswani
Trust, Prem Prakash Ashram, Shahani Holiday Home, Manghnani Elders Home, Sri.
Karunanidhi Senior Citizens Home etc. These places include important temples
also. Moreover one cannot afford to miss here Karla Caves, Vedant Academy,
Bushi & Lonavala Dam, Wax Museum, Kaivalyadham Yoga College & beautiful
scenes enjoyable at this hill station.
Tour Report
of Sindhis staying in some cities of Maharashtra (Oct 2014)
In order to cement bonds of unity and
create consciousness among the Sindhi masses for getting political and other
rights from the Central Govt., I have so
far travelled and visited 110 cities / towns of India since 1987, met officials
of Important Sindhi organisations, got first hand information regarding Sindhi
Community which has been published in these columns. The readers can visit
“www.fragrancesindhicommunity.blogsppot.in”
for ready reference. Continuing
same efforts, I have visited following 4 cities of Maharashtra recently. The report in a nutshell is as under:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gondia
(Oct 2014)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town’s total strength is 135873
(as per 2011 census) which includes 14000 Sindhis (i.e. 10%). Out of that
nearly 2000 know Sindhi Script.
Practically all (say 98%) speak in Sindhi at home and among
themselves. Nearly 5% Sindhis are in
service, the remaining all are mostly in all main businesses. They have 800 shops in the town and some have
small factories. 46 members were present
here in meeting which took place on 26.08.2014.
Their names & mob. Nos. were noted (as in case of other
towns/cities). Enough inspiration and
emotions were visible in the meeting.
Some members (particularly Rajkumar Notani & Murlidhar Aswani) gave
foreceful suggestions for getting ‘Sindh Pradesh’ in India. Some Sindhis of this town are courageous,
revolutionary & bold enough (as those of Godhra city of Gujarat) and they
have unity among themselves. They close
down all shops if any injustice is done to any Sindhi in the town.
They have 21
associations i.e. Sindhi General Panchayat (President Mahesh Kumar Ahuja &
Secretary Chandrasen Ramnani, (2) Srinagar Sindhi Panchayat (President Suresh
Harjani), (3) Sukkur Panchayat (P-Indrakumar Hotchandani), (4) Jhulelal
Panchayat (P-Harish Velvani), (5) Sindhi Sikhshan Sanstha (P-Bhagatram
Thakrani), (6) Sant Kanwarram Sikhshan Sanstha (P-Gangadhar Lubhani), (7)
Sindhi Navyuvak Sewa Mandal (P-Gopal Dhirwani), (8) Sindhi Sevadhari Mandal
(P-Dayaldas Basantwani), (9) Badhte Kadam Sindhu Seva Samiti (P-Mahesh
Lalwani), (10) Mata Toli Panchayat (P-Kishore Wadhwani), (11), Sindhi Siksha & Sahitya Sangat
(P-Prataprai Motwani), (12) Pir Shivnath Sevak Mandal, (13) Sant Kanwar Ram
Seva Samiti, (14) Sindhi Manihari Panchayat, (15) Gondia Blood Donars
Association, (16) Ek Disha Sindhu Seva Samiti, (17) Ashirwad Colony Panchayat,
(18) Jhulelal Colony Panchayat, (19) Surajmal Colony Panchayat, (20) Nirankari
Mandal Seva Samiti, (21) Hari Madhav Seva Samiti. Every association is doing enough social work
in its own field and celebrating annual functions with one an others’
co-operation. Badhte Kadam Sindhu Seva
Samiti has also purchased Ambulance equipped with Ventilator for serving the
patients in emergency.
Here Sindhis have 3 Bhavanas namely 91) Sindhi Manihari Panchayat Bhawan
& Temple, (2) Sukkur Panchayat Bhawan & Temple (both in Sindhi Colony), (3) Srinagar Sindhi Panchayat
Bhavan (in Srinagar locality).
Furthermore there are more temples such as Sant Kanwarram Temple (in
Sindhi School), Jhulelal Temple (in Sindhi
Colony), Prem Prakash Temple of Swami Jeoouramji which was well built 14
years back with an area of 10,000 sq.ft. at Barkoli (Sindhi Colony). More over the town has temples of Nirankari,
Radhasoami & Anandpur Sahib. Sindhi
schools are also functioning have which are managed by Sindhi Sikhshan Sanstha
& Sant Kanwarram Sikhshan Sanstha but alas! even Sindhhi Language is not taught here even as
one of the subjects. Many annual functions take place here. Particularly Chetichand is celebrated for
continuously 2 days, wherein they take out procession in the town, arrange
joint food and close down their all shops.
They keep photograph of Sai Jhulelal at home or at shops. The worth seeing Nagjira National Park is
hardly 40km away from this town.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amravati
(Oct 2014)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city has total strength of 10
lakhs which includes 30,000 Sindhis (i.e. hardly 3%). The break up details of Sindhi families
area-wise is as follows: Dastoor Nagar 1500, Kanwar Nagar (including
Sindhunagar, Ambanagar, Baba Hardasram Society etc.) 1200, Krishnanagar 1000, Rampuri Camp 1000 and
the remaining families stay in Naniknagar, Sahakarnagar, etc. localities. They do not have Sindhi Central Panchayat
here. Only Dastoor nagar &
Kanwarnagar have Sindhi Pandhayats.
Pujya Dastoor nagar Sindhi Pandhayat has 3 Pramukhs. Out of these, names of 2 persons are Shri
Ramchandra Kamna & Shri Nandlal Khatri.
Their secretary is Shri
Jaiprakash Haswani. Priya Sindhi
Panchayat Kanwarnagar has Shri Indirlal Nanwani as President & Shri
Premchand Kukreja as secretary. They
have published a nice Telephone Directory which gives much useful information
regarding Sindhi community of the town - particularly of that locality. The third association is Sindhi Sikhsha & Sahitya Sangat whose
President is Shri Shankarlal Batra.
Every association is doing enough social work in its respective field
and celebrate annual functions with one an others’ co-operation. Such as Sant Rajaram Varsi, Sant Kanwarram
Jayanti etc. They celebrate Chetichand
in their locality. On this auspicious
day, they take out procession and close down their shops for half day. They keep photograph of Jhulelal Sai at their
home / shops. They are mostly in
business. This town is a hub of
readymade garments. The other main
businesses are cloth, medicines, factories (nearly 50) etc. Shri Nanikram Ahuja, a press reporter,
publishes 2 newspapers - “Pratidin” in Hindi and “Virat Kesari” in Marathi.
This city,
particulary kanwarnagar & Sindhunagar localities, has many Ashrams,
Temples, Hospitals, Bhawans & Dharmshellas (most of them with lodging &
boarding facilities) etc. such as (1)
Swami Teoonramji’s Prem Prakash Mandir, (2) Sant Kanwar Ram Mandir [Pujya Devri
Sahib] - where Shri Manoharlal, Sai Kanwar Ram’s grandson and Sai Pesuram’s son
is staying at present], (3) Shadani Darbar & Dharamshala (of Raipur) and Shadani
Sant Rajaram Charitable Hospital, (4) Swami Shivbhajan Maharajji’s Jai Samadha
Ashram, Dharmshala & Maharaj Rup Bhajan Charitable Hospital, (5) Sant Dr.
Santosh Kumarji’s Jai Shivdhara Ashram (whose, programme is telecast daily on ‘ Sant sang’ T.V. Channel & ‘Sindhi
Sajan’ T.V. Channel), (6) Sai Sadhramji’s Sant Satram Dham (SSD) and Bhavan,
(7) Sant Kanwar Ramji’s Pujya Darbar Sahib, (8) Pujya Seva Mandli and
Dharamshala, (9) Sant Baba Asudaram Charitable Homeo Hospital, (10) Shiv
Mandir, (11) Sant Kanwar Ram Dharamshala (12) Baba Hardasram Dharamshala
etc. Above mentioned Jai Shiv Dhara
Ashram serves cold water to passengers of Amravati Rly. Station and Bus Station
in hot season. Like-wise many social
activities, giving medical help, arranging daily Satsangs etc. are going on
here in every Ashram which cannot be described here in this limited space. While visiting these Ashrams of Kanwarnagar
& Sindhunagar, I felt as if I was visiting Pilgrimage places of Sindhis in
‘mini sindh’ with much peace of mind!
