TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN DELHI

TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN DELHI

(Sep 21-23, 2012)

Published in (1) “Hindu” (Sindhi) daily,  Nov-7-2012 (2) “Hindvasi” (Sindhi) weekly, Nov 4, 2012 (3) “Samvad Sindhi” (English) Feb 1-15, 2013

            This marvellous, gigantic and very ancient (during Pandavas’ period of Indraprasta State) Metropolis has remained the capital of our great country Bharat since last 1000 years.  It is also Union Territory with its name and NCR (National Capital Region).  It includes old Delhi of mugul Dynasty period and modern New Delhi.  This Metropolis is spread all round in a very big area (covering 1483 k.m.).  Its outer circumference is 80 k.m. (outer ring road)  and inner circumference is nearly 40 k.m. (inner Ring Road). These roads are connected with all the different and far away localities of the Metropolis.  In addition the arrangement of A.C. Metro Rail Network (which is not less than that of Japan) has further facilitated the travel from one part of the Metropolis to the other to a great extent.  It’s population is one and a half crore, which includes a quarter to 2 lakh Sindhis who have contributed to it like sugar in the milk.  They are spread in practically all localities - particularly in Jhangirpuri, Janakpuri, Kalkaji, Jhulelal Society (Pitampura), Ashok Vihar, Sarit Vihar, Mayur Vihar, Rajinder Nagar (Old & New), Lajpat Nagar, Ramesh Nagar, Malaviya Nagar, Patel Nagar, Shalimar Baug, Sabzi Mandi etc. and  hence I had to travel to many different localities to arange meetings with office bearers of Sindhi Panchayats in these localities.

          This Metropolis has over a hundred Sindhi Panchayats, cultural associations, Mandals, temples (like Nijthanw) etc., most of these are registered with Govt. Authorities.  However they do not have any single Co-ordinating Body or Central Panchayat, though efforts are going on for the same.  Every association has its own office bearers and is doing so many social activities in its own field which can not be discribed here in these columns for want of space - mention of one such association here will be sufficient.  For example, old Rajindernagar Sindhi Panchayat and Sindhi Samaj (Regd.).  They have  one Sindhu Bhavan which includes Dharamshalla, Basement Hall, Jhulelal Mandir, Krishin Mandir, Pre-Nursery School, etc., wherein Widow’s Fund Committee, Matrimonial Centre are functioning and celebration of religious days, medical  help, cultural programmes are arranged.

          Sindhu Education Society is formed in Lajpatnagar whose Secretary is Shri K.R. Manjani, an 84 year old famous advocate.  Two famous schools are run under this society - such as (1) Baba Nebhraj Secondary School (Estt. 1956) wherein 1200 students study till 12th Std. The Sepciality of this school is that one Sindhi subject (Devanagiri script) is compulsory even for non-Sindhi students.  (2) Hemnani Public School (Estt. 1978) wherein 850 students study in English medium.  Here also one Sindhi subject (Devanagiri Script) is compulsory for all Sindhi Students. In Chanakyapuri, there is one Sadhu Vaswani School wherein Sindhi subject is compulsory for all Sindhi students.  These three (3) schools are shining example for giving inspiration to Sindhis of other cities in so far as Sindhi education is concerned.  More over Sindhi Khojana (Research) Kendra and library are established by Delhi Sindhi Academy in Sant Kanwarram mandir (Lajpatnagar).  Sindhi Navjivan Sabha also has network of so many social activities in this locality.  Delhi Sindhi  Academy is located in Kashmiri Gate area whose Vice President is Dr. Murlidhar Jetley and Dy. Secretary is Shri Bharat Jumani.  NCPSL (National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language) is located in R.K. Puram. Its Vice President is Shri Ramesh Varliani and Director is Shri Nirmal Goplani.  Both Delhi Academy and this Council have been contributing a lot for promotion of Sindhyat.

          Sindhis of this Metropolis are not lagging behind in celebrating periodical festivals - particularly “Chand” of every month and “Chetichand” etc., which are celebrated in Lal Sai Mandirs which are built normally in every locality where Sindhis are in large number. In addition many cultural programmes are arranged by ‘Sindhi Jagruti Sabha’ (I/C Manohar Balwani), Sindhu Sabha (I/C Jaikishin) and All India Sindhi Culture Forum (I/C Menghraj Gurnani - Poet, Writer & Dramatist).  Here, majority of Sindhis (nearly 75%) are engaged in business/professions and the remaining are in Govt. & Private jobs.  The Murtis of Jhulelal Sai are normally seen in their shops/offices.  Many asosciations have prepared Sindhi directories of their locality.  The work of preparing one Central Directory of all Sindhis of this great city is in progress.

          Many periodicals and magazines are published from  here.  Such as (1) “Samvad Sindhi” , bi-weekly (Hindi, Devanagiri & English), Editor - Shrikant Bhatia, (2) ‘Survir’ weekly (Siindhi), Editor - Mohanlal Vaswani, (3) ‘Sindhi gulshan’ Bi-weekly (Hindi & Devanagiri), Editor - Anjali Tulsiani (4) ‘Dil-E-Sindh’ Bi-weekly (Hindi, Devanagiri & English), Editor - Mahesh Chhabria, (5) ‘Sindhiyun-jo-Sansar”, Monthly, (Sindhi), Editor - Dr. Ghanshyam Hotumalani, etc.  Many Dharamshallas are built by Sindhi Organisations here for happy and unhappy occasions. There is arrangement for staying also in some of them.  Such as (1) Jhulelal Mandir & Sant Kanwar Ram Kutia (Malaviyanagar), (2) Sant Satramdas Dharamshalla (Nebsarai), (3) Fatihapuri Sindhi Dharamshalla (near Old Delhi Rly. Station), (4) Sindhu  Bhavan (old Rajinder nagar), (5) Jhulelal Mandir (Ashok Vihar), (6) Swami Teunram Prem Prakash Mandir (Malka Ganj), etc.

          This capital great city is political hub of India.  A number of attractive tourist places are worthseeing here - such as India Gate, Rashtrapti Bhavan, Parliament House, National & Railways, Museums, Rajghat, Birla Mandir, ISKCON Mandir, Swami Narayan Mandir, Akshar Dham, Lal Qila, Qutub Minar, Yamuna River etc., which can be conveniently visited through Govt. & Private conducted tours, private A/c & Non.A/C buses and by beautiful Metro network.  The fare for whole day A/c Bus is Rs.50/-. The monthly pass for Sr. Citizens is only Rs.50/- (Rs.150/- for monthly A/c. Bus).