All eyes are on the official unveiling of the largest cricketing stadium of the world. One hundred and ten thousand capacity and all sorts of and all sorts of classy bells and whistles in this state-of-the-art facility await both India and England teams. Son of Home Minister Amit Shah who is BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s baby (and not to take credit away from others). Place truly looks enchanting.
However, this blog is not to sing paeans of Motera stadium as it is called. This is to talk about Gujaratis, the host of this wonderful stadium. This is a tribute and recognition for the culture, for the people, for the achievements of one particular tribe that has truly become a melting pot of all cultures. For decades, Gujaratis or Gujjus as they are called, have extended their reach in assimilating in various cultures of the world and likewise, have accepted many cultures in their fold.
Zoroastrians who are popularly known as Parsis fled the shores of Iran following religious persecution and seeked refuge in the kingdom of Jadi Rana, the king of Sanjan in Gujarat. Jadi Rana put forth his conditions and how the Parsis were blended in the culture is no less than a folklore. Parsis have kept the name of Gujaratis flying highest with their superior business acumen and their philanthropic nature. Five out of top ten-fifteen businesses have had Parsi origins and are known for their operational excellence.
Muslims who had their origins in the Arabia, arrived in Indian subcontinent and formed their base in various regions but where Gujarat had it different was apart from the regular Urdu speaking Sunnis, the large state of Gujarat got its own three additional flavors of Muslims – Dawoodi Bohras who were prevalent in Mumbai and South Gujarat who believe in the leadership of Syedna and his forefathers and successors, Ismaili Khojas who have their allegiance to Aga Khan and his predecessors and Memons who have their origins in Kutch or Sindh (now in Pakistan).
Likewise, there are Gujarati Christians (mostly by adopting the religion) and are trying to balance the religion and the powerful yet unique culture of Gujarat. One may ask why there are no Jews in Gujaratis and my answer would be Gujaratis are the Jews of India with their similar acumen and razor sharp focus when it comes to business. To say it in jest, there are no Gujju B’ahais either and it is made up by calling Gujju men as Bhais. (pun intended)
Gujaratis, with Patels being the poster children have made the world their own territory much before Thomas Friedman said World is Flat, gujjus have been world travelers and they have transcended the borders much before that. They have had their colonies in East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (before being driven out by Idi Amin). Advanced countries like UK and US have welcomed them with open arms and they have obliged by controlling a significant portion of the motel or the convenient store business. Almost 35-40% of the motels in United States have a Patel as the owner and the gujju community have contributed to the small businesses in large number of countries. Sometimes, there is a joke that when the space travel becomes a commonplace and reality, the first grocery store on any of those planets or moon would be owned by a Gujju.
Mumbai/Bombay has been the hub for Gujaratis rightly as the business capital of India and the trader community has thrived there. Likewise, for the bourses where the gujjus have always made their playing field. Gujjus have been at the forefront in the political leadership as well and the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had his origin firmly rooted there. Not just Mahatma Gandhi, Gujarat is the only region in the world that can boast of not just having one but two Father of the Nations – both for India and Pakistan (Mohammed Ali Jinnah was from Gondal). Current prime minister and India’s first home minister the man credited with unifying India’s princely states and current home minister have called Gujarat home.
This is tribute to the state and the people which have now achieved another first in the world by having the largest cricket stadium and have continued to raise the bar for others with their continued innovation and commitment to the businesses across the world. Gujaratis have truly been the melting pot of all cultures be it at home or away.