The readers can themselves experience & verify this feeling by
visiting these pious places. The test of
pudding is in its eating. Even though
the population of Sindhis here is hardly 3% of the total population, however
they have raised their image in the minds of city masses due to their neomen
& philanthropic serves through their Ashrams & hospitals.
The city has
many worth seeing other temples also such as Ambadevi Mandir (where Sri Krishna
had eloped Rukmani), Sati Dham Mandir, ISKCON Mandir, Sai Baba Mandir,
Vaishnodevi Mandir, etc. 17 memers were
present in the meeting of Kanwarnagar Sindhi Panchayat on 28.08.2014 and 13
members were present in the meeting of Dastoor nagar Sindhi Panchayat on
30.08.2014.
[Note: In the meeting
of Kanwarnagar Sindhi Panchayat a young member Shri Sunil K. Harwani got up
with emotion and offered his services along with his companions for any cause
of Sindhi Community’s benefit].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Malegaon
(Oct 2014)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This city is at a distance of 35 km
by road from Manmad Rly. Station. It has
8 lakh population, which includes 125 Sindhi families (700 members). Nearly 50% of them speak in Sindhi at home
& among themselves. The remaining
speak in Marathi or Hindi. Most of them (say
95%) are engaged in one or other businesses such as Power Loom, Plastic Pipes
(used in telephones & agriculture), Readymade & general cloth etc. Mostly they keep photograph of Jhulelal Sai
at home or at their shops. Majority of
them stay in New Jhulelal Sindhi Colony
(40 familiees) and old Sindhi Colony (43 families). Both colonies are near to each other. They have one Jhulelal Mandir between both
colonies. They have built one “Sindhi
Mangal Karyalaya” for the purpose of arranging marriages and other social
functions. They have one “Pujya Jhulelal
Sindhi Panchayat” whose young President is Shri Sanjay (Suresh) Chandru Fatnani
& Secretary is Shri Srichand Jethwani.
They also have Shri Bharat Kumar Talreja as Vice President and Shri
Mukesh Janani (Press Reproter) as Treasurer.
This Panchayat does some social activities for the community and
celebrates annual functions such as Mahashivaratri, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Ganesh
Utsav, Lala Loi, 23rd June as Jhulelal Mandir’s establishment day
etc. On the occasion of Chetichand they
arrange joint food and close their shops for half day. On the day of Chaliha Sahib they arrange
joint food as well as take out procession in the city. They have prepared a Sindhi Directory. The city has one Bhaikot old Fort wherein a
School & Municipal office is situated at present. 30 members (including 50%
youngsters) were present in the meeting here on 02.09.2014.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manmad (Oct 2014)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town has big Rly. Junction
station on Central Rly. Its population
is one lakh which includes 65 Sindhi families.
5 Sindhis are in service. The
remaining are in one or another business such as watches, wine, sweets,
kriyana, cloth, etc. They speak in
Sindhi at home and among themselves, 12 of them know Sindhi script. They
have one “Pujya Sindhi Panchayat Manmad Shahar” whose President is Shri Naraindas Phulwani,
Vice President is Shri Bhagchand M. Lalwani and Secretary is Shri Rajesh (Babu)
Kanayalal Daryani. They do not have any
Sindhi Dharamshala, Bhawan or temple, however, one Jhulelal Mandir is under
construction. They do some social work
for the community and celebrate some annual functions. They arrange joint food on Chetichand &
Guru Nanak Jayanti and close down their shops for a half day. They also take out procession on the occasion
of Chetichand. They have prepared a
Directory of Sindhis of the town so that they can contact all by telephone or
by SMS. They compulsorily keep
the photograph of Sai Jhulelal at their home or at shops. The town has a 3000 years ancient Nagapore
Shiv Temple at a distance of 5 kms and a nice Gurudwara (with AC & non-AC
rooms for staying) near the Rly. Station.
Note:
Due to late arrival of train, official meeting could not take place
here. However the above information was
collected from abovementioned young secretary Shri Rajesh as well as from other
Sindhis.
Tour Report & Sindhis
staying in 30 cities of Maharashtra
Mohan G. Rohra, Advocate Mob: 9321448147
In continuation of my efforts to bring Sindhi
community united and to preserve our identity and rich culture by getting in
touch with the office bearers of various important Sindhi organizations across
174 cities/towns in India and abroad so far, recently I got the golden
opportunity to visit following further 23 cities/towns of Maharashtra during 18
days of October 2018. In addition, the office bearers of Sindhi community of 7
further cities of nearby areas also took part in these meetings.
One important gratifying and worth noting
factor which was normally seen in these cities was that Sindhis here on the
whole, say 70% to 80% speak in their mother tongue at home and among themselves.
Of course such percentage is lower to some extent in a few big cities. After
settling financially, they are getting awakened day by day to preserve their
Culture and Language. If this trend continues, our ancestral and ancient rich
language has no danger of getting extinguished. Though most of Sindhi schools
in these cities have been closed to a great extent, however Sindhi classes are
being run by some devoted social workers. They are expert in celebrating annual
festivals and thus they have been preserving our rich Culture and Sanskriti.
They are well versed in Marathi language. They have become very successful in
many businesses of the cities due to their qualities of hard work, patience,
perseverance and ability coupled with having mixing nature and control on local
language. They have become even owners of big hotels in some cities and thus on
the whole they are well off with the grace of Sai Jhulelal. Some of them have
become famous Doctors, Advocates, and CA. or have occupied good jobs. They have
good relations with local people and command good respect among them due to
their humble and hospitable nature. However they have no interest in politics
and hence politically, they are far behind like those of other cities. They are
more or less united and do so many social activities mainly for their community
by forming Panchayats/associations. They often meet together on happy and
unhappy occasions. They often keep the photos of Sai Jhulelal, Guru Nanik (and
in some cities those of Sai Kanwar Ram also) at their homes / shops, which
helps to identify them. As compared to big cities, the Sindhis of small towns
are more attached to Sindhyat and they are also more hospitable. Moreover they
have built many temples, Panchayat Halls and Dharamshallas for the community where
even local masses are also benefited. We really feel proud of such philanthropists!
The names and mob.Nos. of all attendees in each city’s meetings were noted
down, Sindhi and national literature was also distributed at such meetings.
Remaining details of these 30 cities/towns in a nutshell are as under:
1) Daund: - This town of 2 lakh strength is situated
near Pune. Only 150 Sindhi families stay here. 8 doctors and one advocate are
among them. Nearly 2% of them are in service and the remaining are engaged in
different businesses. They have formed Daund Sindhi Panchayat (President Kalachand
Abichandani, V.P.-Prataprai Lund and Secy. Prataprai Kukreja). They have
one Guru Nanik Sindhi Dharamshalla at Jhulelal Chowk. Moreover they have Guru
Nanik Darbar, Jhulelal Mandir and Devi Mata Mandir. They celebrate many annual
festivals. On Guru Nanak Jayanti, they take out Prabhat Pheri for 5 days and
close down their shops for whole day. On occasions of Chetichand and Chaliha
Sahib they take out procession in the town and close their shops for half day.
They have published a directory of Sindhis of the town. They gave many
suggestions in the meeting such as starting of DD Sindhi T.V. channel and checking
the conversion of Sindhis of Ulhasnagar. The meeting of the Panchayat took
place on 8-10-2018 at 3 pm at Guru Nanik Darbar, Gandhi Chowk wherein 12
members were present.
