I am great fan of Ramesh Jhalla, as his letters are short, articulate and inspiring. His knowledge of our religion and culture is second to none in our friend circle. So I am at a loss to spot simple mistake in his last letter titled “Gandhiji”. Perhaps it was slip of pen, as I have myself made such mistakes on few occasions. Gandhiji was not staunch Jain but staunch Hindu, member of Modh Vanik community, pure Vaishnava, disciple of Lord Rama. Although we believe that Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are peas from the same pod, I feel it is right to correct this misconception for younger readers.
We belong to the same community. Going back few generations, we are distantly related. My cousin sister is married to Gandhiji great nephew. The family still have in their possession letters written by Gandhiji while they were living in Durban, South Africa.
Modh Vanik is tiny but articulate, well-educated close knit community, like Parcis. India’s richest billionaire, magnanimous Ambani brothers Mukesh and Anil are Modh Vanik who takes care of the community, thus there is no unemployment among Modh Vanik. Dhirubhai Ambani who founded Reliance, passed away in 2002, brothers inherited business. But they soon split up, going their separate ways, yet both are successful.
Gandhiji’s grand-daughter Manuben who was always at his side, including on the day he was shot dead, used to write occasionally for our long established community magazine with cachet, “Modh Mohaday” where I, a compatriot, had permanent spot, from late fifties to mid-seventies, writing short stories, poems and articles. It is going down memory lane second week running!
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
