Dr Nandkumar Hemraj Keswani

COVID sadly has become a part of life now. Its been almost six months now yet there seems to be no end to this pandemic. Last week, I went to office for the first time since the lockdown. I was looking forward to going to office for the past few weeks and finally got a chance when I had to go to attend a client meeting. I never thought that sitting at my office desk would bring such joy!

Despite all the challenges that a developing economy like India faces in deal with the pandemic, one of the institutions that has stood out is All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. Established in 1956 by India's first Health Minister, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, as an institution of national importance for imparting medical education, AIIMS is playing a pivotal role in shaping the medical response to COVID in India . From devising medical strategies to deal with infected patients  which serve as a guiding light for other hospitals / institutions across the country , designing and co-coordinating vaccine trials to advising the government on various Public Health interventions required at this critical time, the institution is truly living up to the vision of its founders. Having had a family member who has been treated at AIIMS, I can personally vouch for the top class evidence based medicine that the institution practices. While the waiting queues may be long, however, it is one of the few successful institutions where top quality medical treatment is not just the preserve of the rich and elite. It is truly a common man's hospital. 

Not many may be aware, but an important role in the establishment of the institution was played by a fellow Sindhi, (Late) Dr. Nandkumar Hemraj Keswani, who joined the institution as the founder head of the Department of Anatomy and History of Medicine and later went on to become the Dean and Interim Director. Born in Bunguldero in Larkana District in Sindh, Pakistan in 1923, Doctor Dada left his career at Mayo Clinic / University of Rochester in USA to join AIIMS as a founding faculty member and served the institute for approximately 22 years along with his wife , Marianne (Colburg) Keswani and their four kids. He has often been described as the "finest" anatomist of his times, having regularly co-authored with Dr Hollinshead , whose Anatomy textbook is as relevant today as it was then. He was also instrumental in creating the museum of the History of Medicine at AIIMS. Dada Sahib has also served as the medical director of Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai  which was established by another Sindhi family, Chanrais. Keswanis returned to USA in 1970s and Dada  passed away in 2011. 

(Late) Dr. Nandkumar Hemraj Keswani
Photo Courtesy : Internet

Whilst much has been written about Sindhis as a trading community and as being astute businessmen , not many are aware that Sindhis have equally contributed to the country's growth and development in other areas as well - whether in Politics through stalwarts like (Late) Acharya Kriplani and L K Advani, in legal field via maverick like (Late) Ram Jethmalani and (Late) Nirmal and Kapila Hingorani or in Medicine via Dada Sahib and many others. May Sindhri be blessed with many more stalwarts like Dada Sahib. His dedication and commitment to helping India reach greater heights is  unparalleled and is as much needed today as it was then.  

Keswani family is involved with Keswani Family Fund at American Academy of Pediatrics which intends to bring one additional scholar from India to USA for advanced neonatal training. Interested reader may want to visit their webpage  https://services.aap.org/en/aap-global/keswani-family-fund/

I end with this wonderful Jhulelal Pallav sung by Mohit Lalwani during Cheti Chand celebrations in March at his home. I enjoyed listening to the Aarti and I hope you too like it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI5GZ7z41W0&t=8s

Being Sindhi ( Contd..)

Migration of Refugees from Sindh  is an issue that is close to my heart. Every time I hear about  group of Hindu Sindhis coming to India to start life afresh due to difficult circumstances in their home country, my heart fills with sadness. It reminds me of my paternal and maternal grandfather and the struggle they would have gone through to re-start life in India. Dada was lucky to find a Government job early on given his educational background. Nana on the other hand came to Delhi as his brother-in-law had a government job here and was the only close relative that Nani had having lost both her parents early on. In addition, the government was much more benevolent given the huge influx at that time and had allotted land to refugees. Having a home/ a place of your own in new surroundings helps you immensely in developing a sense of identity and often acts as a building block for starting life afresh. I have time and again heard elderly relatives talk about the importance of owning a home , often commenting " Maanu je sar te chut te pehenji huje" (One should have a home of their own). 

