Tour report
of Sindhis staying in 8 cities of
Gujarat
( 08-11-2011
to 15-11-2011)
Published in (1) “Akhand Sindhu Sansar” (Dev) (partly)
(monthly), Jan and Feb 2012 (2) “Samvad Sindhi”, Aug 1-15, 2012 (3) “Hindu” (Sindhi)
(daily) dt. Dec 9-10-11-21-27-28, 2011 and Jan 6, 2012
Recently I got the
nice opportunity to meet important Sindhis living in 8 cities/towns of Gujarat.
They were good enough to arrange long meetings of Sindhis at a short notice on
my request, for promoting our ancient culture, language and Sanskriti as well
as for getting legitimate political and other rights from the Central Govt. & for boosting the
morale of the Community. Moreover, Sindhi , National and Spiritual literature
was distributed. There was good enthusiasm, a great love and affection and a red carpet treatment
was extended to me everywhere too much to be described here. It is rare in big
cities like Mumbai. Moreover it surpasses the discomforts of travelling long
sojourns in Rly. Sleeper class (even sometimes w/o reservation) & getting
irregular outside food. The readers can
themselves verify by taking such sojourns.
One particular
point which was noticed everywhere, was that the Murtis of Bhagwan Jhulelal are
normally kept in all Sindhi’s shops / offices or homes for preserving Sindhi
identity. However wherever these Murtis were in short quantity, they promised to keep the same in their premises
in near future. The other point worth noting
was that leaving apart Sindhi
Schools, even Sindhi subject is not being taught (except Vadodara and Nadiad)
in these towns/ cities which is
disheartening. Of course they mainly speak in Sindhi among themselves
and at home with some Gujarati words on their tongue. (particularly in small
towns & business people) & thus they have contributed to a great extent
in preserving our rich culture & language , which is a heartening point. However they are forgetting
Arabian Script day by day & only 10% know this script at present. They have cordial relations with
local people and command good respect
among them particularly when they are mainly in business and in some
cities they have a grip on main trades of the
city and they are mostly well off. The names and mobile nos. of
attendees in these meetings were noted in each city. The further report of each
city in a nut shell is as under:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GODHRA (Nov 8-9,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total
strength in this town is quarter to two lakhs
including 15000 Sindhis. The town has 2
Sindhi Panchayats namely, “Uttar Sindhi Panchayat” (President Shri.
Gordhandas K. Tulsiani) and “ Ladi Lohana Sindhi Panchayat” (President Shri.
Kishorilal Bhayani). In addition there is one Central Panchayat namely “ Godhra
Sindhi Samaj” whose President is same
Shri. Kishorilal Bhayani. These Panchayats do many social and cultural
activities and celebrate annual festivals in co-operation with one an other. They have one “Jhulelal Sindhi Dharamshalla”
along with Temple near old bus stand. An other Dharamshalla with Jhulelal
temple is situated at Civil Lines Panjrapol. In addition, they have two “Swami
Shantiprakash Satsang Halls”, one of these is situated near Yogeshwar Society at Bhuravav Road. They celebrate
“Chetichand” with a big procession with “Jhankies” and joint “Priti Bhojan”.
Moreover on other auspicious days like annual Guru Nanik Jayanti and monthly
“Ganesh Choth” also they arrange such Joint Priti Bhojan.
