 |
| ANIL PUNJABI |
 |
| ARJUN G. ASWANI |
 |
| ASHOK SUJNANI |
 |
| GOPICHAND NIHALANI |
 |
| GOVIND K. BHAMBANI |
 |
| HARISH G. METHARAMANI |
 |
| KISHANCHAND N. KHAIRAJANI |
 |
| LACHMAAN P. BELANI |
 |
| MURLI PUNJABI |
 |
| NARESH R. PARNANI |
 |
| RAMESH KUMAR NARWANI |
 |
| THAKURDAS CHOTRANI |
 |
| VINOD VASWANI |
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Kolkata Office Bearers
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Tour report of Sindhis of Gujarat during April 2009
Tour report of Sindhis of Gujarat during April 2009
(Mohan G. Rohira, Advocate)
Published in (1) “Sujag Sindhi” (Dev) dt. Jun-1-2009 (2)
“Hindu” (Sindhi) June-2 and 4-2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIHOR (April 22,
2009):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This tiny town is
situated on Western Rly at a distance of 30 Kilometers from Bhavnagar. Its
total population is only 70,000 including 100 Sindhi families. The President
& Secretary of Sindhi Samaj, Sihor, respectively are Shri Gordhandas
Mewalamal Chawla and Shri Hareshbhai Narumal Chimnani. They have built Sri Guru
Nanak Sindhi Gurudwara in Sindhi Colony where they often meet together on
social, religious, happy and unhappy occasions. They are normally in different
businesses. Here the specialty of Sindhis is that they speak only in Sindhi
only at home and among themselves. Of course some Gujarati words have made
inroads in Sindhi Language due to the overall atmosphere of Gujarati language.
They celebrate the annual festivals of Guru Nanak Jayanti & Chetichand on a grand scale
e.g. by arranging "Akhand Path Sahib” for 3 days, keeping their shops
closed throughout the day, eating food together twice a day & arranging
procession in the town. Not only that, but they also arrange "Prabhat
Pheri" for 15 days in Guru Nanak
Jayanti. They also celebrate other annual festivals with much fun &
fair. They are strongly united. If any Sindhi is ill-treated by any local
person or if there is death of a Sindhi in the town, all the Sindhi shops
remain closed on that day. Thus they serve a good and inspiring example for the
Sindhis of other cities. However it is shocking to state here that I could not
find even a Single Sindhi person there who could read & write in Sindhi
Language or take free Sindhi Literature from me as all their correspondence is
in Gujarati language. They appreciated this & assured me to implement
shortly my suggestion of keeping Laminated Murtis of Sai Jhulelal at their
shops/ homes for keeping their identity in tact (on the lines of Bangalore Sindhi
Samaj). 17 important Sindhis attended the meeting for 2 hours on 22-04-09 and
their Tel. Nos were noted. The places worth seeing in the town are Sri
Gotameshwar Mahadev mandir & Sri Navnath Mandir.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PALITANA (April 23,
2009)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This tiny town is
65 km away from Bhavnagar. Its total population is 80,000 including 500 Sindhi
families. The town has 6 Sindhi Panchayats showing the names of towns in Sindh
from which they or their parents had originally come during partition of the
country, such as 1) Shikarpuri Sindhi Panchayat (President, Ghanshyambhai
Gambhani), 2) Kandhra Sindhi Panchayat (President, Udhomal Kukreja), 3) Riyasat
Sindhi Panchayat (President, Maheshbhai Badlani) 4) Pirgothai Sindhi Panchayat
(President, Rameshbhai Kanjani, 5) Khanpur Sindhi Panchayat (President,
Panjumal Mandani), 6) Ghotki Sindhi Panchayat (President, Shambhoobhai
Talreja). Moreover they have one Sindhi General Panchayat named "Palitana
Sindhi Samaj" whose Secretary is Shri Sudhamabhai Manjhar & President
is Shri Ashokbhai Prabhumal Nainani. He is also President, of Bhavnagar Distt.