2) Ahmednagar: - This ancient and
famous city has population of 6 lakh which includes 8500 Sindhis. They have
formed many Sindhi sassociations, the main among them are 1) Hind Seva Mandal, 2) Sant Kanwar Ram Seva
Samithi, 3) Ahmednagar Sindhi Education Society (Secretary Shri Damodar Bathija)
4) GuruKripa
Trust, 5) Jhulelal Mandir Samiti, 6) Gambat Sindhi Panchayat, 7) Sindhi Yuva
Samiti and chief among them is 8) Ahmednagar Sindhi General Panchayat whose
President is shri G.R. Madhyan (Lalu Seth). They have built many Dharamshallas
etc. such as Radhakrishin chetandas Madhyan Sindhi Dharamshalla, Sindhi Mangal
Karyalaya (Bhutkal wadi), Sant Kauwar Ram Sindhi Dharamshalla (Mali Wada) and
Gambat Sindhi Dharamashalla. Most of them (say 90%) are in various businesses
and remaining are in service. Some are in professions. Among them 15 are
Doctors, 6 are CA and 4 as advocates. They have one St. Vivekananda (English) High
School managed by Sindhi Education Society with strength of 1100 students,
including 250 Sindhi Students. In spite of that no Sindhi subject is taught
here as one of the Subjects. They have also prepared a directory of Sindhis of
the city. They have built many religious places such as Jhulelal Mandir, Guru
Nanik Mandir, Bhai Sahib Kalyandas and Khushaldas Mandirs, Guru Nanik Darbar
(Shriji Pura). They celebrate many annual festivals. On occasion of Cheti chand
and Cheliha Sahib they take out procession, arrange ‘Priti Bhojan’ (joint food)
and close their shops for half a day. On Guru Nanik and Sant Kanwar Ram
Jayanti, they take out ‘Prabhat Pheri’. The worth seeing tourist places in the
city are Chand Bibi Mahal, Tank Museum and Fort. The meeting of Sindhi General
Panchyat took place on 09-10-2018 at 10.30 AM at St. Vivekanand High School
where in 30 members were present including Lady Teachers. Shri Bihari Shahani
was behind the certain to make this Ahmednagar program a grand success.
3) Sri Rampur:- This town has
population of one and a quarter lakh which includes 1200 Sindhis. Most of them
have come here originally from Garhi Yasin city of Sindh and now they live in Sindhi
colony here. Their Panchayat’s name is “Sindhi Samaj Sri Rampur” whose
President is Shri Bhagwan Valecha and Secretary is Dr. Bharat Gidwani. Both
stay in ward No. 1 of Sindhi colony here. Most of them are in one or another
business. Among them there are 4 Doctors and 2 CA. They often meet one another
on happy and unhappy occasions and celebrate annual festivals. They take out
procession and arrange “Priti Bhojan” on the auspicious occasions of Chetichand
and Chaliha Sahib. They close their shops for a half day on last day of Chaliha
Sahib. They arrange “Akhand Path Sahib” and ‘Langar’ (joint food) for 3 days.
Wherein nearby Ten Thousand persons of the town take food. On the day of “Bhog
Sahib” i.e. 3rd and last day, they close down their shops for a half
day. Thus they mix up with the local masses. They have 2 Mandirs i.e. Jhulelal
Mandir and Sindhi Mandir in Sindhi colony. However they do not have any Sindhi
Dharamshalla here. They have prepared a directory of Sindhis of the town. The
town has worth seeing 2 gardens and one Gurudwara. The meeting of Sindhi Samaj
took place on the same date i.e. 9-10-2018 at 9 PM at Sindhi Mandir ward No. 1,
Sindhi Colony, wherein 32 members were present.
4) Shirdi: - This village town of
only 32000 Strength has become very famous pilgrimage place due to pious Temple
of “Sai Baba.” Ninety Sindhi families (nearby 500 members) stay here. They have
“Pujya Sindhi Panchayat” (President Shyamlal R. Thanwani, Ex P. Rameshlal Premani,
and Secretary Kanayalal Makhija). They do not have any Sindhi Dharamshalla.
However they have one Sai Jhulelal Mandir in Shivaji Nagar area. They are
mainly in business. One Sindhi Advocate is also here. On the occasion of
Chetichand and Chaliha Sahib, they take out procession and arrange “Langar” (joint
food). They close shops for half day only on Chetichand day. They also
celebrate other annual festivals such as “Akhand Tij”,”Lala Loi” and “Chand”
(moon) of every month. The visit of this village is incomplete without having a
Darshan of Sai Baba Mandir (under Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust). The meeting of
Pujya Sindhi Panchayat took place in Ex. President’s Hotel Guru Krupa on Nagar
Kripa Road on 10-10-2018 at 9 pm wherein 15 Members of Pujya Sindhi Panchayat
Shirdi as well as 11 members of nearby Copergaon Sindhi Panchayat were present
till mid night.
5) Copergaon: - This Tiny town of
80,000 strength is at the distance of 14 kms from Shirdi. 25 Sindhi families
(125 members) stay here. Shri Tulsidas Khubani is president and Shri Bhagchand
Sharma is Secretary of Pujya Sindhi Panchayat here. Shri Satish Bachumal
Krishnani is President of Pujya Jhulelal Trust. They do not have any
Dharamshalla. However in spite of being in minority, they are constructing a
Temple. They are united and meet often among themselves during happy and
unhappy occasions. They celebrate Chetichand festival since 1952 with dignity
wherein they take out procession in the town, arrange Priti Bhojan for all
Sindhi families and close their shops for full day. They also celebrate Ganesh
Chaturthi on a large scale since last 46 years so much so that they get best district
award since last 11 years. One Sindhi Doctor stays here. They have prepared Sindhi
Directory of town’s Sindhis. Kudos to these Sindhi Brothers who (11 persons)
attended the aforesaid Shirdi meeting on 10-10-2018 from 9 Pm to 12 midnight by
travelling 14kms.
6) Manmad: - The details of this
city have already been given by me which have been published 4 years ago in
these columns and which can be viewed on aforesaid website blog. However the
main changes are being given here. The name of new association is “Pujya
Jhulelal Sindhi Panchayat Seva Bhavi Sanstha.” (Regd. 15-1-2018). (President
Murlidhar Wadhwani, V.P. Dilipkumar Tejwani, Secy. Laxman Kaurani). Smt. Usha
Dilipkumar Tejwani is Municipal Councillor. The City’s population is one lakh
and a quarter. Sindhis have 100 families here. They do many social activities. Sindhi
Yuva Mandli serves food to sick and handicapped persons in their homes. The
merit students are awarded every year. Recently they have purchased big plot of
3000sq.feet where they are planning a big community Hall, Jhulelal Mandir,
rooms for staying and arranging other facilities. The meeting of both
associations took place on 11-10-2018 at 9.30 pm at Jhulelal Mandir, Phule
Chowk wherein 21 members were present.
7) Aurangabad: - The population of this
historical and ancient city is 15 lakh which includes 400 Sindhi families (1500
members). Many Sindhi associations are located here such as 1)Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat (ubavara) whose president is Shri Kalyandas Matra and
Secretary is Shri Shewakram Tolwani; 2) Pujya Sindhi Panchayat (P. Shri Raju
Seth Tanwani, secy. Shri Bharatbhai Nihalani) 3) Jhulelal Seva Samiti (founder
President abovementioned Shri Raju Seth
Tanwani) 4)Pujya Marathwada Sindhi Mahapanchayat ( P- Shri Kishanchand Tanwani,
secy. abovementioned Shri Kalyandas Matra), 5) Shahaganj Jal Ashram Seva Samiti
etc.