One
important point which was noticed in this town is that they have strong bonds
of Unity (particularly in Ladi Lohanas). They are prepared to sacrifice their
life for one another, so much so that other communities do not dare to
challenge them ( particularly after 2002 Godhra train riots). Shri. Haresh
Dubey of Sindhi Council of India rightly puts it in his book (Political rights of Sindhis) “who says there is no unity among Sindhis?” Our community should
adopt this virtue of
these people. However it was seen that Ladi Lohanas do not
have matrimonial connection with other sindhis for which they were
requested to mix up with all Sindhis
in matrimonial matters also. They were also advised to issue their
panchayat circulars in Devanagiri Sindhi instead of Gujarati language in order
to preserve our ancient and precious Sindhi language. 40 members were present
in the meeting at Swami Shantiprakash
Hall at night on 08-11-2011 and 16 youngsters were present on the next day in early morning meeting on 09-11-2011 at the residence of
President Shri. Gordhandas K. Tulsiani.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VADODARA (Nov 9,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This beautiful
City is called “Garden city of Gujarat”. Its population is 16 lakhs which includes nearly
quarter to two lakh Sindhis. Hardly 20%
of them Know Arabian Script. Nearly 60% of them speak in Sindhi among
themselves and at home. The remaining
persons speak in Gujarati. Most of them stay in Sant Kanwar nagar. Here
various Sindhi associations are doing various social and cultural activities in
their own field such as 1) Sindh Sahit Sabha (Regd) (President Haresh
Jethmalani) 2) Jai Jhulelal Sindhi
Seva Trust ( President Asumal
Pahilwani) 3) Shri. Jhulelal Sahib
Mandal ( President Gopaldas
Sohanda) 4) Baroda Sindhi Central Panchayat (President- Hiro
Lalwani ) 5) All Gujarat Sindhi
Association (President – Udharam Golani) , 6) Alkapuri Sindhi Association
(President – Hargobind Lulla), 7) Baroda
North Sindhi Association (President Rup Hingorani ) , 8) Sant Kanwarram Seva Mandal ( Secretary – Hargundas P.
Tejwani) etc.
There
are many Sindhi Dharamshallas with temples particularly in Sant Kanwar Nagar.
Such as Sant Satramdas, Sant Saroopdas , Sai Leela Shah Dharamshalla with
temple Mira Krishin Mandir, Sai Dharam Darbar. In addition there is famous Swami Teoonram Premprakash Ashram in
the charge of Sant Shri. Ashok Prakash. Many melas of Sindhi saints are
celebrated here. This Ashram has good
facility of logging and boarding for visiting Sindhi
families. In addition, the city has
Karamchandani and Hingorani Sindhi Dharamshallas, Alkapuri Sindhi Hall
in Alkapuri built by Alkapuri Sindhi Association , Sindhi Geeta Gyan Bhavan in
India Bazar, Sukhi Kutir at R.V. Desai Road etc. Moreover there is one “Hari
Shewa Girls Vidyalaya (School) for
Sindhi boys and girls in Sant Kanwar Nagar, with Sindhi medium of Instruction
only from VIII to XII standard, (which indicates that Sindhi medium arrangement
will end after 4 years !)
They
celebrate many annual festivals particularly Chetichand and Chaliha Sahib by
taking joint food together. They view weekly Sindhi T.V. programmes on D.D.
Girnar etc and are very eagerly
awaiting the inauguration of 24 hours
Sindhi T.V. channel. They have published a directory of Sindhi’s of Vadodara. The City has many worth seeing
tourist spots such as Sayaji Garden, Museum, Zoo, Laxmi Vilas palace etc. and hence this city is rightly
called as “Kala nagiri”. Here 22 members were present in the evening meeting ,
at the residence of Shri. Haresh Jethmalani on 09-11-2011 some of them namely
S/Shri Udharam Golani, Purshottam Hemnani, Haresh Jethmalani , Murlidhar
Bhojwani, Mohan Rohira, Smt. Bharati Kevalramani (Retrd. Principal) etc. gave
their useful views in the interest of the Community.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANAND (Nov 10,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total capacity
of this town is 3 lakhs which includes
600 Sindhis families ( 3500 persons) 75%
of them speak in Sindhi among themselves & balance speak in Gujarti. Nearly 10 % of them
(elders) know Sindhi Arabian Script. They have one Puj Anand Sindhi Panchayat
whose president is Shri. Ashokkumar Ailani , Vice President Shri. Mahesh V.
Paryani & Secretary is Shri. Lachhmandas Ukani. They do many Social
activities together. They have 2 Sindhi Dharamshallas, namely Guru Nanik Sindhi
Dharamshalla along with temple at Sant Kanwar Colony, Guru Nanik Society,
behind C.P College, and Sindhu Bhavan, near Sukhod Talao, Jawahar colony. Both
places are near to each other. Most of the Sindhis stay in these areas
(including Jhulelal Society). Some of them stay in another Jawahar Colony near
Tulsi cinema. They celebrate annual functions on a large scale. On Chetichand
they take out big procession with Jhankis of Gods in the town during day time and arrange
joint food in the evening wherein prizes are given to merit candidates.