Sindhi Panchayat. All the aforesaid persons of all Sindhi Panchayats were
present (total 24) in the meeting dt. 23-04-2009 for 2 hours which was called
by them on my request with a short notice, which shows their sincerity and
devotion for the Community.
The Sindhis of
this town have built 3 centres namely 1) Jyoti Swaroop Sindhi Dharamshala, 2)
Riyasat Sindhi Hall and 3) Sant Kanwar Ram Hall. These places are mainly meant
for their meetings for social, religious, happy & unhappy occasions. The
town has 7 Sindhi Temples which include 3 Sri Guru Nanak Gurudwaras, 3 Jhulelal
Mandirs and 1 Ganapati Mandir. All the Sindhis here speak in Sindhi only at
home & among themselves. It is gratifying to note that they have one Hemu
Kalani Sindhi High School wherein Sindhi (Devnagiri Script) is taught as one of
the subjects. Practically all are in different businesses. They celebrate
annual festivals such as Guru Nanak
Jayanti & Chaliha Sahib with "Langar Prasadi" (Preeti
bhojan) on a grand scale. Moreover on
auspicious occasion of Chetichand they take out procession with "Behrana
Saheb" on a large scale and serve "Prasad" to all passers-by
including local persons and all sindhis of the town take "Priti
Bhojan" (preeti bhojan) together, so much so that they don't light fire in
their own kitchen on that day. They are united and meet among themselves on
marriage and death occasions. They do much social work through their panchayats
such as giving financial help to 15 Sindhi poor families, giving prizes to
merits students, celebrating Sindhi week during Shravan month wherein they
arrange competition among Sindhi students, arrange medical camps etc. They have
good relations with local people. The town has many world famous Jain temples
worth seeing named Shrutunjay Giriraj temples (on a hill nearby) &
Hastagiri temples and a Shrutunjay Dam.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Tour report of Sindhis of some cities in M.P. (Aug 2008)
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)
(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
:
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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.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P. - 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHOPAL (M.P.) (Aug 2007)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, 31 October 2005
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. Other temples (Jhulelal Mandirs)
are in Gordhandham Nagar & Satram Sindhi Colony. Recently,
they have started Swami Shanti Prakash Ashram in Sindhi Colony from 9.6.2013. 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.
Tuesday, 11 November 2003
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN KARNATAKA
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN KARNATAKA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANGALORE (Nov 11, 2003) and (Oct 2008)
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Sunday, 1 December 2002
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P. - 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEEMUCH (M.P.) (Dec 2002)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANDSUAR (M.P.) (Dec 2002)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Joint
Report/Article 6 (MP, Rajasthan)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAVRA (M.P.) (Dec 2002) (Nov 6, 2011)
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Thursday, 1 February 2001
KUTCH ZONE (Guj) - EARTHQUAKE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KUTCH ZONE
(Guj) - EARTHQUAKE: (Feb 2001)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published (1) N E W S L E T T E R of BHARATIYA SINDHU
SABHA (Sindhi) Mar-2001 (2) partly in “Sindhi International”, April 2001
Tour OF Earthquake affected areas of Kutch in
February 2001
(Mohan G. Rohira)
After learning
about the great natural calamity of the earthquake in Gujarat, particularly
Kutch (on 26/1/2001) ,I along with 7 prominent persons in a group had gone
there on behalf of Bandra Hindu Association, International Sindhi Forum, Mataji
Rampyari Darbar and Sindhi Social Samaj, Khar (Mumbai), for the purpose of
surveying the situation and distribution of relief materials. The report in a
nutshell is as under :
The exact casualty
figures cannot be ascertained as some have been buried alive under the debris
and those who were saved or injured have left the broken houses and migrated to
their relatives / Friends. Hence wherever possible approximate figures are
given. The tragedy is beyond description.
