Celebrating 60 years of Ulhas
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Posted On Friday, August 15, 2008
It=92s been 59 years of existence for the city of Ulhasnagar and its
residents, the Sindhis, who moved here after India attained
Independence say they are more than happy to have lived their life
here
The foundation stone of Ulhasnagar that was laid on August 8, 1949
As the country celebrates its 61st year of freedom, the suburbs have
one more reason to celebrate. Sindhunagar better known as Ulhasnagar
is entering into its 60th year of existence. 59 years ago, on August
8, 1949, the first and the last Indian Governor General of India, C
Rajgopalachari laid the foundation stone of this town. The new
town****p was carved out for the displaced migrants mostly Sindhis who
were beginning a new life after migrating to India.
It is a proud moment as the Sindhi community in India rose from ashes
after they migrated. Around 94,400 people took shelter in Ulhasnagar.
In 1947 the business community fought for their religion with
oppressors from Pakistan but had to unfortunately leave their soil.
Thousands of Sindhi families came to India with empty hands and
eventually etched their identity here.
Speaking of their survival, the Sindhis say they did find it difficult
initially. ''After migration we faced a huge problem regarding
survival. But being a business community, we started on our own
without waiting for help from the local government. We started selling
confectioneries and other goods which were supplied to us for our
livelihood. Some of us started tiny cottage industries, which actually
became our main income source,=94 says Prahlad Advani (80), the three
times ex-president of UMC.
Sithaldas Harchandani (72), a journalist by profession says that his
perceptions about Ulhasnagar were proved wrong after he ****fted here
in the early 90=92s. =93When we ****fted here, the only place we could
afford to buy a home was Ulhasnagar. Despite the fact that the
political atmosphere here was not sound and that the town was becoming
infamous for its illegal activities, we decided to settle here.
Ulhasnagar welcomed us with open arms. After I started working in
social and government agencies, I realized that Ulhasnagar is not as
bad as it looks. Some pockets are bad but these are not places where
Sindhis live,=94 he says.
According to some elders within the community, though they came to
Ulhasnagar with hardly any material belongings, they were here with
the lamp of culture and faith. Some Sindhi migrants had brought along
with them the Akhand Jyoti, (eternal lamp) from Peerkhet (Sindh),
which the community believes has helped and guided them to not only
survive but also flourish. The lamp was installed in a small hut like
temple on April 1948 today known as Chalio Saheb temple. The temple
attracts Sindhis from across the world. Bhagat Khanuram, the priest of
this temple says, "When we lost our home, and our belongings, we were
confident that only this lamp would guide us in future and all along
this journey has proved it.''
Today, though the town has started losing its initial ****ne, old-
timers refuse to leave the town. =93When we came here, none of us even
thought of settling in this town permanently. We were sure that sooner
or later, we would be able to go to our homes. But that was not to
happen as Ulhasnagar was destined to be our home. My family ****fted
base to America but I still can't leave this town,=94 shares up Advani.
Sindhis had brought the Akhand Jyoti from Sindh which they believe has
helped them flourish
Fast facts
30,000
The total capacity of the camps
1948
The year when this transit camp was handed over to the relief and
rehabilitation ministry till 1964 under the Government Premised
Control Act, 1954 Vithalwadi station serviced the town****p Basic
amenities like water and
electricity were provided by the Barrage Dam, Badlapur and Ordnance
Factory, Ambernath.
October 1960
When the first District Municipality was appointed under the
presidency of then MLA Nevandram Gurbani
1962
When the municipality started collecting Sanitation Tax
1963
When Property Tax was also included
1.76 Crore
The UMC budget in 1975-76
416 Crore
Today=92s UMC=92s budget
1974
The first developmental plan for
Ulhasnagar was passed
4.7 lakh
The population of Ulhasnagar according to 2001 census 60:40
The ratio of Sindhi and non-Sindhi community
13 km
Total Area of the town
1816
Per Capita Income
115 km
Roads
126 km
Underground Drainage
60
Gardens
5
Grounds
1
Swimming Pool
13935
Street Lights
Source:
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