They also arrange “Langar” (Bhandara) on Guru Nanik Jayanti during day time and
arrange cultural programme during night time. I also got opportunity to attend
this programme on this auspicious day ( 10-11-2011), at Guru Nanik Society. At
least 1000 persons attended this programme each time i.e. during day and night
and hence no separate official meeting
could take place with 23 official bearers and other members of Sindhi Panchayat for want of time, but
information was exchanged and get
together was made with them during course of these programmes. There are many worth seeing
temples in this town such as those of Swami Narayan, Sai Baba, Hanuman,
Panchmurti, Gayatri & Sant Jalaram etc. temples. the Anand Amul Diary is
also very famous throughout India.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NADIAD (Nov 11,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town
accommodates 2 lakh persons, wherein 1200 Sindhi families ( nearly 7000
persons) also stay. They have powerful
& reputed “Nadiad Shahar Sindhi
Samaj” whose president is Shri. Kumar Menghraj Tahiliani. He is also Managing
Director of a big co. named Asian
Food Industries. Shri. Pessumal Keswani is Vice President and Shri. Murlidhar
Artwani is their Secretary. They are doing many social and cultural activities.
They have 3 Sindhi Dharamshallas along
with temples namely Jhulelal Mandir, Sant Kanwar Ram Satsang Hall and Jhulelal
Society & Mandir. All these have a good arrangement for marriage purposes. 90% of them speak in
Sindhi among themselves and at home. Nearly 10% of them know Sindhi Script
Shri. Premchand Lakhiani is Editor of “Sindhi
Bhasha Weekly” in Sindhi (Arabian) script. There is one Sindhi School here wherein one Sindhi Subject is taught from VIII to X Standard (which means this subject will continue for 3 years only
!). They take out a big procession on
the auspicious occasion of Chetichand ending in Bhandara (Jt. Food) They also
celebrate Moon and Umasa every month. They arrange cultural programme on Sant
Kanwar Ram’s Varsi & Guru Nanik Jayanti. Santram temple of this town
is very famous in whole of Gujarat, wherein medical help is
also given to needy persons. Mai Mata’s Temple is an other attraction. They
arranged a meeting on my request at
Jhulelal Mandir ( 11-11-11) which broke all previous records in total
attendance length of time and No. of
speakers. More than 150 persons attended which included not only residents of this town but also
neighbouring areas of entire Kheda
distt. Such as Mohamedabad ( 9 persons under Leadership of Babulal and
Bhagwandas), Kapronj (Shri. Chetandas Mukhi), Kathlal ( Mukhi Kishinchand),
Dacor (Mukhi Pitamberdas), Mahod, Umrath, Thasra etc. The entire Hall at 1st
floor was full to capacity. A good no. of persons gave their inspiring views
about betterment of Sindhi Community, which included Shri. Kumar Tahiliani,
Dharamdas Tahiliani, Tarachand Motiani, Premchand Lakhiani, Kishorbhai , Mohan
Rohira etc. The Sindhis of this town are united and help one an other Shri.
Kumarbhai Tahiliani was elected as President of Sindhis of entire Kheda distt.
in this meeting. Shri. Murlidhar Artwani–Secretary, had arranged everything
nicely for this unforgettable meeting which ended with light repushments
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHARUCH (Nov 12,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this town
of 2 ½ lakh strength, nearly 2000
Sindhis (250 families) stay here. 60% of them speak in Sindhi in their
community and the remaining speak in Gujarati language. Nearly 10% of them can
read and write Sindhi Script. They had one Sindhi School till the year 2007 but
now Sindhi language is taught during night hours twice a week with the efforts
of NCPSL. They have 2 Panchayats namely, 1) Chhaproo Sindhi Panchayat
(President Murlidhar M. Haryani, Secretary- Narain Bhojwani), 2) Industrial
Sindhi Panchayat (Co-ordinators- Ramesh U. Thanwani &Naresh N. Thanwani )
Both Panchayats are doing Social activities in Co-ordination with each other.