Twin cities of
Adipur and Gandhidham :- These cities have also suffered in the earthquake but
there was no information on the newsmedia or T.V. for 1st 4/5 days and no help
came from Govt, for these days as if these cities are not on Indian map! These
cities which were founded by Bhai Pratap for Sindhi refugees after partition of
the country half a Century back, have again been uprooted as if second
partition has taken place for the inhabitants. Over 1200 people have died, more
than that injured, great number of buildings have collapsed partly or fully
& thousands have become homeless in these cities. However the number of
casualties and properties destroyed is more in Gandhidham as compared to
Adipur. In the hostel of Tolani Foundation, 35 students and Teachers have died
on the spot during Republic Day celebrations. We met important personalities
like Shri Lakhmi Khilani & Pritam Variani (Sindhology), Mrs. Nirmala
Gajwani (Chair person S.R.C.), Mrs. Vishni Israni (Ex-President Gandhidham
Municipality) & Shri Hari Atmaram (Gen. Secretary, Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha
& Sindhu Varsha Foundation) with whose help the material brought by us
could be distributed.
BHUJ TALUKA :-
Here total 170 villages are affected. In all 35000 families are affected in
Taluka & 25000 families in city area. Old city is worst affected whereas
new areas of city are partly saved including Jhulelal Society. RSS/ VHP have
opened relief centres in 71 villages in BHUJ Taluka & 34 centres in the
city. They also started relief centres at Bachau, Rapar, Anjaar, etc. They feed
12000 persons daily with 400 volunteers irrespective of community, creed,
colour or religion.
ANJAAR :- Here the
number of casualties is 4000 and that of injured is 2000 in the total
population of 1,00,000. Nearly 3000 houses have collapsed fully and 9000
partly. RSS/VHP feed 2500 persons daily. They have employed 100 doctors for
medical help.
BHACHAU :- This is
the worst affected Area. The city looks like a dead one, like Mohenjo Daro of
Sindh. RSS/VHP Volunteers are feeding 5,000 persons daily. They have employed
58 skilled doctors. In Rapar alone almost 90% people and in Dudhai 6000 people
have died and all 1200 houses collapsed. In Morbi, 50 houses of Sindhis have
been destroyed. Other affected areas are Surendar Nagar, Vankaner, Mandvi, etc.
Likewise faraway
places like Surat, Maninagar, and Ahmedabad, etc. are not spared by nature, In
Maninagar, Ahmedabad, 18 buildings have collapsed & 25 sindhis died. In
proper Ahmedabad 50 sindhis have died and so many of them have become homeless.
The Non -Govt,
organisations have been doing marvelous yeoman services without distinction of
caste, creed, colour or religion as compared to the Govt. help. These
organisations are as under :
R.S.S. , V.H.P.,
Ramakrishna Mission, Sai Samiti of Satya Saibaba, Yog Vedant Seva Samiti of
Sant Sri. Asharamji, Premprakash Ashram of Swami Teooramji, Chinmaya Mission,
Red Cross, Vishwa Jagruty Mission of Acharya Sudhanshuji Maharaj, Sindhu Varsha
Foundation, Bharitya Sindhu Sabha, Brahmakumaris, Kutch Yuvak Sangh, Swaminarayan
Mandir, Arya Samaj, various Sindhi organisations from Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara
and Ahmedabad. Moreover Sadhu Vaswani Mission in collaboration with Divine Life
Society Hospital (Adipur) have opened a temporary Hospital in Garden Restaurant
at Adipur (Gandhidham). Some foreigners from Denmark and other places with
ultramodern medical equipment for operations have opened temporary Hospitals in
tents on Radhaswamy plot in Gandhdham. Hinduja Foundation has announced a
donation of Rs. 5 Crores for relief and rehabilitation of affected areas.
Likewise Sikhs, Godriwala Sant of Jalgaon, Sai Hirdaram of Bairagadh (Bhopal)
etc. are helping a lot.
