Dear Readers,
Your first reaction could be, “Of course! You are a Gujju!”. However, I assure you, it is much more than just that. I intend to use this precious space to unite people from all spaces. I will start with my motherland Gujarat and in doing so, wish we can extend this dialogue to involve other societies, communities, and even nationalities.
On May 1, next Monday, Gujarat will celebrate its Foundation Day. I would like to take you friends to a short walk back to history. During the independence movement, British India had categorised Indian regions into Presidencies, namely the Bombay Presidency, Madras Presidency, Bengal Presidency, etc. A large geographical area encompassing various language groups, the formation was similar to what Europe did in Africa. Scrambling for power, colonial nations held a conference in the Vatican in the 19th century, where representatives of UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Italy, divided Africa to avoid warfare and quarrels among European nations in the presence of the then Pope.
This division of African nations was no different to vultures snatching at roadkill. There was no consideration on the history and culture of African societies or other visible things like language groups, faith groups or economic cooperation. Perhaps this is how the British acquired India and formed their own administrative structures.
Demands were raised during the independence movement, to streamline the division of India into more meaningful ways. One of the demands, or rather suggestions, was to form provinces (They were not called States back then) based on major language groups. At one stage, Sardar Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and others, understood the practicality of it, but thought it to be very divisive. Sardar Patel, already a legend, became immortal in the memories of Indians, when he successfully unified 560 princely states after independence, with his brilliant diplomacy and technique. This move of unity has created the existing India, which is in every aspect, larger than King Ashoka's 'Akhand Bharat, and Akbar's 'Mughlai Hindostan'.
Trouble soon began to brew by 1955 in the Telugu areas of the then Madras Presidency who demanded a separate state for Telugu people. They became very vocal, and one Mr Pottu Sreeramulu went on indefinite hunger strike. Sadly he passed away. Riots took place and Pandit Nehru's government was forced to constitute a state re-organisation commission. Various states like West Bengal, UP, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and others, were formed. It is also noteworthy that Telugu people wanted their own language-based state for various reasons but today, Andhra Pradesh finds itself sharing Telugu people with Telangana, which was founded in 2014.
In 1956, various states were formed on linguistic lines, but old Bombay Presidency of British era, continued as Bombay state, including present-day Maharashtra and Gujarat. This was mainly due to the opinion of some Congress leaders, especially Morarji Desai, then chief minister of Bombay state who later became India's 4th prime minister.
The same year, Sanyukt Maharashtra campaign and subsequently Mahagujarat Andolan began in earnest. In Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and other cities, nearly 200 people became victims to rounds of bullets following protests. Eventually in 1960, Bombay state was divided into Gujarat and Maharashtra. In the latter, there were various concerns about some parts like Belgam and Dharwad, which eventually integrated with Karnataka. Fortunately for Gujarat, the new state boundaries were almost as they were in the 11th and 12th century, especially during the time of Siddhraj Jaysinh.
Text on the borders of the state can be read in a poem written by Narmad, a friend of Rev. Alexander Kinloch Forbes and Kavi Nanalal, called 'Jay Jay Garavi Gujarat', which describes the North and South and East and West boundaries of Gujarat. What is more surprising that perhaps of all the states formed in India, especially in the non-Hindi belt, Gujarat is very fortunate that the geographical mass stays mostly similar to what it was 1000 years ago.
Geography plays a very important part in settlement of mankind, and evolution of societies
In my opinion, the geographical location of Gujarat has been a boon not only for the state, but for India too. One of the earliest ports for hundreds of years, Khambhat (Cambay), subsequently Bharuch and Surat, stands tall to this day. Ibn Batut and Chinese traveller Xuanzang wrote fantastic books about their travels in India, and describes their visits to Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and other places. They describe developed agriculture, outstanding manufacturing, very dependable and up to date financial services, Hundi, and many more. Some talk about their mentions of the Gujarati mind. Traders of Gujarat back in the day, traded with the spicy islands of Java, Sumatra and other (Present Indonesia) and in the west, not only the Muscat and Oman and present day Emirates, and Africa, but right up to Rome and other countries as well.
Gujarat has predominantly Hindus, the people of the oldest faith – Sanatan Dharma. It has so many sects. But what is remarkable is that for thousands of years, Hindu sects or other followers of Devs and Devis don't fight amongst themselves. They don't use violence. Of course, present day Gurus have various innovative ideas to attract followers of other sects into their folds, but it is then through peaceful means. Amongst Indian Muslims, Gujarati Muslims have evolved their own temperament, heritage. Ismaili Khojas, Ishnaris, Bohras, Memons, and others are, though Muslims, they are Gujarati in temperament.