However, the circumstances are much more difficult for fellow brothers and sisters who are migrating now. Whilst they come with a lot of hope, for many, it doesn't take long for their dreams to be shattered. There is negligible government support except some assistance by few Samaritans / Sindhi organisations every now and then. Having grown up in a doctor household, as kids we used to get irritated whenever the doorbell rang at odd hours. Daddy always used to say " Maanu dadhi aas saan aenda aahin" ( People come with a lot of hope) and would always respond. Today I realize how would lonely these fellow sindhis would feel when they are left to fend for themselves without much  assistance. It also makes me realize the important role that "luck" and "timing" play in shaping our futures.  

I do think it is no less than service to the entire society to help these migrants. Help need not be monetary ; for a lot of them, help essentially means giving them access to opportunities - whether it is helping them with an application for school or a referral at work etc or probably something as simple as offering them a cup of tea if you happen to meet them. Sometimes all that people need is a support system and they are ready to conquer the world. The next time you meet a refugee family, please act compassionately.

 I end with youtube videos of two gentlemen who represent the true Sindhi spirit - of never giving up, of hard work and of zeal to succeed against all odds. The first story is of visually impaired Dada Kalyan Adwani who is based in the Sindhi colony of Jaripatka in Nagpur (Maharashtra).Despite having lost his eyesight at the young age of three years, Dada Kalyan never gave up and today successfully runs a kids snack store from his home to make ends meet. He reminds me of Tina and my visits to " Bhogdi" from whom we used to buy Namkeen when we were young. From the same Nagpur, is another inspiring story of another young Hindu migrant from Pakistan, Lakhi ( now known as Lucky) who runs a roadside cart selling Poha / Chivda.  Bhai Lakhi is also specially abled yet rather than relying on charity/alms, runs his own cart to earn an honorable living. He has named his cart SSD after the famous Sacho Satram Dham sect from Deherki Sahib in Pakistan which has a huge following amongst Sindhis in Western India. 

It is individuals like Dada Kalyan and Saeen Lakhi who truly represent all that we as a community stand for. As (Late) Dada K. R. Malkani aptly writes in his book "The Sindh Story" :-

 " ..........  From ``Sharnarthis'', the Sindhis have grown into ``Pursharthis'' and ``Parmarthis''.

What could be the reason for the dramatic success of Sindhis --- and Punjabis --- after the shattering shock of Partition? It is the same reason that enabled Japan and Germany to revive themselves after the trauma of defeat in World War II. This is, the mind of a people. Milton described it long back as ``the unconquerable will, never to submit or yield''. The Sindhi considers it his Fundamental Right to Succeed. Given this frame of mind, men can make gold even out of dust."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWnMoLf58Mc&t=149s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNdobr3DBGE&t=2s

 Jai Jhulelal. 

Toronto Sindhi Gurmandir

June has been busier than usual. Working From Home (WFH) isn't as easy as it sounds. I have found that on most days, I end up working much more than I used to in office. The days easily extend till late in the evening and everyone tends to think that you are available 24*7. It is probably the first time in the last two years that I haven't been able to complete my fortnightly blog post. But as they say " Better late than never".

Ever since the lock down began, I have been noticing an increase in the number of Sindhi programs being held online which is quite heartening. In fact I do see a sizable number of people attending the same as well. On an average, on most web programs, I usually see an attendance of  around 150-200 people. In the various in-person artist programs that Delhi Sindhi Academy organizes (or used to, before COVID), the audience strength is generally around 100-125, so considering that these are e-concerts, 200 seems quite an encouraging number. The two good e-programs that come to my mind are the musical evening by Saeen Rajan Jhangiani in early May, whose singing I greatly enjoy  as well as the one organised by Sindhi Gurmandir, Toronto  on 31st May,2020 who had invited Saeen Sadhram Sahib from Deherki Sahib, Sindh (Pakistan)  for a Satsang along with popular Sindhi singer, Jatin Udasi for a musical evening . Shri Arjun Jasuja was the lovely host for the event.

