Karachi is a city with a population of about three to three and a half lakhs. A person who encounters more people gets to know people possessing many specialties
[Editor’s Note: This is Part 28 (Eminent Personalities – Part – 1) of a series of articles based on a pre-partition book named “મારી સિંધ યાત્રા” (“منهنجي سنڌ جو سفر”) in Gujarati authored by a scholarly Jain sadhu Shri Vidyavijayji, narrating his experiences of Journey and his Stay in Karachi for about 2 and a half years between 1937 and 1939. It would be advisable to click on the Introductory Article and read it to better understand the series. – Nasir Aijaz, Editor Sindh Courier]
Vimal Shah, Mumbai
Eminent Personalities
Everyone in this world has some or the other specialties. Human nature is such that each person would possess at least one quality that would be to a lesser extent or not found in other people. Even a person with thousands of vices would possess some or the other quality. One would-be scholar while the other would be well-behaved; One would be a sweet talker while the other would be a tactician; One would be service-oriented, while the other would have religious instinct; One would be evidently honest while the other would be bright. One would be ascetic without renouncing, while the other would be truthful; Someone is a good orator, someone is a writer, someone is a poet, someone is an author, someone is an economist, someone is a scientist; Someone naturally possesses musician art, someone is a dancer; One has mathematical brains while the other has astronomical. One is a good actor while the other is a good magician. Thus, we find people possessing different potentials and specialties among the human masses.
Expression of Impossibility
Karachi, as mentioned before, is a city with a population of about three to three and a half lakhs. A person who encounters more people gets to know people possessing many specialties. The readers can themselves imagine how many prominent people with one or the other specialty mentioned above, out of a population of three lakhs, a sadhu like me would have encountered, to whom – happy or sad, ascetic or voluptuous, ill or healthy, poor or affluent, wise or fool – everyone is free to meet, and who do not hesitate to go among – Jains or non-Jains, Parsis or Jews, Hindus or Musalmans – rather they consider it their duty.
Everyone is free to meet, and who do not hesitate to go among – Jains or non-Jains, Parsis or Jews, Hindus or Musalmans – rather they consider it their duty
It can be easily understood how difficult it is to introduce innumerable eminent people here or even classify them. Not only that, but there is also an apprehension of doing injustice to some friends and eminent people. Despite that, the way this book would remain incomplete, and I would always feel guilty for concealing my feelings if I remain silent about certain close acquaintances and those who have well impressed me. And therefore, I feel it is appropriate to briefly introduce a few of the many eminent people in my acquaintance who possess the qualities mentioned above, and I have a great amount of respect for them.
This High Priest of Parsis is not only popular among the Parsi community, not only in Karachi but all the communities and across almost all the nations internationally. He is an amazing scholar. Among Parsi Priests known as ‘Dastoor’, very few personalities are familiar with the interpretations, beyond the text of the scriptures. Dr. Dhalla is a deep learner of their scriptures. As desired in a true Philosopher, he possesses wider knowledge of all the religions and is not limited to Parsi. His books are published across Europe and the Americas and are studied respectfully. The Parsi community holds him in very high respect. There’s a scope for many reforms in the Parsi community. Dr. Dhalla manifests many things through his discourses and books. He is an M.A. and Ph.D. He is a ‘Shams-ul-Ulema’, and possesses a high degree like Litt.D. The presence of an eminent personality who in addition to being the High Priest of religion, is such a scholar and popular, is like a feather in the cap of Karachi. His full name is Dastoor Dr. Manekji N. Dhalla.
If you see a single body, long coat, simple pants, simple cap on the head, pure swadeshi attire, a little tall, peaceful face, nectar in the eyes, and considerate personality sitting quietly in a corner of a congregation, then he is the real citizen and saviour of the people in pain, Jamshed Mehta. If you see a philosopher as described above without any facial or bodily expressions, explaining the ‘Spiritual Element’ in the Theosophical Society in simple language without any exaggeration or hypocrisy, he would certainly be Jamshed Mehta.