Here most of Sindhis (Like other those
of other cities) are engaged in one or other businesses, nearly 15% are in
services. There are 8 Doctors, 5 CA and 5 Advocates. In Sindhi colony, they
have 1) Sant Kanwar Ram Kutiya and Mandir, 2)Sindhu Bhavan (with good Jhulelal
Mandir) and Sindhi Seva Samiti Mandir with good staying arrangement. They also
have another Jhulelal Mandir (in shahaganj city area). T hey also celebrate
annual festivals on a grand scale. They take out “ Vahan Rally” on motor cycles
and close down their shops for whole day. Those who open their shops are fined
heavily. Hence no body opens shops on this auspicious day. They also arrange
‘Samuhik Priti Bhojan’ (joint food) on this day as well as on Guru Nanik
Jayanthi and Chailha Sahib. Many tourist attractions are located here. Such as ancient
Ellora Caves, Bibi Ka Makbara (like Taj Mahal of Agra’s shape), Aurangzeb’s
tomb, Jyotirling Shiva’s Temple etc. The joint meeting of ubavada Sindhi
Panchayat and Pujya Sindhi Panchayat,
Aurangabad took place on 12-10-2018 at 5 PM at shri Shivaji Sindhi Housing
Board, Sindhi colony wherein 16 members were present which included office
bearers of Sindhi Organizations of far and nearly cities of Beed, Paithan and
Selu.
8) Paithan: - This tiny town of
65000 strength is at a distance of 50kms from Aurangabad and it has no Railway
Station. Only 20 Sindhi families stay here. They do not have any Dharamshalla
or Temple. They have one Sant Kanwar Ram Seva Samiti (President Shyamlal L. Panjwani,
V. P. Rajkumar Rohira, and Secy. Ghanshyam Ahuja). In spite of being in
minority, they celebrate Chatichand festival on a grand scale. They take out
procession, distribute Prasad and use crackers throughout the procession till
they reach river for immersion of ‘Bahrana Saheb’. They also give rewards to
students and arrange Bhandara (joint food) on such occations. The Ladies
arrange the festivals of Guru Nanik Jayanti and Gokul Ashtami. They are quite united
and meet often on happy and unhappy occasions for which they have prepared a
whats App group. The worth seeing places here are Nath Sagar Dam, Eknath
Maharaj Mandir and sant Gyaneshwar udyan. The aforesaid information was
collected from abovementioned President Shri Shyam L. Panjwani when he attended
aforesaid Aurangabad meeting on 12-10-2018.
9) Beed: - This is Dist. Head
quarter city, having no Railway station at present. This city of 7 lakh
population is at a distance of 90kms from Jalna. The no. of Sindhi families
staying here is 55. They have one “sant Kauwar Ram Seva Samiti” (President Dr.
Madanlal Jeswami, secy. Jaiprakash Kalina). They take out procession, arrange
‘Priti Bhojan’ and close down their shops for the whole day on the auspicious
occasions of Guru Nanik Jayanti and Chetichand. They also celebrate other
annual festivals such as Sai Satramdas Jayanti, Sant Kauwar Ram Jayanti and
varsi etc. They have prepared a Sindhi Directory for Sindhis of the city. They
have one Sant Kauwar Ram Dharamshalla with Jhulelal Mandir. Here there are 4
Doctors, 2 C.A. and one advocate among Sindhis. The worth seeing spots are
Kapil Mahadev Mandir and Vaishno Mata Mandir. The aforesaid information was
collected from above mentioned President Dr. Madanlal Jeswami when he attended
aforesaid Aurangabad meetion on 12-10-2018 (which is 110kms away from his home
town Beed).
10) Selu: - This
small town of one and a quarter lakh population is at a distance of 40kms from
Parbhani. Only 55 Sindhi families (500 members) stay here. They have Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat (president is shri Ram Basantram Kukreja and secretory is Shri
Manoj Hariram Kanchani. His brother shri Mayaram Hariram Kanchani is a
social worker and In charge of HariDaya marriage bureau. They celebrate annual
festivals with great enthusiasm. They take out procession, arrange ‘Langar’
(joint food) and close down their shops for half a day on the occasions of Guru
Nanik Jayanti and Chetichand. They also celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Jahyanti,
Janmashtami, Swami Shantiprakash Jayanti, Diwali etc. They have a big mangal
Karyalaya with 5000sq.feet area wherein they do all ceremonies such as
marriages etc. They also have one Pujya Sindhi Panchayat Gurudwara (Mandir).
Among them, there are 2 Doctors, one Lecturer and some engineers. 10 persons
are in service and remaining all are engaged in various businesses. The worth
serving places are Baba Sahib Maharaja Temple (Guru of Shirdi Sai Baba) and 3
gardens. This report was collected from above mentioned Shri Mayaram Hariram
Kanchani when he attended aforesaid Aurangabad meeting on 12-10-2018 (which is
200kms away from his home town selu).
11) Jalna: - 250
worthy Sindhi families stay in this city of 3 Lakhs people here. Shri Sukhdev
Bajaj is President of Pujya Sindhi Panchyat. He is a great personality
associated with many social associations such as Secretary, Sindhi Shiksha and
Sahitya Sangat, Secreary M.G. Nathani High School and Jr. College, President
Sant Kanwar Ram mission, I/C Martimonial Centre etc. (which includes local
associations of the masses) which is a sign of Pride for Sindhis! The Vice
President and Secretary of Pujya Sindhi Panchayat respectively are Shri Nandlal
Talreja and Shri Kishore Dembla. Shri Girish Bajaj is incharge of Bharatiya
Sindhu Sabha. They have one Sindhi Dharamshalla with Temple in Sindhi Bazar.
They also have one “Dadi Deva Hall” in SSD garden. They are engaged in various
businesses. 5% are in service. They have 10 Doctors, 4 advocates and 2 CA among
them. They have one M.G. Nathani High School and Junior College and Primary
School with Hindi Medium under their management. However no Sindhi Subject is
tough here now. On behalf of Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat they have distributed murtis of Sai Jhulelal (with marble) in
each Sindhi home. Most of them also keep the photos of Sant Kanwar Ram at
their homes/shops. They celebrate annual functions properly. They take out
motor cycle rally on chetichand day and procession on the occasion of Chahiha
Sahib and Guru Nanik Jayanti. They arrange blood donation camp on Sant Kanwar
Ram Jayanti and Varsi. They also celebrate Holi. They arrange ‘Priti Bhojan’ on
all such festivals. The worth seeing places are Dat Ashram (in city), and Ambar
Matsoya Devi Mandir (25kms). The meeting of this Panchayat took place on
13-10-2018 at 9pm at Sindhi Mandir in Sindhi Bazar wherein 17 members were
present.
12) Parbhani: - This
is Dist. Head Quarter city with population of 4 Lakh which includes 100 best
Sindhi families (510 members) they have 2 associations 1) Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat (President Dilip Radhakrishin matra, Secy.Thakurdas Gurdasmal Gehi),
2) Sant Kanwar Ram Seva Mandal (P- Khubchand Manghwani, Secy. Sunil
Khairajani). Both association do social work in their own field as well as work
in co-ordination with each other and also celebrate annual festivels. They take
out procession on the noble occasions of Chatichand, Chaliha Sahib and Guru
Nanik Jayanti and arrange ‘Priti Bhojan’. They close down their shops for half
a day on Chetichand and Guru Nanik Jayanti. They get first pride in the city
every year since last 25 years in celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is a
matter of pride for Sindhi Community!
They have on Dharamshalla in wadgali
area. It was 2 rooms and 2 Halls and a Jhulelal Mandir. Most of them are in
business. Some of them are even owners of Hotels and Factories. Moreover 2
Doctors, 2 advocates and one CA are among them. They have prepared a Directory
for Sindhis of the city. They are very loving and hospitable so much so that 8
persons came to receive me at Jalna Railway Station! The worth seeing places
are Narsinh Bhagwan Mandir, Parleshwar Mandir Avandha Nagnath 8th Jyotirling Shiva’s Mandir, (40km) and ‘Tri
Dhara’ (3 rivers -15 km). The Panchayat runs matrimonial Centre also. The
meeting of both associations took place in Jhulelal Mandir on 14-10-2018 at 5pm
wherein 26 members were present which included 6 Ladies.