I am quite amazed to see fellow Sindhi families settled in Toronto taking so much interest in our mother tongue and heritage. I first read about Sindhi Gurmandir in Toronto when many years ago, I was shared a youtube video of Dada Vaswani's Satsang there and was surprised to such a thriving Sindhi population in the area. My subsequent interactions with Dada Balwant re-confirmed the presence of a vibrant Sindhi community in Canada. Sindhi Sangat, a few years ago, directed an insightful documentary on the genesis and establishment of  Toronto Gurmandir which is a good watch.(link below). I have often heard Dada Mahesh Chander during his concerts mentioning  about his friend Sher Motwani in Canada.  I understand that Dada Motwani  has played an important role in the establishment of Toronto Sindhu Samaj.

Sindhi Gurmandir, Toronto, CANADA ( Picture Courtesy: Internet)

It is heartening to note that community members have united and contributed to the establishment of such a marvelous Gurmandir which I hope serves as a guiding light for us and the future generations  ; helping us in knowing our roots and holding our dear " Sindhri" close to us. I hope and pray for continued well being of Gurmandir and its members.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-fJBMfqD9Q&t=364s

I end with this lovely rendition of " Hin Janam Hun Janam" by "Adi" Manjushree Assudani Tejwani at Sahyadri Sahyog Awards Function in 2014. The National Broadcaster, Doordarshan, in association with the Sahyog Foundation organizes the SAHYADRI SAHYOG SINDHU AWARDS generally held at Doordarshan Mumbai Kandra to felicitate the eminent personalities from Sindhi Community who had done extraordinary work in their respective fields. Sahyog Foundation is headed by Dada Ram Jawaharani whose commitment and work towards preserving Sindhiyat I deeply admire.  Adi Manjushree is best known for her sindhi devotional songs. I pray for her well being and long life. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oENEOfhSoCg

Jai Jhulelal

Fanna -Fi-Allah

Hī sūfian jo des ā, latīf jī zamīn hī;
Hī sāmī wāro āstān, makān-i ‘ārifian hī
Sachal jo hit darāz āh, sāz āh dīn hī:
Hite ā dīn ‘ishq o uns, ā balad amīn hī!
Hit ā bashar birādarī, hite na zāt pāt ā!
Ae sindh tū mathān sadā salām ā salāt ā!

This is the country of Sufis, the land of Latif;
This is Sami’s place, the abode of mystics; 
Here is Sachal’s dargah, this religion is music: 
Here, religion is love and affection, the land of peace! 
Here mankind is our brotherhood, there is no caste system here! 
O Sindh, may prayers and peace always be upon you!

                                       - Hyder Bux Jatoi,1954*

Fanna- Fi -Allah is a Canadian- American  group which plays Qawwali, a well known form of Sufi devotional music played in the Indian sub continent. It is led by Tahir Qawwal ( formerly Geoffrey Lyons) who has learnt this art form from classical masters in India and Pakistan. Aminah Chishti accompanies him on Tabla. She is the first female tabla player to be initiated into the lineage of Qawwali. "Fanna Fi Allah" means "Annihilation in God" inspired by the long standing Sufi tradition. In the Sufi world " Love for Beloved" and "God" are the same - communion with the spirit being a key tenet of Sufism. I personally think that  Sufism's emphasis on all religions being equal and on the personal nature of one's interaction with the almighty without emphasis on rituals etc have played an important part in the community's financial success as we are able to easily mingle into the broader neighborhood. Mummy's favorite saying is " Pehenjo Ghar Guru jo Darr" ( One's home is temple itself).

I first came across Fanna -Fi-Allah's video recordings on Youtube a couple of years ago and since then, I have been a follower of their music. Unlike others, Tahir Bhai and the broader group are able to effortlessly convey to the listener the spirit of their renditions , which I consider as a remarkable achievement for someone to whom Hindi/Urdu does not come naturally. 

