MAKING OF

GANDHIDHAM
Collection of Chapters regarding Gandhidham township of
Kachchh, source of information is internet and some chapters
are from my personal memories
Deepak Ramchandani
31/01/2017

Chapter-1
Gandhidham day 12th February

(Foundation ceremony of Gandhidham on 12th Februrary 1948)

Soon after the separation of Pakistan from India in 1947, a large
group of refugees from Sindh of came to India. Maharaja of Kutch
His Highness Maharao Shri Vijayrajji Khengarji Jadeja on advice
of Gandhiji, gave 15,000 acres (61 km2) of land to Bhai Pratab,
who
founded
Sindhu
Resettlement
Corporation
to
rehabilitate Sindhi Hindus uprooted
from
their
motherland, Sindh in Pakistan
Sindhi Resettlement Corporation was formed with Acharaya
Kriplani as chairman and Bhai Pratap Dialdas as managing
director. The main objective of the corporation was to assist in the

rehousing of displaced persons by the construction of new

township. The first plan was prepared by a team of planners
headed by Dr. O. H. Koenigsberger, director of the division of
housing in Government of India. Subsequently plan was revised
by Adams Howard and Greeley Company in 1952. The foundation
stone of town was laid with blessings of Gandhi earlier in 1947
and hence town was named Gandhidham.
Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi lies in Adipur (Gandhidham).
Sacred ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in Kandla creek
by Achrya kripalani and Bhai Pratap Dayal Das on 12th February
1948. This structure of Samadhi encompassing sacred remains of
Mahatma Gandhi was built in 1954

Chapter-2
Bhai Pratap Dialdas:

Sindhis were homeless after partition, Sardar Vallabbhai Patel was

worried about this and he was willing to settle all Sindhis at one
place. In the Jaipur congress conference Sindhis were termed
refugees, it was objected by Sardar Patel that dont address
Sindhis as refugees. Sindhis are the business community of higher
level, they will strengthen the economic condition of India.
Sindhis are not Sharnathis but Pursharthis (Sindhis are not
refugees but hard workers)
Famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang considered Kachchh as one
of the part of Sindhu Nation. There is a village named Dahar
Nagar near Maliya-Miyana in Kachchh which is the proof of
Kachchh being part of Sindh as Dahar Sen was King of Sindh. In
the Jaipur congress conference a proposal was passed that due to

geographical, cultural and language similarities Sindhis shall be

rehabilitated in Kachchh area of Gujarat. This job was assigned to
the Sindhi Businessman Seth Prataprai Dialdas. He was good
administrator , rich and was having good business terms in foreign
countries. He was also in close relation with Nehru family. Bhai
Pratap Bialdas shifted in Kachchh with his family to develop new
Sindh in Kachchh. Bhai Pratap was foresighted person to think
about social concepts. He established Sindhu Resettlement
Corporation and he worked as the managing director of the
company.
Sindhu Resettlement Corporation (SRC) was started with
contribution of common public and shares were issued to the
people. All the administrators and workers of SRC were Sindhis.
SRC started the development of town near Kandla Port and named
it as Gandhidham. The town was developed as twin city
Gandhidham and Adipur. Bhai Pratap made efforts to appoint
engineers, workmen and labours from all over India.
The land on which the town was to be developed was barren and
covered with babul trees. There were lot of snakes, Scorpios and
rats. To reduce the nuisance of snakes and Scorpios he made a
novel offer that if anybody brings dead rat he will be given one
Anna, if he brings Scorpio he will be given four annas, if he
brings dead snake he will be given one rupee.
Bhai Pratap wished to developed the new town as per the norms of
ancient civilization of Sindh Mohan-Jo-dharo. He also planned
that his dream town shall be such that if Sindhis are around the

country or world for business or jobs, then also they will wish
that their families shall live in this township.
In this township house for each category from richest to poorest
were made, so that all types of people could live in this town
consisting of beautiful and permanent houses.
These houses were given on installment and possession of the
house was given prior to full payment also. The town also
consisted of other important facilities also.
Initially shopping center was constructed with 56 shops so that
things of day to day need could be made available to the people.
Rail and road transport between Kandla Port to Gandhidham and
Adipur for conveyance of persons going on job and business in
Kandla. The town was also connected to State highway of Gujarat.
School and colleges, broad roads with in town, beautiful pond,
gardens, hospital and health center, cultural centers, Banks and
post offices were also established.
Tolani group of college which established Polytechnic College
and principal of the college was Hari Daryani Dilgeer
Maitri Maha Vidhyala also established schools in this area.
Bevas Vani Mandir was established in the memory of famous
freedom fighter and poet Shri Kishianchand Bevas this was
presided by Dada Dukhayal.

