There are over 11,000 Sindhi families settled across Canada, says Sindhi Cultural Association of Toronto president Jai Chandwani
TORONTO: The Sindhis are one of the most enterprising Indo-Canadian communities today.
Among the earlier Sindhi settlers in Canada were Mahtanis, Hiras, Shahanis and several others. Some of them had successful businesses back in Sindh (before and after the Partition) before they came to Canada. Today, they are famous entrepreneurs, businesspeople, engineers, doctors, lawyers and so on.
According to Jai Chandwani, president of the Sindhi Cultural Association of Toronto (SCAT), there are more than 750 Sindhi families in the Greater Toronto Area and over 11,500 families settled across Canada.
He talks to Lachman Balani about the community and its premiere shrine Sindhi Gurmandir Temple in Etobicoke.
Q: First, tell us about the Sindhi Gurmandir Temple.
Gurmandir’s name was formally incorporated on January 23, 1996, and it was registered as a charitable organization with Revenue Canada on May 21, 1996.
On April 10, 2000, one acre plot of land was purchased for building the temple.Â
On July 9, 2000, we performed bhoomi puja with 108 yagnas. The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place on October 18, 2000, was performed by the late Dada J.P. Vaswani, the revered religious leader of the worldwide Sindhi community.
The temple was inaugurated on July 1, 2005, to coincide with Canada Day.
Q:Â Are there other Sindhi temples in Canada?
None.
Q: What kind of major celebrations take place at Gurmandir?
Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year), Janmashtami, Shivratri, Teejri, Gurmandir’s anniversary, Ganesh Chaturthi, Guru Nanak’s birthday, Navratras (Chaira in March and Sharad in October), Dussehra, and Diwali. Also each year, the Sindhi community celebrate Sindhi cultural day on the first Sunday of December.
We also do lots of things such as Holi celebrations, summer picnics, casino trips, Diwali ball, musical and movie nights.
Q: How are you preserving Sindhi culture in the diaspora?
Our goal is to create an awareness about our cultural identity –our Sindhiyat. Our objective is to inform and educate our next generation about our way of life, culture, civilization, values, philosophies, language, literature, history, heritage, rights and interests.
We organize cultural events to highlight a continued evolution of our unique identity. Our aim is to create a legacy for our future generations.
Various religious and cultural activities from several communities also take place at Gurmandir. Both Vedic and Guru weddings take place at Gurmandir (hence the name) and many Sindhis are also ardent followers of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.
Q: Tell us about some prominent Sindhis in Canada.
The late businessman Vasu Chanchlani was one of the most prominent entrepreneurs from our community. He was the brain behind the Global Indian Award as a founding member of the Canada India Foundation.
Then we have Arjun Jasuja who is the founder and chairman of the Sigma Group.
Dr Jagdish Butany is the head of pathology at University Health Network.
The late Ashok Chandwani was an award-winning columnist with Montreal Gazette and author of Buntys and Pinkies.Â
The Ambwani family are known lawyers.
The most famous fashionista in the Sindhi community is Mississauga-based Dinesh K. Ramsay, who is the son of the storied Bollywood personality Keshu Ramsay. He adorns the likes of Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie as well as many Bollywood personalities.Â
There are many more well-known Sindhis in Canada and the list is exhaustive. They truly are an extremely industrious community.
Q: What is it that has made Sindhis a successful global community?
Jhulelal is our most revered deity. Chao Jhulelal, beda-e-paar, sadain shaukaar! Which can be loosely translated as: Chant Jhulelal, forever successful, always wealthy.
Indeed, Sindhis are known the world over for their enterprising spirit. Ever since the1800s, Sindhis have gone to the far ends of the planet to seek their fortune – from Japan across to Hong Kong, the Middle East, Spain, Africa, the UK, South America and the US (including Hawaii). The saying was that the sun never sets on a Sindhi.
Well-known old families such as Chotirmalls, Chanrais, Chellarams and many others made their fortune even before the Partition and for any Sindhi to gain employment with them was considered a boon. They were known as the first Sindhi multinational companies.
The lion-hearted chairman of the Chotirmall-Intra group, Mr Manghanmal Udharam, built the most widespread multidimensional Sindhi company with over 50 branches all over the world. He had a famous quote to describe Sindhis:`Success goes to those who dare and act and seldom to the timid’.
Q: Finally, what are your future plans for this temple?
Currently, it is under renovation. As the community grows, we will undertake expansion accordingly.Â
(Updated: This article first appeared here on Nov 22, 2019)
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It is nice to read a write up by shri Lachman Balani in Sindhis in Canada It is wonderful to have glimpse of temple and jai Jhulelal. Sindhi words Sindhi Gur Mandir show pride of Sindhis in Canada.
It is also relevant to express that there is Sindhi Association in Ottawa and Alberta
Let Sindhi Keep flag flying
I am H N Tarachnadnai studied in Sindhi and had two papers in Sindhi and used to read papers in Sindhi i.e Hindustan and Hindwasi (now in soft form) I retired as General Manager from Reserve Bank of India and was also on the Board of ING Vysys Bank, Karnataka Bank and other companies
Presently, I am senior consultant in GMR Group (infrastructure) operating Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa a etc airports for last 25 years after retirement from RBI. I am staying in Khar West, Mumbai 400052.
I would like to have names and contacts (names, emails, mobile phone) of Some Sindhis in Alberta as my grand son is joining Alberta University for post graduation (at present final year in IIT Hyderabad)
my e mail address is [email protected] 91- 9004287464
I appreciate all of you who have introduced sindhi culture importance of sindhis ..sindhi peoples are famous for their hospitality kindness peaceful nation.loving.kind.humble.sincere with every human living in this world.their precious culture .old civilization like moen jo daro which has own importance they were most civilized and rich developed educated persons.one thing i must say on this forum that they should think about poor needy sindhi persons living in pakistan or India persons and should support them ..