I end with the wonderful song " Lal Meri Pat" sung by Fanna-Fi-Allah at the shrine of Lal Shabaz Qalandar at Sehwan Sharif in Sindh, Pakistan.There seems to exist a fascinating relationship between Lal Shahbaz Qalandar who is worshiped by Sindhi Muslims and Jhule lal , a diety worshiped by Hindu Sindhis . Something similar can be seen at the temple of Mata Hinglaj Bhawani, considered to be "Kuldevi" of Hindu Sindhis, based in Lasbela district of Balochistan who is also revered by Sindhi Muslims as " Nani Mandir " (Maternal Grandmother's Temple). Interestingly, the word Sehwan originates from Sewistan or "Shiv-stan" (literally, the land of the Hindu God Shiva), being the kingdom of the last Hindu Sindhi ruler of Sindh,  Raja Dahir, which extended to the Punjab. 

No wonder that the lyrics of Lal Meri Pat include " Shahbaz Jhule Lal Hai, Qalander Jhule Lal hai". 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SihdsEzawaU&list=RDSihdsEzawaU&start_radio=1

*  Hyder Bux Jatoi, peasant leader and Sindhi nationalist wrote the above lines in 1954. Jatoi mentions three most prominent Sindhi poets, Shah Abdul Latif, Sachal Sarmast , and the Hindu, follower of Advaita Vedanta, Sami , whose words, to many, exemplify Sindh’s ‘Sufi culture’. 

This post borrows extensively from the article “Sindhis are Sufi by Nature”: Sufism as a Marker of Identity in Sindh by Julien Levesque. Complete link to the article as follows:-

https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-02464387/document

Saeen Sadhram Sahib / Sacho Satram Sect

Religious leaders, Faqeers or " Sainjan" as we popularly call them,  have played an important role within the Sindhi community. Sindh with its focus on Sufism has always been the land of saints and Darvesh. As Professor Motilal Butani had written about Rohiri ,a town in Upper Sindh - ' Oh Rohiri! Even your stones must be worshiped because in the past at one time all the saints must have passed over them, graced by the touch of  their feet." There were supposed to have been twenty-five thousand saints in Rohiri.* Mummy remembers how Nana ( Maternal Grandfather) always used to encourage them to give a donation ( however small it may be) to a Saint or a Faqeer who knocks at the door. " Faqeer Raazi Allah Raazi"  ( Saint's blessings are God's blessings) is a popular saying in Sindhi. 

 Most Hindu Sindhi households usually have an  affiliation with a "Sainjan". Whilst some still follow "Sainjan"  who have sindhi roots , others have embraced non - Sindhi religious sects in their local areas. One of the more popular Sainjan/ Sindhi religious organisation that is still based in Sindh, Pakistan is Sacho Satram sect with its headquarters at Raharki Sahib, a small town in Upper Sindh located some 100 kilometers northeast of Sukkur. Saeen Sadhram Sahib is the current sect leader. Raherki Sahib is considered to be the the birthplace of the great saint Saeen Satram Das Sahib whom  Bhagat Kanwar Ram Sahib considered as his master. 

Before my quest to better understand my roots began, I had never even thought that there would be a sizable Hindu Sindhi community in Pakistan. The reason I thought i should write about Saeen Sadhram Sahib is as I am told that this sect with its vast following among the Pakistani Hindu Sindhi community acts as a binding force to keep them all together. Dr Sunila tells me about how much influence Saeen has on the Sindhi community in Pakistan. I recently had a conversation with another  Sindhi from Pakistan who was surprised that my family is not a follower of Sacho Satram sect. 

Saeen maintains close relations with his followers  in India as well and I understand that the sect is now establishing Sacho Satram Tirathdham near Nagpur (in Maharashtra). I am told that thousands of Sindhis have  contributed to make this dream a reality.  Saints like Saeen Sadhram have played and will continue to play an important role in helping us retain our cultural heritage and keeping the community together. Saeen's Sindhi Satsangs and his constant message of retaining our unique identity by not allowing Sindhi language to die are important lessons that all of us should try to imbibe. Saeen regularly attends World Sindhi Sammelan as well.