Gandhi Samadhi was also constructed, this is the place where

ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are laid, and this is the only place other
than Delhi where ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are laid.
The work of township was completed by 1955. Now at present it
is the largest town in Kachchh.
In this township a small colony named Maleer is established
which is the residence place of singers, poets, writers and any
other personality which is engaged in cultural activity. In Maleer
many famous writers, poets, singers came and settled.

Chapter-3
Rashtriya Kavi Hundraj Dukhayal:

Rashtriya Kavi Hundraj Dukhayal was the freedom fighter who

with his poems & songs motivated for freedom movement in
Sindh. He was such a poet that during freedom movement his
songs were on lips of freedom fighters. In year 1930-31 his two
books Phansi geet and Aalap were banned and seized by
British government. These books give the indication of protest
against British government. His two songs were famous Varn
and Kulhari (tree and axe) & Aita ji aawaz (voice of spinning
wheel).
He was born on 16th January 1910 in Larkana Sindh; his mother
was Tilubai and Father Leelaram. His guru was Mahakavi
Kishanchand Bevas. He boycotted and left school in year 1921
during non-cooperative movement. In 1925 he started the business
of shroff (Business of giving money on interest); he started the
movement for benefit and upliftment of harijans in year 1934. He

was sentenced to jail due to participation in freedom movement in

year 1930, 1931, 1942 & 1945. And last in year 1948 for false
case of conspiracy to break Pakistan. He travelled fifty thousand
kilometers for Bhoodan and Sarvodya Andolan along with
Saint Vinoba Bhave and Jayprakash Narayan. After partition he
settled in Kachchh and worked for the rehabilitation of Sindhis in
Gandhidham township. He left this world in year 2003.

Chapter-4
A township with shortest addresses in
country

If somebody ask my address and if I reply that my address is

SDB-90, 370205 . The person who I reply worries that with such a
small address how could a post reach you, but no post is missed
even such small address is narrated. It is just like vehicle number
in which State, District is indicated only by numbers.
ADIPUR-GANDHIDHAM: Remembering addresses is a piece of
cake at the Sindhi resettlement township in Adipur. All it
comprises is a few alphabets and numbers. No wonder residents
claim to have the shortest addresses in the country.
Addresses like SDR69, SDX50, CBX56, TRS69, SBD4 are
common here. And, people here look for each other's houses by
these codes, which for an outsider will appear strange. But, the
code is simple for residents as they denote the type of house, the
locality and house numbers.
And, in case you are thinking that such addresses were decided
upon on someone's whims and fancies then you will be wrong.
The master plan for twin towns of the Adipur-Gandhidham was

prepared by an Italian architect Mario Baccheocci in 1949, but the

unique addresses were suggested by a group of German engineers
and planners, who lived in the township while building the Kandla
port.
The township is built for rehabilitation of Hindu population from
Pakistan, initially many people were living on rent and there was
the arrangement of purchase of houses from claim settlement
amount of evacuated property in Pakistan. The range of houses
were such that all class of population could be accommodated
from single room row house to luxurious bungalows on 800
square yards plots. Rents of the houses was ranging from one
rupee to 35 rupees in Adipur township and the same was decided
by the Sindhu Resettlement corporation. The houses were again
renamed with the address such as Nav vali ( for 9 Ruppes rent) for
CCX houses, Pandrawali ( for Rupees 15 rent ) for SBX houses.
Even today rickshaw drivers recognize with this type of names in
the Adipur township.