13) Nanded: - This pious city of Gurudwaras with Samadhi
of Guru Govind Singh has population of 6 Lakhs. 225 noble Sindhi families stay
here. Most of them stay in Sindhi Colony. Their association’s name is Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat (President Naraindas M. Rangwani, V.P. Dr. Prakash Nihalani and Secy.
Narendra n. Pamnani ). They are engaged in chief business of the city. 2
Doctors, 2 CA and one R.T.O. are among them. They are active in doing social
work particularly for the community. They have published Sindhi directry of Sindhis
of the city. The managing committee members work in co-ordination with one
another. They have Pujya Sindhi Panchayat Jhulelal Mandir Bahvan (regd.) having
7 rooms for staying. Further 19 rooms are under construction. Next to it is
Pujya Sindhi Panchayat Jhulelal Mandir which is the best mandir among whole
Marathwada Region. They also have Bhawandas Manghnani Sindhi Dharamshalla and Mangal
Karyalaya (at Venkateshnagar, Hingoli Gate). They celebrate annual festivels on
a grand scale. On Chetichand day they take out procession and close their shops
for whole day. They take out ‘Prabhat Pheri’ on Guru Nanik Jayanti. They also
celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali etc. and arrange ‘Priti Bhojan’ on all
festivals. Ladies sing Bhajans on the occasion of ‘Navratra’.
Here Shri Chandraprakash Lalwani and
Shri Pritamdas Khyani seen matrimonial centre with co-operation of Samadha
Ashram and Social Forum of Nagpur. Dr. Bharat Jethani a great artist of Bharat
Natyam stays here. He is also co-ordinator in cultural activities, Govt. of
India. Moreover above mentioned vice President Dr. Prakash Nihalani has
received PhD degree on the topic “The Contribution of Sindhi Community in
Development of Maharashtra”. Here worth seeing attractions are 17 Gurudwaras,
Kaleshwar Mandir, Vishnu Dam and Guru Gobind Singh’s Samadhi (at Gobind Baug, Sindhi
Colony) etc. The meeting of Panchayat took place on 15-10-2018 at 5 PM of Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat Jhulelal Mandir Bhavan, Bafna Road (near Sindhi Clolny) wherein
30 members were present including 4 ladies.
14) Hingoli: - This town has a population of two and a
half lakh with 22 Sindhi families (125 members). Their association’s name is
Pujya Sindhi Seva Samiti (President Kanayalal Udharam Nenwani, Secretary Dr.
Amar Ganwani). Shri Anil Rajkumar Nenwani is Mun. Corporator (congress). They
all are united and often meet among one another on happy and unhappy occasions
for which they have formed whatsApp group. They celebrate annual functions.
They take out procession and close down their shops for half a day on occasions
of Chetichand. They take out Prabhat pheri on Guru Nanik Jayanti. They arrange
Priti Bhojan on both these occasions. They own one Nirankari Bhavan on station
road from where they do all their social activities. 2 Sindhi Doctors stay
here. Nearly 90% are engaged in business and remaining are doing service. This
town is famous for Sant Namdev’s birth place and also for Avandha Nagnath 8th
Jyotirling Shiva’s temple (20k.m.). The meeting of abovementioned Samiti took
place in Nirankari Bhavan on 16-10-2018 at 12.30pm for a short period (as I had
to rush for meetings of Washim and Akola on the same day). 13 members were
present in the meeting.
15) Washim: - This tiny town of one and a quarter lakh census
have accomodated 175 Sindhi families (1000 members). Out of them 12 are
Doctors, 5 Advocates, 2 CA and one is Lecturer. The remaining are engaged in
one or an other business. The name of their association is Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat whose President is Shri Gokuldas Jivnani. His brother Shri Bhimkumar
Jivnani is President of “Namami Gange” (Washim district). The Later’s wife Smt.
Chanda Bhimkumar Jinvani is mun. corporator (BJP). They take much interest in
celebrating annual festivals. They celebrate Chetichand festivel for 3 days and
Guru Nanik Jayanti for 8 days. They take out procession and close down their
shops for whole day on both these auspicious occasions. They have one Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat Dharamshalla and one Sindhi Gurudwara (which they are still
developing by spending a lot of money) and 4 temples (2 of Sai Jhulelal, one of
Shankar Bhagwan and one of Sri Ramchandra). Moreover they have Anandpur Kutia,
Nirankari Bhavan and Radhasoami Satsang Hall. The town has Guru Nanik Market with 200 shops belonging to Sindhis
which is a matter of pride for Sindhi community. They normally stay in
Sindhi colony and Ishwari colony. They are united and meet very often on happy
and unhappy occasions. The 2nd meeting took place on same day i.e.
16-10-2018 at 5 Pm on behalf of Panchayat at Sindhi Gurudwara wherein 17
members were Present.
16) Akola: - Nine Lakh is strength of this city wherein
3000 brave Sindhi families (nearly 23000 members) stay. Nearly 90% of them stay
in Sindhi Colony and the remaining stay in Adarsh Colony and Nimari Camp. Out
of them 15 are Doctors, 12 Advocates, 12 CA, 3% in Services and remaining are
engaged in various businesses of the city. They have prepared Sindhi Directory
of the city. They have arranged many religious and social places which are
lacated mainly in Sindhi Colony. Such as Jhulelal Bhavan (including Mandir), SSD
Dham (with Mandir), Baba Hardasram Bhavan, Sant. Kanwar Ram Dharamshalla,
Anandpur Darbar, Hare Madhav Satsang Bhavan Baba Garibdas Darbar, Radhasoamy
satsang Hall (5 Acres), Nirankari Satsang Bhavan, Sant Asaram Bapu Kendra, Prem
Prakash Mandir (I/C Jyoti wadhwani Mob. No: 9561421755). In this manner here Sindhi Colony looks like a pilgrimage place!
Here Guru Nanik vidyalaya (High
School) and Junior College with English medium is managed by Sindhis wherein
2300 students take part, out of which 70% are Sindhis but unfortunately no
Sindhi subject is taught there. Their principal is Shri B. L. Virvani. Moreover
“Sindhu Senior Citizens Association (Happy Home)” is located in Adarsh Colony.
They have 400 members and do many activities such as spiritual journeys,
Dasahera Milan etc. Many annual festivals are arranged by Sindhi here. They
celebrate Chetichand for 8 days, Guru Nanik Jayanti and Chaliha Sahib for 2
days where in they take out procession and arrange ‘Bhandara’ (joint food) on
these occasions. They close their shops for half a day on Chetichand day. Shri
Harilal Kripalani manages “Adarash bahu udashaya sanstha” (Metrimonial Centre) on
behalf of “Jai Shiv Dhara Ashram”. Many
attractive places are located here such as Salazar museum, Talasar Ram Mandir
and abovementioned Sindhis’ religious places. They have 8 Sindhi Associations.
Above that is Pujya Sindhi General Panchayat whose President is Shri Kanayalal
Lekhrajmal Rangwani and Secretary is Shri Harish Banwarilal Parwani. The latter
is also secretary of Sindhu Senior Citizens Association, V.P. of Pujya Sukkur
Sindhi Panchayat and President of “Waheguru Seva Samiti”. The 3rd
meeting took place on the same date i.e. 16-10-2018 at 10pm on behalf of Pujya
Sindhi General Panchayat at Jhulelal Bhavan, Paki Kholi wherein 10 members were
present.