This is called 'Gujaratita'. Gujarat has had its share of misfortune of religious riots in the past or completely distasteful behaviour towards untouchables. Since the last 16 years, Gujarat has no Hindu-Muslim strife as was seen before. Gujarat is a home to Sikhs, Christians, Parsis- which is a small community. But they are in no way to be underestimated. Cornelia Sorabji, the first woman to become a barrister in the UK, is one small example of the achievements the community can achieve. If you look at India, Parsis have contributed enormously in business, commerce, sciences, arts, etc. Similarly, the Jewish community.
Gujarat has all kinds of faiths and traditions. It has temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and synagogues and other places of worship. By and large it is a peaceful place, with enormous harmonious relationships. Why? Geography, history, societies, and heritage- the ASMITA. Live and Let Live. These are the primary features of Gujarat and Gujarati's characteristics. There is hardly a country in the present world, in which a Gujarati does not reside. The Gujarati bond is strong, even if they do not speak Gujarati. Their attitude, their mindset, is certainly a legacy from the forefathers.
Gujarat population has a large numbers of people from other states, the majority being from Rajasthan, followed by Biharis, and of course, UP bhaiyas. I know that about half a million people from Kerala reside in Ahmedabad alone. They are involved in all aspects of activities. Similarly, Gujaratis abroad have a particular fondness for their state. I was born in my maternal village near Bhadran, and for the last 70 years, my family has no land or property in the village. What I mean to say is, we have no physical bonds tying us to that place. Despite having lived only a handful of years in Bhadran, I visit the place whenever possible.
I visit my Bhadran, my Shiv temple, meet some old friends, and most importantly, walk on the very land where I once roamed as a child. I visit the very pond (now dry) where I learned how to swim. The village park, the libraries, and other places. The bond between the third or fourth generation anywhere they live, some say, transmits through their mother tongue. There is something else too. The lessons taught by the family, values, characteristics, they all link generations through generations.
In Britain today, there are some 2 million people of Indian origin. The largest groups are Punjabis and Gujaratis. Both, I suppose are estimated to be about 800,000. There are also British Indians from other states. There is a large Tamil community, but predominantly from Sri Lanka. Before I go further, let me say, that every society in every culture has their own strength, and inevitably some weaknesses and faults. So, when I talk about Gujaratis, I am not endorsing them as the best and mighty. Whether you are a Jordy, or Scottish, or a Pakistani, or Sri Lankan, or say West Indian, or a member of any other nation, we all have something to be proud of. I focus on the topic today because one of my ardent desire in media activity is to create awareness of knowing one's own self and if possible, improving one's own self. Nobody's perfect, every one can learn from each other.
Primarily, as a British Indian, my community has all of my loyalty and support. Parallely, I also respect other communities and culture, as well as faiths and traditions. Why British Gujaratis have done so well in this great country? Because of 'Gujaratita', or asmita, our traditions. If they are good, they are worth preserving. Wherever Gujaratis live, be it in India or abroad, they create Mahajans; mandals, associations, samaj, community groups, or other organisations, which not only provide a meeting place for caring and sharing, but they develop role models. This organisations, they do so much in voluntary sector in health, education, and communication. It is the same with other communities.
Another glaring example is the Jewish community. In UK, as of now, the total number of Jewish people is 300,000 or less. Even so, look at their profile in all aspects of life. I would say they are in the front row. For 2500 years, the entire world forced atrocities on them, thrown out of their countries for simply being Jews. And after a long struggle, they were able to get a homeland- a small area of barren land. But today, the State of Israel is a world power. Its technology, business, commerce, arts, science, defence, research, is as good as any, and better than many. All this unbelievable transformation happened for many reasons. Mainly being the resolve and dedication and devotion of the Jews abroad. Wherever a Jew is settled, in whatever way, he will spare no efforts to allocate time and resources for the development and progress of state of Israel. Be it the Indians or others, Gujaratis or non-Gujaratis, when we are settled in a civilised country like Great Britain, helping fellow Indian back in the country, is also helping ourselves.
We may have great difficult with where to begin and what to do, but we can always go right back to where we started; the village, the town. However, nothing is possible if we are not willing. The truth is, opportunities are ample.
While Gujaratis and their friends all over the world celebrate the birth of a separate state of Gujarat, let us extend our best wishes to every one with the sole purpose being to let us know who we are. Let us have a clear idea of what we should do, and most importantly what we should not do. And live in harmony with other people and create a better tomorrow for everyone.
BOX
State demographic in India
Total geographical area : 6 %
Total Population : 5 %
Industrial Output: 16 %
Total Export: 18 %
Diamond Polishing Business : 90 %
Leading Freedom Fighters
Mahatma Gandhi
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vitthalbhai Patel
Philosophy and Vedic Dharma
Dayanand Saraswati
Former Prime Minister
Morarji Desai
Current leaders shaping India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
BJP President Amit Shah