Chapter-5

NIRVASITESHWAR TEMPLE-ADIPUR

Shivratri is celebrated every year in a small town named Adipur

under Gandhidham Municipality in Kachchh District of GujaratIndia.
After Indo-Pak Partition to settle the rehabilitated population from
Pakistan this township was constructed. In the matter of the
Master Plan for the town, the services of an Italian Town Planner
of all-Europe repute, had been obtained in the beginning who gave
many useful ideas. The plan thereafter was developed by an Indian
Town Planner, employed by the Corporation. The basic principle
of the plan is, that the town is divided into self-sufficient districts
which are again sub-divided into neighborhood units. Each
neighborhood unit, having a population of about 10,000 people,
has its own schools, dispensaries, temples, etc. while each district
consisting of about half a dozen neighborhood units, has a district
center, consisting of markets, shopping squares, cinemas,
hospitals, etc. This principle has been greatly appreciated by all
experts. This Master Plan, as desired by the Government, was

also checked and approved by an American Town Planning

Organization whose services had been obtained under Truman
Aid Scheme.
The planning also consists of construction of Temple complex in
which Shiva temple, Hanuman temple & Maa Ambe temple were
planned to be constructed. Besides this Guru Mandir, Lal Mandir,
Laxmi-Narayan temple were also part of master plan prepared by
Sindhu Resettlement Corporation.
Construction of the temple was completed in year 1951 and Pran
Pratishtha of Shiva Idol was done, this Shiva Idol was originally
in the house of Patel family of London. Mr Patel became friend of
Bhai Pratap Dialdas who was founder of Adipur-Gandhidham
township. Their friendship began while both were travelling in
flight from Karachi to Bhuj
The management of Temple complex was handed over to Maitri
Mandal which was headed by the famous poet and freedom fighter
Padamshree Dada Hundraj Dukhayal. Maitri Mandla is
responsible of management of school in the township and in past
it also managed diploma engineering college which was latter
taken over to Tolani Foundation owned by Prabhdas Tolani. In
year 1978 Shiv Mandli was constituted and its first president was
Shri H.H.Navani, and Shiv Mandli took over the responsibility of
maintenance of Temple Complex. In year 1993 Shiv Mandli was
registered and renamed as OM Shiv Mandli.

At present OM Shiv Mandli maintains all the activities of Temple

complex and also carries other social activities, daily about more
than 300 poor persons are fed in this temple complex.
Story about Shiva Idol of Nirvasiteshwar Temple of Adipur:
According to the Shiva Puran, Daksha-Prajapati sought worthy
grooms for his many daughters, men of substance, gods who
helped life on earth, like Indra, the rain-god or Agni, the fire-god.
He was quite horrified therefore when his youngest daughter, Sati,
of her own free will, chose a hermit as a husband a naked,
ashsmeared ascetic called Shiva who had dogs and ghosts as his
companions and who lived atop a snow-clad mountain. Upset that
his daughter had married against his will, and that too to a person
so unconventional, he broke all relations with her. When he
decided to perform a grand yagna, he invited all his daughters and
sons-in law to the ceremony, but not Shiva and Sati.
The story goes that when Daksha-Prajapati refused to invite Shiva
to his yagna, Sati flew into such a rage that she burnt herself to
death in protest and disrupted the entire ceremony. A great
confrontation followed where Daksha-Prajpati and his guests saw
the fury and power of Shiva. An uneasy peace was finally
restored, with Daksha-Prajapati begging for forgiveness and Shiva
withdrawing into his cave. The story continues by the act of
Vishnu in pacifying Shiva, who was in deep grief in seeing the
half burned corpse of his beloved wife. Vishnu embraced Shiva to
pacify him. Shiva unable to part with Sati took her corpse and
wandered. The body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi fell in the

places Shiva travelled. The places where the body parts Sati
Devi's corpse fell came to be known as Shakti Peethas It is only in
crisis that the value of a Shiva is realized
The mudra of the lord Shiv Idol of Nirvasiteshwar Temple of
Adipur was of the wandering position of Shiva when the god left
Himalayas. Similar was the position of rehabilitee Sindhi-Hindu
population and all the population were in wandering stage hence
this Shiva Idol was best for Nirvasiteshwar temple of Adipur.
Hence Bhai Pratap Dayaldas requested Mr.Patel to give him the
Shiva Idol for Nirvasiteshwar Temple of Adipur.
Old memories: From childhood we use to visit the Nirvasiteshwar
temple in every Shivratri, when studying in primary school I and
my sister permanently tattooed OM on our right hand, it was
tattooed by machine and it was painful process. Every year I along
with my wife and children visit this temple but unfortunately this
Shivratri I was not available in my town and could not visit the
temple along with my family.