17) Shegaon: - This village of 80,000 populations is at a
distance of 50km from Akola. It includes 80 hard working Sindhi families (400
members). They have Pujya Sindhi Seva Mandal whose President is Shri Shyamlal
F. Kashilani. He is also Ex-President of Shegaon Nagar Nigam. Hence Sindhis get
good respect in this village. The Secretary of aforesaid Mandal is Shri Kishanchand
J. Gwalani. The President had built Sindhi Dharamshalla (near Rly. station) in
name of his parents which has been converted by him as F. M. Kashilani convent
English School. However no Sindhi subject is taught in this school. They have
one Sri Guru Nanik Darbar (I/C Mohanlal S. Das Matta) near Gajanand Maharaj
Mandir. There is one Sindhi Doctor and one Sindhi CA. This rest all are in
business. They take out procession and arrange ‘Bhandara’ (joint food) on the
occasions of Chetichand, Chaliha Sahib and Guru Nanik Jayanti. The worth seeing
places are Anand Sagar Garden and Gajanand Maharaj Mandir, Sindhis are united
here and they meet are happy and unhappy occasions. The meeting of aforesaid
mandal took place on 17-10-2018 at 5pm evening at Sri Guru Nanik Darbar wherein
16 members were present.
18) Khamgaon: - This tiny town has capacity of one and a
quarter masses. The no. of Sindhi noble families is 700 (2200 members). Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat has Hiranand nathani as President, Amit T. Nagrani as V.
President and Ashok Jaswani as Secretary. They have 3 Dharamshallas - Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat Dharamshalla, Pujya Bahavalpuri Panchayat Dharamshalla (with
mandir) and Sindhu Bhavan (which is still being developed). Their other
religious places are Jhulelal Mandir (in weekly Bazar), Mahadev Ma Vaishno Dham
Mandir, Anandpuri Kutia (4000sq.ft area) Radhasoami Dera, Nirankari Mandir, 2
Prem Prakash ‘Asthans’ etc. (all in Sindhi Colony).They have 4 Sindhi Doctors,
5 Advocates and one CA. 10 Persons are in service and remaining all are in various
business. One high quality Hotel (Guru Krupa Inn) is owned by a Sindhi (Mohan
Bhagyavani – where I stayed for a night as their guest). They take out
procession and arranges ‘Langar’ (Joint food) on the occasion of Chetichand and
Guru Nanik Jayanti. They put shutter on their shops for whole day on Chetichand
day. The meeting of Pujya Sindhi Samaj took place in their Dharamshalla on same
date i.e. 17-10-2018 at 9pm wherein 18 members were present which included many youngsters (which is a
healthy sign). Moreover 2 persons from nearby (15 km) Nandura town had also
attended this meeting.
19) Nandura: - In this tiny town of one Lakh census, kind
hearted 150 Sindhi families (700 members) stay here. Most of them stay in
Sindhi Colony. This town is at a distance of 15km from Khamgaon. Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat’s president is Shri Digambar Arjundas Ramchandani. He is also
president of Nandura Sindhi Urban society and he does so many social activities
in which he is assisted by his nephew Shri Deepak Rajkumar Ramchandani as well
as Shri Prakashlal Keshavdas Hargunani, secretary of the Panchayat. They have one
Sindhi Dharamshalla in Sindhi colony. Many religions places are owned by them.
Such as Baba Madhavdas Udasi Darbar, Sant Nirankari Bhavan (both in sindhi colony),
Anandpur Darbar (in sankalp colony, market). They take out procession, arrange
‘Bhandra’ (joint food) and close down their shops for whole day on the noble
occasion of Chetichand. They take out ‘Prabhat Pheri’ and arrange ‘Langar’
(joint food) on Guru Nanik Jayanti. They also celebrate Sant Kanwar Ram Jayanti
and Varsi and Guru Gobindsingh Jayanti. Three Sindhi Doctors and 6 Sindhi CA.
stay here. However there is no Sindhi Brahmin. They often meet together on
happy and unhappy occasions. Bada Hanuman Mandir (height 105 feet) along with
Balaji Sansthan are worth seeing places here. The meeting of Pujya Sindhi
Panchayat was cancelled here on 18-10-2018 due to Dasahara festival. However
abovementioned Deepak R. Ramchandani along with his cousin Prakash attended the
aforesaid meeting of Khamgaon, a day earlier i.e. on 17-10-2018 and the above
report was collected from them.
20) Malkapur: - This small town of one and a quarter
strength is at a distance of 30 km from Bhusawal. 300 kind hearted Sindhi families
(nearby 1800 members) stay here. Out of them 250 families stay in Sindhi colony
and remaining stay in the town area. They have one ‘Sindhi Samaj Seva Mandal’
whose president is Shri Ashoklal Rupchand Rajdev and secretary is Shri
Tarachand Paryani. Shri Mukesh Lalwani is mun. councillor (Shiv Sena). Shri
Naraindas nihalani is Ex Chairman Malkapur Nagarpalika and Vice President,
Urban Bank. Thus here Sindhis are caring
not only for our community but for local people also and therefore they command
good respect in the town. They own one “Smt. Khushibai Rajpal Sindhi Samaj
Seva Mandal Dharamshalla” in Sindhi colony. They also have 5 religions places
such as Sant Asharam Bappu Mandir, Nirankari Mandal, Radhasoamy Satsang Mandir,
Braham Kumaris Centre and Anandpur Darbar. They also celebrate annual festivals
nicely. On Chetichand day, they take out procession, arrange ‘Bhandara’ and
close shops for half a day. On occasion of Guru Nanik Jayanti, they take out
‘prabhat pheri’, arrange ‘Langar’ and close their shops for whole day. They
have 10 Doctors, one Advocate and 2 CA of Sindhi community. 20 persons are in
various services and the remaining are occupied with one or another business.
The attractive worth seeing places are Gurudwara Kadamsar Sahib (in Sangatwadi),
Gauri Shankar Mandir, Nalgandapur Dam (15km), Dubeshwar Mandir (at ‘sangam’ of
Tapti and Purna rivers). They meeting of Sindhi Samaj Seva Mandal took place at
aforesaid Dharamshalla on Dasahara day i.e. 18-10-2018 at 8 pm wherein 66 members were present which is a good
record. Moreover many youngsters
attended this meeting, which is a matter of pride!
21) Bhusawal: - This city of three and a half lakh census
has big railway Junction Station. Nearly 20000 Descent Sindhis stay here. Out
of that 85% of them stay in Nanik Nagar and remaining stay in the city area.
They have 2 associations 1) Pujya Sindhi Panchayat (P-Gokul Karda, Secretary
Sudhamadas Bathija, V.P- Ramesh Nagrami and Deepak Chandwani – (Editor of
Hindustan Best Samachar), 2) Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha (BSS) wherein Shri Denish
Dodani is ‘Sanyojak’, BSS Maharashtra state and Smt. Mamta Lalchand Chhabria is
in charge of ladies wing of BSS. They have 8 Sindhi Doctors, 5 CA, 2 Advocates
and 2 Parshads (Niki Batra Mob. no.9923252521 and Ramesh Nagrani Mob.
no.9371920781). Adarsh High School belonging to Sindhis has become Hindi medium
School where no Sindhi Subject is taught now. The attractive places are 2
gardens, Mathnoor Dam, Power Station (Deep Nagar). (the further information of
this city has been given by me in these columns in my previous trip of 1998
which can be viewed on my aforesaid website blog). Here 2 meetings took place
on 19-10-2018 one with youngsters at 4 pm wherein 13 members were present which
included 5 ladies. The second meeting took place at 7 pm on behalf of Pujya
Sindhi Panchayat at Baba Koturam Darbar, Anand Dham wherein 38 members were
present which included 3 ladies and 2 members had come from nearby Jamner
village (25kms away).
Note: - It is necessary to note that abovementioned
Shri Deepak Chandwani contributed a lot in success of 3 meetings of malkapur,
Bhusawal and Jalgaon by staying with me throught 3 days.
22) Jamner: - This
small village of 25000 population is at a distance of 25km from Bhusawal. Only
10 Sindhi families stay here. Being in minority, they have not formed any
association. Nor they posses any Dharamshalla or temple etc. they do not
celebrate any festival but always go to Bhusawal or Jalgaon for the same. They
are very much united and often meet together on happy and unhappy occasions.
They care and speak only in Sindhi at home and among themselves. They keep
photo of Sai Jhulelal at their shops and all of them are well of financially.