I end with a popular rendition of " Faqeer Raazi Allah Raazi" by Sai Kaliram Sahib. I like the way he narrates the entire kalam. I do hope you like it too. Also for the interested reader, I  am providing a link to Sacho Satram (SSD) website. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnc9ASeGthc

http://www.sachosatram.com/

Stay Safe!

Jai Jhulelal. 

* :  Courtesy : Troubled Pilgrimage : A  Passage to Pakistan by Balwant Bhaneja 

Remembering Lajja Aunty

We are in the fifth week of a nationwide Lockdown in India to prevent the spread of deadly Corona Virus. The last few weeks have turned life upside down for most of us ( not just in India but across the world) . All economic activity has almost come to a standstill and in a developing country like ours, making ends meet is proving to be a challenge for vast majority of the population. The Sindhi migrant refugees are also finding it difficult to sustain themselves during these times when there are limited/no opportunities to earn a daily living. Most of these lower middle class families left Sindh to escape religious persecution. Recently, I was pleased to see a Sindhi Association  in Delhi initiating a fund collection to supply food grains and daily essentials to around 40 such migrant families staying in Jahangirpuri in North East Delhi.These families need  support and patronage from all of us to establish themselves here. As Daddy always says " Asaan hik be ji maddad n kanda seen te ker kando! ( If we ( Sindhis) don't help each other then who will).  I am glad to note that over the past couple of years, there has been a perceptible positive change in the attitude of general public towards Pakistani refugees. If you come across a refugee family , please do extend your support to them during this hour of need. 

This week also saw the unfortunate demise of Kum. Lajja Bhatia, a distinguished Sindhi singer who spent her lifetime serving the Sindhi community primarily in/around Delhi. For many decades, she was the resident singer at all events of Sindhu Samaj, Delhi diligently conducting the Aarti and singing Lal Saeen Palav each Friday and on important festive occasions. A committed student of legendary Motihar Brothers ( Dada Kan and Dewan), she often accompanied them on musical tours both in India as well as abroad. Dada Bhaneja fondly remembers that in most of Dada Dewan's duet songs, she was the lead female singer. She was also a part of the "trio" in the two USA/Canada  musical tours that Motihar  Brothers held. She passed away on 19th  April,2020 due to an illness, few months short of her seventieth birthday.

(Late) Kum. Lajja Bhatia

Mummy was saddened to hear about Aunty Lajja's death. She remembered the first interaction with her which was in early 1990s when aunty had come to our home to enquire about the challenges involved with managing a Kidney failure patient on Dialysis. Upon hearing from a neighbor that my grandfather had undergone (prior to his demise) Dialysis for Kidney Failure at Batra Hospital , she decided to speak with daddy/mummy as her father had also been advised of the same. Dialysis in late 80s/early 90s in India was a difficult procedure due to lack of enabling healthcare infrastructure. 

I last saw aunty a year and a half ago when she spent some time chatting with mummy on a sunny winter afternoon at our home while visiting the Ahuja family who stay right opposite us.

Lajja aunty was a true karmayogi who dedicated her life to serve the community. In order to preserve our cultural heritage and roots, everyone needs to play their part and Lajja aunty played this role to perfection. We owe it to individuals like her in helping us connect with our heritage and for keeping Sindhi boli alive through music and literature. I pray to Lal Saeen to rest he soul in peace.

I am sharing a couple of  photographs from the Ottawa Tour in 1985. The musical evening was organised by Ottawa Sindhi Association and Dada Balwant Bhaneja has been kind enough (as always) to permit me to share these with all of us. 