Chapter-6
Bhai Pratap Dialdas-Untold Story of the
suffering of great freedom fighter
In mid 1960s in Bombay, a prominent Sindhi freedom fighter
Bhai Pratap Singh was engaged in a flourishing import trade.
Since the days of the freedom struggle Bhai Pratap Singh had
close links with the towering Congress personalities then Pandit
Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel.
He had settled down in Bombay after the partition and had
worked hard to provide a home to Sindhis in Gandhidham who
were forced to leave behind home and hearth in Pakistan.
During one of the import transactions, a complaint was lodged
against him for misuse of the goods imported. An investigation
was launched against Bhai Pratap. With his resources, Bhai Pratap
was eager to have the best lawyer fighting defending him.
Bhai Pratap was acquainted with Ram Jethmalani through his sonin-law Balu Patwardhan. Ram Jethmalani was a promising young
name in the legal arena then and was called upon to handle the
case.

But the case was a little complicated and on second thoughts Bhai
Pratap thought it prudent to engage someone more seasoned in the
legal games. An older and better known lawyer was brought in to
replace Ram.
But to Bhai Prataps dismay, the experienced lawyer could not
prove Bhai Prataps innocence. Bhai Pratap was convicted and
sentenced to 18 months of rigorous imprisonment.
His higher appeal spoilt the case even further. The sentence was
enhanced to another five years!
Finally Bhai Pratap, with his contacts with Pandit Nehru filed for
a mercy petition before the then Maharashtra governor in 1962
Vijay Lakshmi Pandit.
Probably because he knew Pandit Nehru so well, his petition was
closely attended to and scrutinised. The practice otherwise was to
dump such applications in the wastebasket.
Two secretaries BB Paymaster and RL Dalal were assigned the
task of going through the files. After a thorough examination it
was
discovered
that
Bhai
Pratap
was
innocent.
He had been unjustly convicted. The clinching evidence which
could prove his innocence had been held back by the public
prosecutor.
Now that he had been proved innocent, he deserved a pardon from
the governor. Here was the hitch.
During the same period there was another case of Mr. Nanavati.

On November 24, 1961 the 34-year-old Commander Kawas

Maneckshaw Nanavati was handed a life sentence for the murder
of Prem Ahuja, his wife Sylvias seducer. It was the end of the
road for the brilliant Navy commander. His job was taken away.
For the young 28-year old Sylvia and her three children,
uncertainty stretched.
But the mercurial life of the Commander was yet to unspool an
even more strange drama. And for Sylvia, India had yet to unfold
the defining chapter in her life
In a reversal, Ram Jethmalani who had remained in the
background and helped the prosecution to nail Nanavati would
now come to the forefront and essay a role which perhaps even he
had not anticipated.
Two diverse threads would be woven to yield the fabric of
freedom.
Interest in the Nanavati case had not waned. The government was
under immense pressure to pardon Nanavati.
A large segment of people especially those from the Parsi
community felt that Nanavati did not deserve such a harsh
judgement. He was not a hardened, habitual criminal. His track
record in the services was impeccable. He had already served
some years in jail.
Earlier even in the Sessions Court, Justice RB Mehta had
observed that a nominal sentence would meet the ends of justice.

The Supreme court had held that Nanavatis life and career had
been irreversibly blighted by Prem Ahuja. And the provocation to
Nanavati was grave. But he had committed a murder and hence
the sentence.
The case had also turned into a Sindhi vs Parsi battle. Ram
Jethmalani a Sindhi was on Ahujas side and the Parsi lawyer Karl
Khandalavala, the entire communist bloc led by the highly
influential and politically well-connected Blitz baron Russy
Karanjia, the influential Parsi Panchayat on Nanavatis side.
The government was in a catch-22 situation. If it was to release
Bhai Pratap Singh, the Parsi community would be antagonised.
And pardoning Nanavati would mean antagonizing the Sindhi
community as Prem Ahuja was a Sindhi.
Someone acceptable to both the communities who could ensure
the release of both without antagonising either was needed.
The year was 1962. One fine day, Ram Jethmalani opened the
door to unusual visitors at his Panchshila apartment. Rajni Patel,
the defence lawyer in the Nanavati case (now a hardcore
congressman) and the lovely Sylvia Nanavati!
Ram was taken back. He had no inkling of the behind the scenes
story. His mind worked furiously to establish the reason behind
the visit.
Rajni Patel came straight to the point. He had come with a
propositon a government proposition.