Here shri Anil Lalchand Chandnani is the only Sindhi member of G.M. Foundation
having 150 members. This foundation helps patients financially in hospitals of
Mumbai. This gentleman along with Laxmichand Dudani attended aforesaid Bhusawal
meeting on 19-10-2018 and both of them gave the aforesaid details of Jamner
Sindhis.
23) Jalgaon: - The
detailed report of this city has already been given in these columns in my
previous trip of 1998 which can be viewed on my aforesaid website blog. However
major changes are mentioned here. The present population of city is 8 lakh. The
no. of beautiful Sindhis is 25000. Now they have formed central Sindhi
Panchayat whose President is Shri. Mukesh Tekwani. He is also President of
Pujya Larkana Sindhi Panchayat. The Presidents of other Sindhi Panchayats are
shown here in brackets. Jocobabad Panchayat (Brijlal Menghwani), Amar Shaheed
Sant Kanwar Ram Trust (Ramesh R. Mattani), Sindhi Panchayat, ‘Shahar’ (Sitaldas
Javaharani), Bahavalpuri Panchayat (Ashokkumar Mandhani). Shri Sanjay K. Hirani
is secretary of BSS Maharashtra state. The meeting of central Sindhi Panchayat
was cancelled here since all were busy in preparation of celebration of coming
annual festival in October month. However abovementioned Shri Sanjay K. Hirani
arranged 2 meetings on same day i.e. 20-10-2018. One at 7 Pm with “Sindh Ki
Kaliyan” ladies group at Mohali road wherein 23 ladies were present. Other
meeting took place at 10 Pm at Baba Hardasram Bhavan wherein 5 youngsters were
present. The famous attractive Ajanta caves are hardly 50kms away from here.
24) Pachora: - This small town of
Seventy Thousand people is on the Central Railway between Jalgaon and Chalisgaon wherein 350 Pious
Sindhi families (3000 members) stay. Most of them stay in Sindhi Colony. 12
Sindhi families stay in Bazar area. They have 6 Sindhi associations here. Some
of them are Nagrani Sindhi Panchayat (P-Motumal Nagrani ), Mangatram Sindhi
Panchayat (P-Kundandas), Navjeevan Seva Mandal (V.P. Vinodkumar Lalvani,
Riyasati Sindhi Panchyat (P-Jairamdas Keswani) etc. In addition they have one
Pujya Sindhi General Panchayat whose President is also Jairamdas Keswani. Ram
J. Keswani is Nagar Sevak. They have 2 Sindhi Dharamshallas – Pujya Riyasti
Sindhi Dharamshalla along with Jhulelal Mandir and other belonging to Navjeevan
Seva Mandal with Shiva’s Mandir. Both are in Sindhi Colony. They have 3 Sindhi
Mandir – Thahiryasingh Darbar, Metharam Darbar and Mohan Dham. They are engaged
mainly in business, 2% of them are in service. They have 3 Doctors, 2 CA and
one Advocate of the Community. They are financially so so. They celebrate
annual functions properly. On the occasion of Chaliha Sahib, 100 persons remain
on fasting for 40 days during day time and arrange ‘Bhandara’ (joint food)
during night time. They take out procession on the last day and close their
shops for half a day. On Chetichand day also they take out procession and close
down their shops for whole day. Moreover they also celebrate Mahashivratri, ‘Varsis’
of Sant Thahiryasingh and sant Metharam etc. From here also Ajanta caves are at
a distance of 50 km. The meeting of all associations took place on 21-10-2018
at 12 Noon at Jhulelal Mandir, Sindhi colony wherein 17 members took part.
25) Chalisgaon: - The detailed report of this city has
already been given in these columns in my previous tour of 1998 which can be
viewed in my abovementioned website blog. However some main changes are
enumerated here. At present 375 worthy Sindhi families stay here. Out of them
10 are Doctors, one CA and two are Advocates. Previously Indira Gandhi High
School had Sindhi medium of instruction. However now leave apart Sindhi medium,
even Sindhi subject is not taught as one of the subjects. Shri Arjundas Vaswani
Ex. President of Mirpur Sindhi Panchayat, a medical social worker who used to
help Sindhi patients financially and arrange their admission in big hospitals
of Mumbai is no more. Shri Bhojraj Punshi is now President of Mirpur
Sindhi Panchayat, the remaining office bearers are same. This city is famous
for Patna Devi’s Mandir, Bhaskaracharya’s birth place. Shri J.K. Moose the
second top most Painters in the world used to stay here. Ramdev Baba’s temple
is also located here wherein a big mela is celebrated every year. The meeting
of Sindhi General Panchayat and Mirpur Sindhi Panchayat took place on same date
i.e. 21-10-2018 at 9.30 pm at Indira Gandhi High School wherein 25 members took
part.
26) Dhule: - This
city has population of 6 lakh. 950 Nice Sindhi families stay here. Out of this
600 families stay in Kumar Nagar (sakri road), 200 families in plot area, 12
families in city and remaining families in other areas. They have 8 Sindhi
Doctors, 3 Advocates and 3 are CA. Some are teachers and a few are in service.
The remaining all are engaged in one or other business and they are on the
whole well off financially. They have 7 associations. Main is 1) Sindhi General
Panchayat whose president is Gulshan Udasi (and his wife Kashish is Municipal
Councilor). Secretary is Durukumar Lakhwani. He is also secretary of Bhagwan
Jhulelal Trust. 2) Sri Ram Panchayat (President Anil Dodeja), 3)Ladkana Sindhi
Panchayat (P- Santosh Dodani), 4)Ghotki Panchayat (P- Mohandas Harwani),
5)Gembat Panchayat (P- Lekhraj Mewani), 6)Pujya Bahavalpuri Panchayat (P-
Kishore Relhan, Secy. Ravindra Kalra) 7)Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha (BSS) (P- Suresh
Dandwani). All associations are working in their fields and with co-ordination
with one another. They also celebrate annual festivals. They take out
procession and close their shops for half a day on the occasion of Chetichand
and Chaliha sahib. They take out ‘Prabhat Pheri’ on Guru Nanik Jayanti. They
arrange ‘Priti Bhojan’ on all such occasions. They manage one Sindhi High
School (named “Sindhu Ratna”) in which 600 students are participating. Out of
them 200 students are Sindhis for whom
learning of Sindhi Subject with any of 2 scripts is compulsory. This is a good
example which should be followed by Sindhis of other cities. The chairman
of this school is Shri Suresh Kundnani, a dedicated worker and Maharashtra
state mantri of BSS. They have published a directory of city’s Sindhis
They have built many Sindhi
Dharamshallas. Practically every Sindhi Association has its own Dharamshalla. They
have many religious places. Such as Swamy Teoonram Mandir (I/C Sant Dilip kumar
Mob: - 9209986921), Baba Jugatram Darbar, Anandpur Darbar, Godriwala Dham, S. S.
Dham, Bhai Mangatram Darbar, Radhaswami Satsang Hall (Dera), Sant Nirankari
Bhavan, Bhagwan Jhulelal Mandir and its opposite Sindhu Bhavan (with good
staying arrangement) etc. All these Dharamshallas and religious places are
located in kumar nagar. While passing
through such places one feels that one is passing through mini Sindh! Here the
worth seeing places are 2 gardens, Nakani Talao (sakri road), Panjra River and
a famous Gurudwara. Two meetings took place here on 22-10-2018 at 1pm in Sindhu
Ratna High School with Sindhi lady teachers wherein 12 members were present.
Other meeting at 9 PM at Bhagwan Jhulelal Mandir Trust Hall wherein 41 members
were present (30 members of Sindhi General Panchayat and 11 members of Jhulelal
Sindhi Seva Mandal who had come all the way from Shirpur town which is at a
distance of 60 kms from Dhule).
