If you are into wearing denim jeans, there is a 45% possibility that it was made in a factory owned by Sindhi possibly, in the Sindhi majoritarian township of Ulhasnagar.
It is believed that suits worn by Michael Jackson, Nelson Mandela and Angela Merkel had been stitched by Sindhis of Hong Kong.
By Rachna Dhanrajani
You may know them as papad ( (پاپڙ-eating, business loving miserly, thanks to the Bollywood’s caricature stereotyping but Sindhis are known to be one of the world’s largest business communities.
The history of Sindhis as a business community goes back to the Indus valley civilizations of Mohen Jo Daro and Harappa. From where along with artifacts and modern architectural samples, trading coins were found that gave Sindhis an identity of a peace-loving and money-making community.
Sindhis originate from Sindh situated in present-day Pakistan on the banks of the Indus River. In fact, the name Indus is an anglicized version of Sindhu which also gave rise to the words Hindu, Hindustan, and India. Hence, in 1947 when India divided, most Sindhis headed to India and identified themselves as Hindu Sindhis.
They settled in cities of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and some even in refugee camps on the outskirts of cities.
Mumbai due to the harbor is where most Sindhis settled. With all the family wealth and cultural heritage buried in the backyards of their houses in Pakistan, Sindhis started from scratch in India and soon went on to become major contributors in the field of education, law, politics, real estate, art and comedy, and even in Bollywood.
In India, major names like Rahejas, Hiranandanis, Virwanis have reformed the real estate sector. In the field of education, Mumbai’s top colleges are run by the HSNC board. Major names in Bollywood film financing are also Sindhis like the Bhagnanis, The Taurani’s of Tips Industries, Karan Johar and his mother Hiro Johar.
If you are into wearing denim jeans, there is a 45% possibility that it was made in a factory owned by Sindhi possibly, in the Sindhi majoritarian township of Ulhasnagar.
Ulhasnagar started off as a makeshift refugee camp after the city of Mumbai was at capacity to hold refugees in 1947. With a knack for business and jugaad, Ulhasnagar soon transformed into a township. Before globalization in the late 90s, Ulhasnagar was famous for producing anything under the sun for almost half the market prices and till today is one of Asia’s biggest pre-furniture, clothing and firecracker markets.
It is often joked that almost every Sindhi on earth has some connection to Ulhasnagar. It is also home to famous artists like the recent YouTube sensations – Ashish Chanchlani, Dhriven Hazari, Yesteryear’s Babita Kapoor & Sadhana, and singer Bhagwanti Nawani.
Over the years Sindhis have become synonymous to business and not just in India but around the world. In fact, it is believed that suits worn by Michael Jackson, Nelson Mandela and Angela Merkel have been stitched by Sindhis of Hong Kong.
So, there is definitely more to the Sindhi community as it is shown in Bollywood or in rather offensive jokes about the miserly behavior as there are over 200 charities run by the Sindhis around the globe.
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Courtesy: Times Now News (Writer is Assistant Producer)