They arrange Priti Bhojan on annual festivals of Chetichand, Chaliha Sahib, Guru Punam and on
monthly Moon day. 60 members of these Panchayats meet together in every quarter
of the year. They do not have any Sindhi Dharamshalla but they are very anxious to get the same. They have 2 Jhulelal
Temples- One at Nav Chowki in Obra Chakala Bazar and the other on the Bank of
Pious Narbada river were in Chetichand day is celebrated on a larger scale with
a big procession which is also attended
by many Sindhis of Mumbai , Ahmedabad etc. They have invited a Sindhi Brahman
from outside of town and have arranged for his residential accommodation also
for preserving Sindhi Sanskriti. They are United (particularly Chhaproos). They
have do not have any matrimonial connection with other Sindhis. They were
pressed to have such connection with all Sindhis particularly when most of them
are born in India. 18 members were present in the meeting here at Sindhunagar
Hall, Sindhunagar Society on 12-11-2011 which included 2 members i.e. Shri.
Murlidhar Bhojwani and Shri. Hargundas Tejwani from Vadodra who inspired all
members in the meeting by giving their useful views regarding betterment of
Sindhi Community. Shri. Ramesh Thanwani suggested that Sindhis should get
benefits of agriculture land from Govt. of India as many Sindhis were Land lords and farmers in Sindh
before partition. Shri. Jawahar Varliani
, Mohan Rohira and others also gave their views. Here Kabirwad, Chader Sahib
Gurudwara, Jhulelal Temple, Swami Narayan temple, Nilkanth temple and Nareshwar
Temple etc. (all on Narbada River) are worth seeing places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURAT (Nov 13,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The population of
this beautiful and large city is 45
lakhs which includes 1 lakh population of Sindhis Hardly 10% of them know
Sindhi Script. Inspite of so many Sindhis, Unfortunately they do not have any arrangement for teaching Sindhi (any
Script) as one of the subjects- leave alone Sindhi school ! of course NCPSL has arranged Sindhi classes in Ramnagar area, where
many Sindhis are staying. There are various Sindhi Panchayats , Mandals,
Ashrams and associations etc. here. The main Panchayat is “Puj Surat Sindhi
Panchayat” whose President is Shri. Deepchand V. Goplani & Secretary is
Shri. Pratapsingh Kamlani. They have total 39 working committee members
(including office bearers) who are
divided in 7 wards of different areas of
the city. They have a strong constitution and 6 committees and they are doing
wonderful social activities such as rewarding merit students in Quiz
competition, rewarding and paying fees for merit and needy students upto 5 lakh
rupees every year arranging annual functions in co-ordination with other
organizations etc. They have also prepared a nice telephone directory of all the Sindhi families of Surat. Their
office is Situated at Sindhu Bhavan,
Timliyavad, Nanpura, Surat. The other Sindhi Associations include Ladi Lohana
Sindhi Panchayat , Surat Sindhi Punjabi Central Panchayat, Sindhi cloth Merchants
Association Sindhu Seva Samiti, Ladi Lohana Yuvak Mandal, Lila Shah Seva Samiti
and Mandal , Lok seva Mandal, Sant Kanwar Ram Seva Mandal etc. Moreover there
are many such Sindhi organizations,
Temples, Dharamshallas etc. such as Swami Teoouram Asharam ,Daya Sagar Seva
Mandal, Nij Dham Ahsram , Shri. Lal Sai Sindhi Seva Trust, Shri. Shiv
Shankar Seva Mandal, Sindhu Samaj
Bhavan, Swami Lila Shah Bhavan etc. All these associations and Ashrams have
their own good office bearers and workers and they are doing many praise worthy
social , cultural and religious activities in their different fields. Some
years back a new Prem Prakash Ashram is nicely built by Swami Brahmanand
Shastri in City light area. Nearly 8000 Sindhis take Priti Bhojan (joint food)
here on Chetichand day after having a big procession in the city. Like vise a
big procession is also taken out from here in the month of Kartik and also on
the occasion of Swami Teoouram Jayanti. The City has many tourist attractions such as Sai Centre, Ocean
Beach, Tapti river, Spiritual Ashram of Sant
Ahsram Bappu in Jahangirpura etc. Total 28 persons were present in the
meeting at Sindhu Bhavan which was arranged by Puj Surat Sindhi Panchayat on
13-11-2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAVSARI (Nov 14,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town has 3
Lakh people and 6000 Sindhis. They
normally residing at Guru Nanak Nagar, Pritam Nagar, Sant Kanwar Ram Sindhi Society and Shahar Area. They have
3 Sindhi Panchayats namely 1) Guru Nanak Sindhi Panchayat (President –
Managhandas M. Kanjani, Vice Present – Premchand Lalwani, Secretary –
Rameshbhai Hirani), 2) Sindhi Panchayat, Sant Kanwar Ram Sindhi society
(Present – Ashokkumar K. Balwani , Secretary – Santoshkumar Lotani) This
Panchayat has 22 families. 3) Sindhi Panchayat , Shahar (President- Dasbhai
Budhrani, Secretary – Vijay Chotani Advocate). This Panchayat has 30 families.