V.H.P. / R.S.S
have arranged 20000 part time and 3000 full time workers in whole of Gujrat
affected areas for relief and rehabilitation. They have distributed 950 trucks
of relief materials among the people such as 103,000 Kambals, 31000 big tents,
81500 Big Cartons of medicines, 10215 meters tarpolin, 80400 litres of milk, 3
lakh litres of water bottles and pouches, 46000 Kg. of Rice, 32000 Kgs of Dal, 37455 Kgs. Wheat flour,
etc. They have opened 9 centres (4 in Bhuj,2 in Ahmedabad and one each in
Bhachau, Anjar and Surendranagar). In all 23325 persons have been treated in
their hospitals. They have started 9 centres of “Bhojanalayas” where 10000
persons are fed in each centre. They have also started new schemes for
rehabilitation of the masses such as "Vatsalaya Mandirs" (where free
books and stationery is supplied to students), Parivar Datak (adoption of a family)
and Gram Datak (adoption of a village). These figures are collected upto
6-2-01. Further activities are in progress. Likewise, other above stated
organizations are working with their own programme and in collaboration with
one and other.
The following materials are needed urgently
:- Utensils, Cement, readymade clothes, Food grains, such as wheat, flour,
rice, moong dal, sugar, tea, salt etc., Blankets, medicines, tents, batteries,
etc. The houses with small cracks are to be repaired. Other houses which are
not safe are to be removed and new ones (small houses) to be constructed at
their place with 50% Govt. loan interest free for a period of 6 years.
Life is like a
bubble and it is struggle for survival. Nothing is certain in this ever
changing world except the law of change. It is therefore everyone's duty to
help these affected persons in all respects so that they can start a new life
and stand on their own legs. More help is needed particularly in Adipur &
Gandhidhan where sufficient help has not reached so far as compared to other
affected areas. We appeal to NRI & Other philanthrophist Sindhis to come
forward and adopt these cities / Villages on the lines as some of the other
affected villages have been adopted by others. Let us remain as good human beings
and pray to Almighty God to keep all human beings safe and happy.
Saturday, 7 October 2000
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P. - 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATLAM (MP) : (Oct 2000) and every
alternative year thereafter
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INDORE (MP) : (Dec 30, 2000) and (Oct 2005)
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Published in (1) "Chingoon" Sindhi dated 12-03-2001
(2) "Sujag Sindhi" Devnagiri dtd. 23-04-2001
(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.
Saturday, 1 July 2000
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN GUJARAT
TOUR
REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN
CITIES OF GUJARAT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahmedabad
(Karnavati) : (July 2000)
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Please also refer to previous
report
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KHAMBAT (Guj): (July 2000)
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BHAVNAGAR (Guj)
: (July 2000)
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ADIPUR (Guj)
: (Oct 2000)
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GANDHIDHAM
(Guj) : (Oct 2000)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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DAHOD (Guj):
(Oct 2000) (Nov 7, 2011)
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Friday, 31 July 1998
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P. -- 2007
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P. -- 2007
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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KATNI (Jul-Aug 1998) (January 2007)
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JABALPUR (Jul-Aug 1998) (January 2007)
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ITARSI (Jul-Aug 1998)
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BURHANPUR (Jul-Aug 1998)
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Wednesday, 1 July 1998
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN CITIES OF GUJARAT ( July-Aug 1998)
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN GUJARAT (
July-Aug 1998)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahmedabad (Karnavati) (Jul-Aug 1998)
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Saturday, 1 March 1997
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN BIHAR
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN BIHAR
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Thursday, 1 February 1996
TOUR REPORTS/ARTICLES OF SINDHIS STAYING IN M.P. - 1996
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HOSHANGABAD (M.P.) (1996)
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DATIA (M.P.) (1996)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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BINA (M.P.) (1996 and subsequently 2008)
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GWALIOR (M.P.) (1996 and subsequently July
30, 2008)
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Published in (1) "Chingoon" Sindhi dated 12-03-2001
(2) "Sujag Sindhi" Devnagiri dtd. 23-04-2001
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