27) Shirpur: - As
already mentioned this small town is at a distance of 60kms from Dhule. It has
total population of 85000 only. The no. of Sindhi attractive families is 100
(500 members). This no. includes 100 Bahavalpuris also. The association’s name
is “Shri Jhulelal Sindhi Seva Mandal (Regd.)” (P- Anil Awatram Kataria, V.P.
Girdharilal Tejaram Bhashani and Secretary Rajkumar Satramdas Aswani). They are
fully united, work in co-ordination and often meet among one another on happy
and unhappy occasions. They love Sindhyat so much so that their 11 members had
attended aforesaid Dhule meeting on 22-10-2018 from 9 to 11 pm by travelling
60kms at late night hours. They have 2 Doctors, 5 persons in service and
remaining are in various businesses. They take out procession and close down
their shops for half a day on the noble occasions of Chetichand and Chaliha
sahib. They take out Prabhat Pheri on Guru Nanik Jayanti. They also arrange
‘Bhandara’ on the occasion of all festivals. They posses one Shri Jhulelal
Sindhi Seva Mandal Dharamshalla in Lal baug area and one Shri Jhulelal Mandir
at vijay stambh area. The worth seeing places in the town are 2 Balaji Mandir s and a garden.
28) Amalner: - 450 wise Sindhi families (2500 members) stay
in this town of one and a half Lakh people. Out of these 900 members stay in
the town area and remaining 1600 stay in Guru Nanik Nagar, Sindhi colony which
is at a distance of 3km from the town. They have 2 Panchayats 1) Pujya Sindhi
General Panchayat, Sindhi colony (P- Govindram Hiranand Ahuja, Secretary
Arjundas P. Nagdev), 2) Sindhi Samaj, Shahar (Regd.) (P- Shyamlal Gurdasmal
Lulla, Secy. Premchand Pahlajrai Sainani). They have 3 Dharamshallas 1) Pujya
Sindhi General Panchayat Dharamshalla, 2) Shivalaya Old Sindhi Dharamshalla
(Both at chopra road, Sindhi colony), 3) Sindhi Housing Society Hall belonging
to Sindhi Samaj, ‘Shahar’ at station road in the town area. They have Bhai
Ludhdiasingh Darbar in the town area and remaining religions places are located
in Guru Nanik Nagar, Sindhi colony such as Jhulelal Mandir, Mataji Mandir,
Shivalaya, Anandpuri Darbar, Radhasoami Satsang Hall, Nirankari Satsang Hall,
and 2 Gurudwaras. On Guru Nanik Jayanti they arrange 2 Programs and Bhandaras
at both places i.e. in Sindhi colony during day time and in the town during
night time by Jai Jhulelal Social Group. Chetichand is also celebrated on both
places and they close down their shops for half a day. They also take out procession
on both these festivals as well as on Chaliha Sahib. They also celebrate other
festivals such as Navratra, Mahashivaratri, varsis etc. they arrange ‘Katha’
(Satsang) and breakfast for 15 days during the month of Kartik. They have 2
Sindhi Doctors and 2 CAs. Mostly they are in business. Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha
has branch in this town whose President is Shri Motiram Ramchandra Hinduja
(Bappu). Here the tourist places are Mangal Griha Mandir and Amba Rishi Takri.
The meeting of Pujya Sindhi General Panchayat took place on 23-10-2018 at 8 pm
at Sindhi Dharamshalla, Sindhi Colony wherein 17 members were present.
29) Dondaicha: - One
Lakh people stay in this town, including 350 good Sindhi families who stay in
Sindhi Colony. They have Pujya Sindhi General Panchayat. Shri Pahlajrai Makhija
is its President and Shri Jaikumar P. Chainani is Secretary. Shri. Kishinchand
T. Dodeja is Vice President. He runs matrimonial centre also. His wife Gitabai
Dodeja is chairperson in water supply Dept. of Dondaicha Nagar Parishad. Almost
all are in various business activities. Hardly 2% are in service. They have 2
Sindhi Doctors, 3 Advocates and 2 CA. They have one Sindhi Dharamshalla in
Sindhi Colony, Shahada road. They have built many religious places in Sindhi
Colony such as Neelkantheshwar Mahadev Mandir, Judyaram Darbar, Madhavdas
Darbar, Godriwala Dham, Jhulelal Mandir, Swami Lila shah Mandir, Sri Krishin
Mandir, Sri Ram Mandir, Mataji Mandir, Sindhi Gurudwara, Prem Kutia Satsang
Hall etc. They also celebrate annual festivals nicely. On the occasions of
Chetichand, Chaliha Sahib and Guru Nanik Jayanti, they take out procession,
arrange Bhandara and close down their shops for whole day. They also celebrate
Mahashivaratri, Navratra, Janmashtami, Baba Hardasram Jayanti, Baba Madhavdas’s
and Baba Judiaram’s Varsis etc. Thus they have been preserving our rich culture
and sanskriti. Many attractive tourist spots are located here. Such as Trang
Kheda Dam, Malpur Dam Raval garhi, Shanti Dham Om Shanti (Braham Kumaris), Dada
wadi Jain Mandir, Dondaicha bridge and aforesaid religious places of Sindhi
Colony. The meeting of Pujya Sindhi General Panchayat took place on 24-10-2018
at 9 pm at Godriwala Dham, Sindhi Colony wherein 38 members took part.
30) Nandurbar: -
Quarter to two Lakh is population of this city. One thousand families of
hardworking Sindhis (7000 members) stay here. They have 5 following
associations. (Their Presidents names are shown in brackets). 1) Pujya Ladkana
Sindhi Panchayat (Nanikran B. Gurbaxani), 2)Pujya Riyasat Sindhi Panchayat (
Naranindas K. Wadhwa), 3) Upper Sindh Panchayat (Shankar H. Talreja), 4)Pujya
Bubak Sindhi Panchayat (Shyamlal H. Chanchlani), 5)Pujya Sindhi General
Panchayat (P- above mentioned Naraindas wadhwa, V.P. above mentioned Shyamlal
H. Chanchlani). Each association is doing a lot of social work in its own field
and celebrates annual functions in co-ordination with one another. So much so
that some office bearers of their associations are common as mentioned above.
They mainly stay in old and new Sindhi colony, Guru Nanik Nagar, Ganpati Nagar
and Shikshak colony areas. They are mainly engaged in business line as in case
of Sindhis of other cities. They have 3 Doctors and 2 CA. One of them (Santosh
Nankani CA) has secured 3rd rank in recent all India competition.
They take out procession and arrange Bhandara on the occasion of Chetichand,
chaliha Sahib and Guru Nanik Jayanti. They close down their shops for whole day
on Chetichand. They also celebrate Mahashivratri and every month’s Moon day
etc. Larkana, Riyasat and upper Sindhi Panchayats have built Sindhi
Dharamshallas for all.
They
have built many religious places such as temples in names of Baba Koturam, Baba
Judiaram, Baba Garibdas, Thakur Ghanshyamdas, Bhai Khimyadas. In addition they
have built Jhulelal Mandir, Radhasoami satsang Hall, Nirankari Mandal,
Sachidanand Kutia and Swami Teoonram Mandir. (This is in old Sindhi Colony- I/C
Shyamlal Rajani mob: 8888663858). The worth seeing places are C.B. Garden and water
park. 2 Sindhi Parshads stay here – Shri Shaturgun Balani (Mob: 9881147736) and
Shri Rakesh Hassani (Mob: 9552597722). The meeting of all associations took
place on 25-10-2018 from 8 pm to 11 pm at Larkana Sindhi Panchayat Dharamshalla
wherein 45 members took part.
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN MEGHALAYA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHILLONG (1989)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN NEPAL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KATHMANDU (April 1997)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN ORISSA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bhubhaneshwar (1995)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very interesting blog im very impress. So take a look at my weblog: Best Outfits Toronto
ReplyDeleteVery useful article information on urli. Thanks for sharing. From urli online
ReplyDeleteIndian Online Shopping website