All these 3 Panchayats do many social
& cultural activities in their own field and also celebrate annual Melas
and other functions in co-ordination with each other. They were advised to start a Central Sindhi Panchayat also.
They celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti & Sant Vasan Shah Varsi by arranging Priti Bhojan. They also celebrate Chetichand
day and Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti by Priti Bhojan and procession in the Town.
This town is famous for temples. Such
has Guru Nanak Hall and Mandir (in Sindhi Colony) , Sant Kanwar Ram Hall and
Mandir, Lal Sai Mandir, Mataji’s Mandir, Gayatri Mandir, 2 Swami Narayan
Mandirs , 3 Gurudwaras, Pribhdas Ashram etc. The Historical “Dandi is hardly at
a distance of 16 Kms from here from where Mt. Gandhi had started Dandi March
(Salt Satyagraha) in pre – partition days. The meeting was held at the residence of President Shri.
Manghandas M. Kanjani on 14-11-2011 where in 19 members of abovementioned 3
Panchayats were present.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VALSAD (Nov 15,
2011)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This town of 2 lakhs population has only 140 Sindhi families. They have one recently started “Puj
Sindhi Panachayat Valsad” whose President
is Shri. Kishore D. Mulchandani & Secreatry is Shri. Pradip V. Vazirani.
They do not possess any Sindhi Dharamshalla but only one Jhulelal Temple at
Kailash Road, wherein they arranged for meeting on 15-11-2011 on my request , wherein 17 persons were present.
They are very anxious to do something
good for their brethren. Shri. Hindwani suggested in the meeting that whatever social work is aimed at & decided by the community , the same
should be followed up vigorously till the same is completed. They arrange Priti
Bhojan on annual functions such as Chetichand, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Akhand Tij. They normally speak
in Sindhi among themselves and at home. Hardly
few of them know Sindhi Script. They are shortly going to start Sindhi
directory of the town as well as other social and cultural activities. The Sea
beach from here is at the distance of 4
Kms only wherein Swami Narayan Temple, Sai Baba Temple and Shantiniketan
“Tithal” are attractive places.
Thus, I have given report of my sojourns to
over 100 towns / cities in these columns which are enumerated in my book
“Fragrance of Sindhi Community”. I strongly aspire at my heart that our
community should be united and we should
form a Co-ordinating body of all Sindhi
Associations in India by making minimum
Common programme on the lines of NDA/
UPA and persuade Govt of India to get
our legitimate political and other rights
and ultimately to get a Sindh Pradesh in India , with or without
land , for preserving our language, Culture and Sanskriti, as we are the
maximum sufferers due to partition of
India wherein , unlike Punjabies
and Bengalis , we did not get any Land. As we Sindhis have successfully
passed the examination of standing on our own legs economically and contributed
tremendously in all directions for the
good of the country by our self efforts, I am sure that we shall also successfully pass another
examination of achieving our legitimate
rights with the Grace of God and through our preservance and patience. In furtherance of these objects
, I have prepared above mentioned book and again contacted these 95 cities and collected relevant names and addresses
with Telephone Nos. of Important Sindhis
and office bearers of Sindhi Associationes ( as
corrected upto 01-10-2011) and put the same on my website www.fragrancesindhicommunity.blogspot.in.
Moreover above 8 cities of Gujarat are also added to this website, in order to ensure that all
important Sindhis in all these cities / towns can be connected with one and other through the internet. The readers can
visit the website and give their
valuable views.
I am thankful to the Editors for putting my
reports and articles in their periodicals in the interest of the Community.
Mohan G. Rohira
Advocate
Mobile no: 9321448147
Email Id: mohangrohira@gmail.com
