Dr. Hari Desai’s column in Asian Voice, and translation in Gujarati is pleasant to read. But why do all writers hide facts about nobility gentlemen characters of majority, 565 Maharajas. Rotten apples were only a handful. Following two NOBLE noble maharajas are among majority.
The first is His Highness Bhagwatsinhji, of Gondal who lived a frugal life and insisted thrifty lifestyle on princes, ministers and staff. Annual income of Gondal rose from Rupees 1,400,00 to Rupees 7,900,000 yet he did not claim increment. He encouraged women’s education by awarding RS500.00 to girls passing Matric examination. He implemented uniform style of schools, conservation of environment, 24 hours availability of drinking water, underground cables to supply electricity, care to see that no humans and / or animals starved during famine, built strong embankments along rivers to stop flooding etc.
Besides his duties as Maharaja, he compiled dictionary of colloquial Gujarati under title of “Bhagwadgomandal”. He travelled to many countries and compiled his reactions from perspective of Indian patriotism and dignity. He was educated as mentioned above. He donated to disaster areas as far as Quetta, Orissa and Africa, to educational institutes in England, Ferguson College of Puna, and invested in trams running in Bombay.
The second is Maharaja JAmsaheb Digvijay Singhji of Jamnagar, Gujarat. Besides usual royal merits, he must be admired for most fearless and humanitarian feat during WW 2. More than 4000 refugees were denied right to land by countries ALL over the world.
Only Jamsaheb fearlessly defied the world opinion / Empire rulers and allowed refugees to land. He gave them shelter for indefinite period. He gave them all assistances (including schooling of their children), till they considered it safe to return to Poland. Poland still celebrates a day to mark this humanitarian haven.
Ramesh Jhalla
By email