How popular is Jamshed Mehta? How much does he work for the people in sorrow? How he spent his entire time serving the people? If you are interested in knowing all these, go through his daily schedule, he is not free for even a minute. After getting up in the morning, praying, and doing daily chores, once he gets out at seven in the morning, he would be busy serving people and nothing else until he goes to bed at night. You can say Jamshed has dedicated his wealth worth lakhs of rupees to the service of people and almost become a Faqir. A sick in need would go to him for medicines, and a widow in need would go to him for the means of livelihood, grains, and clothes. If there’s any dispute between communities, without asking Jamshed would be appointed as the arbitrator. If you must collect donations in the event of drought or earthquake nothing can be done without the leadership of Jamshed. If any social organization is struggling with funds, the management would think ‘Let us all go to Jamshed’. If an unemployed wants a job, he would knock on the doors of Jamshed at seven in the morning, irrespective of whether he knows him or not. Today whether events of Joy or sorrow, Jamshed and only Jamshed is everywhere. People go to Jamshed for the work of any religion, community, or domain. The Jamshed of Parsis has today become the Jamshed of the entire Karachi. All the time people would be following Jamshed like buzzing honeybees. Jamshed would be standing strong with inexhaustible patience even if a honeybee stings. Only Jamshed has been blessed with the boon of not losing the balance of mind even in terrible situations. He has turned his life into an ideal one while being a bachelor. Despite being a Parsi he is leading his life like a staunch vegetarian. Many times, he has started a Jihad against mutton, fish, and eggs in the diet of Parsis. He keeps miles away from immorality and dishonesty. Many events of his life are evidence of this. Institutes take pride in proposing the name of Jamshed without asking for the post of President. Jamshed is a staunch opponent of hypocrisy. He has an aversion towards organizations that do nothing more than hang a signboard. He is prepared to adopt any proposal and dedicate his energy-mind-money where practical work is being done, and eager to spend his valuable time for such organizations. His holy life attracts anyone.
He keeps miles away from immorality and dishonesty. Many events of his life are evidence of this.
He has developed, decorated, and made Karachi famous by being the President of the Karachi Municipality for 12 years in succession. His well-wishers wonder – How would a true service-oriented and non-pretending Jamshed be adjusting while being a part of the Legislative Assembly full of politics? Many people think he can serve the world better if he stays away from such institutes.
[Note by Vimal Shah: Jamshed Nusserwanji Mehta (1886 – 1952). He was elected a councilor of the KMC in 1918 and served as President of the Corporation for 12 years from April 1922 to October 1933. He was the first elected Mayor of Karachi from 1933 to 1934 and is still remembered as the “Maker of Modern Karachi” (Baba-e-Karachi). Jamshed Memorial Hall, named after him, is located on M. A. Jinnah Road, Karachi]
(Continues – Read the 29th part on Sunday Aug 13, 2023)
Click here for Part-I, Part-II, Part-III, Part-IV, Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII , Part-VIII , Part-IX, Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII, Part-XIII , Part-XIV, Part-XV, Part-XVI , Part-XVII, Part-XVIII , Part-XIX, Part-XX, Part-XXI, Part-XXII , Part-XXIII , Part-XXIV, Part-XXV , Part-XXVI, Part-XXVII
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About the contributor of the series of Articles based on the book
Vimal Shah is a follower of Jainism by birth and is based in Mumbai, India. He is a Computer Engineer and holds a Diploma in Jainology from Mumbai University. He has an immense interest in reading, writing, studying, and teaching Jain Philosophical subjects. He conducts classroom as well as online sessions on Jain Philosophical courses. He continues to study various subjects and remains a student of Jain Philosophy. He has significantly contributed to the Translation Project of the ‘Compendium of Jainism’ from English to Gujarati – an initiative of the JAINA India Foundation. He is also associated with a Project for the translation of Jain Aagams (Scriptures) from Gujarati to English. He has a special interest in the history and preservation of the Jain Heritage in Pakistan. He was part of a Delegation of the Jain Heritage Foundation, New Delhi that visited various Jain Heritage Sites in Pakistan in May-2023.