(L-R) Shyam Khubchandani*, Kan Motihar*, Lajja Bhatia*, Sugumal Bhaneja*, Dewan Motihar*

(L-R) Hari Raheja, Kan Motihar*, Dewan Motihar* and Lajja Bhatia*

This tribute will be incomplete without me sharing a link to Aunty Lajja's rendition of the classic        " Dama Dam Mast Kalander" at Jhule Lal Chaliha Evening at Sindhu Samaj in 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nurvMbvFIc4

Jai Jhuelal 

PS: Smt. Rita Tulsaney, has written a wonderful tribute for her beloved friend (Late) Lajja Bhatia on facebook. The interested reader may want to read the same as well. The link is as follows:-

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3691501960921149&set=a.457133027691408&type=3&theater

* : Deceased

COVID and Sindhi Language Day

To say that these are just difficult times will be an understatement. The last two months have posed what is perhaps the deadliest risk faced by mankind in over a century - a threat that has put our very existence into question. What started as a region specific issue has quickly spiraled into a global issue and today COVID threatens each of one us irrespective of our nationality, religion, creed, color, sex etc. Sadly, there does not seem to be any easy way out of this and it is likely we are in for a long battle against the viral disease. Here in India, we are currently under a 21 day complete lockdown which is likely to be extended by a couple of weeks as well.As on date , 199 deaths have been reported in India which whilst not a high number compared to what is being faced elsewhere in the world, does mean that lives of these 199 families have been scarred permanently by the virus. Not to mention, millions of others who have been affected directly or indirectly by the virus. In between all this, India registered the first death of health care worker yesterday , Dr Shatrughan Panjwani, a General Physician of Sindhi origin in Indore who is likely to have contracted the disease while treating patients. 

During these tough times ,what can one do but to pray to the almighty to bless us and for these tough times to end soon. I am reminded of a few baits (verses) of  Shah Abdul Latif 's which include prayers to almighty to cure the sick. I first heard these on Coke Studio Pakistan a few years ago performed by brilliant Saeen Saif Samejo who I think is one of the finest Sindhi singers around. I provide a link to his Song " Mandh Waai" at the end of the post."Daya Kar Dayaalu" as the popular Sindhi saying goes.  

wo Ala
mandho peeande moon
saajano sahi suneaato
pi piyaalo ishqa jo
sabhki samjhyo soon
saajano sahi suneaato
toon habeebo
toon tabeebo
toon ei darda ji dawa
janiba muhinje jeea men aazara ja anwa
sahiba ḍhe shifa meeyaan mareezane khe
allaaha abdul llateefo chae
bhiṭ jo ghoṭo llateefo chae
toon ei aaheen toon
saajano sahi suneaato
ji lateef
o lateef
challa sindhaṛi wasae llateef
bhalo miyaan allaaha

Oh God!
Drinking the wine of gnosis
I perceived the Beloved
Imbibing the doctrines of Love by drinking from Love’s cup
I fathomed entirety
The Beloved I perceived
You are the Friend
You are the Physician
Only You are the remedy for pain
Dearest! in my being are thousands of afflictions
O Lord, pray heal the sick and afflicted
O God! “Abd ul-Latif” says
Latif, the darling bridegroom of Bhit Shah, says
There is none but You
The Beloved I perceived
O good Latif
O Latif
May the land of Sindh remain prosperous, Latif
Good Master Allah

( English Translation copied from Coke Studio Pakistan, Season 4). 

On a separate note, today is also Sindhi Language Day . It was on 10th April,1967 that Sindhi Language was given constitutional status and was included in Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Regular readers of the blog will be aware about DD Sindhi Channel that was started last year by India's public broadcaster, Doordarshan, after years of struggle by Didi Asha Chand of Sindhi Sangat whose petition was represented by Jethmalani family ( First by (Late) Dada Ram Jethmalani and then by his son, Dada Mahesh Jethmalani). The entire petition was based on the Sindhi language having been given Constitutional status in 1967 and hence the state was duty bound to protect the language and ensure its survival given that the language is on the brink of extinction.  

I end with a link to Saeen Saif's brilliant rendition of "Maandh Wai". I hope you like it as much as I do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srM3sc7XvcQ

May Lal Saeen bless us all and the World Heals soon !