THAT'S WHAT MAKES US SINDHIS
by - Ranjit Butani
In the last issue of Prerna we had presented Ram Buxani in the section “In the News” releasing “Taking the High Road” on September 10 at the India Club, Dubai.
At that time I had not read the book, which I did subsequently, and I feel compelled to share my views with you regarding the contents.
At the outset, it is a beautiful, free flowing, lucid account of his life – an autography which is weaved along with the history and growth of Dubai which Ram calls his home — as a matter of fact to a large Sindhi diaspora, where he first set foot in 1959, while still in his teens at the tender age of 18.
The early chapters ‘Childhood’ and ‘Growing Up in Baroda’ covering his childhood in Hyderabad (Sindh) and growing up in Baroda, post partition, depict the upheaval and turmoil the Sindhis experienced on account of partition.
The book also puts into proper perspective the often incorrect perception about NRI’s. The circumstances that made him leave his motherland; the trials and tribulations he had to endure and finally surmount with the help of sheer guts and determination; living and working under extremely adverse conditions in the earlier years, without electricity and air-conditioning, depending on his own legpower to commute; the sacrifices made being separated from his family for a great part of his life, and especially being away from his wife for the first 18 years of married life – missing out on the wonderful times of being with his kids during their early years –all these are typically representative of circumstances and experiences the Sindhi community encountered due to partition. Indeed life has not been a bed of roses for the Sindhis in general and the NRI Sindhis in particular.
In short Ram Buxani, has seen it all – the highs and the lows and succeeded in crafting the destiny of his choice with his totally focused approach. In his last chapter ‘Older And Much Wiser’ he says “I find myself wanting to rid of clutter and find great enjoyment in solitude. Not in loneliness, because I am never lonely……” He seems to have reached the point in life where there’s more of introspection, accompanied with a sense of fulfillment, contentment, calm and peace, and lack of any turmoil.
Written in English, I strongly recommend this book to the Sindhi youth who through this book will gain invaluable insight into our culture and traditional lifestyle and get some clue about the SINDHI PERSONALITY AND SINDHIAT.
Maybe sometime in the future Sindhishaan will produce a TV serial based on this book which reflects typically the ordeal of partition, the struggle for survival, the ‘junoon’ to succeed and be able to excel, prosper and keep our heads held high in ‘Shaan’.
THAT’S WHAT MAKES US SINDHIS, DEAR FRIENDS.