The government was prepared to pardon Bhai Pratap and Nanavati

both.
But Nanavatis pardon had to be done without angering the Sindhi
community. And if Mamie Ahuja said that she had no objection to
the pardon, then the rest was easy.
After all she was the victims sister and if she forgave the
murderer then nothing else mattered much.
And here is where Ram had to play the crucial role, Rajni stated.
Ram knew Mamie well. Mamie had chosen him to keep a
watching brief on the case so that Nanavati was convicted.
And now Ram had to convince her to give in writing that she had
no objection to Nanavatis release.
Ram conceded. He spoke to Mamie and was able to convince her
that she had no objection to the pardon
On the same day, Bhai Pratap and Nanavati were pardoned.
Says Ram Jethmalani: The case was a turning point in my career.
Since then there has been no looking back for me.
It was also the turning point for the Nanavatis. After the release,
they left Indian shores never to return and never to be heard of.

Chapter-6
Blackout @ Gandhidham
Childhood memories of Indo-Pak war 1971
I was watching television on Saturday 23rd November , on Aaj
Tak channel a documentary of Indo-Pak war of 1971 was shown
which reminded me of my childhood memories.
During Indo-Pak war of 1971 I was just 7 years old studying in 1st
standard at Adipur-Kachchh. At that time what is war and it
consequence was not known but the first word of Blackout in
relation to the war was heard during that period.
During that time we had no holidays in the school , but it was
functioning normally and my parents even did not hesitated in
sending me to school. Out school was in resident area which was
walk able distance from my home and we used to go by foot as
there was no system of children going through auto-rickshaw. A
old lady named Kankuben use to take 4-5 children from their
home to the school and we use to return with her, she was also
working as peon in the same school. Trenches were excavated in
the premises of school and we were provided with cotton buds by
the school. On indication of some threat by whistles of home
guard and siren we were taken to the trenches and asked to sit
inside the trench with cotton buds inserted into our ears. We use to
sit in the trenches till further indication of safety appeared through
home guard whistles and siren. It was fun for us and we didnt
fear about anything.

During night time Blackout was enforced and any light

penetrating from our windows of house was restricted. We used to
cover the glasses of windows by thick cardboard and any opening
was closed by paper seals. In the normal cases bulbs of 100 watts
were used and at that time tube lights were rare in the middle class
family, but during war time 40 watts bulbs were fixed in the
houses so that there are no changes of light going out of our
houses.
There were very few vehicles in the town and which if required
were moving without lights in night time, some people even
feared smoking beedis or cigarettes in the open, my father was
working as instructor in polytechnic college and was having little
shop in which few bakery items were sold, he use to close the
shop before sunsets.
How to pass the time at night till we sleep was matter of question,
during that time a new chambers were constructed outside the row
houses which was almost accommodated with people of the area
chatting and discussion about the war, we use to watch number of
home guards moving in the town for whole night and warning
with whistles during the time of threat.
In our area our radio could catch Radio Pakistan which was
prohibited by law or otherwise which I dont remember. Even
though we tried to listen about the war from the side of Pakistan
and the news was much aggravated as per the actual loss incurred
by them.

During war many Pakistani soldiers were arrested as Prisoner of

War and on All India Radio they used to speak to their families
narrating their name and saying Khairat hai. We use to listen on
the radio and there was time slot for the POW to address to their
family members. At that time there use to be license for keeping
radios and annual charges were paid in post office and a license
book was stamped for the renewal for one year. Radios were also
equipped with antenna which was installed outside the windows
or on roof.
This childhood memory of war always remained in my mind and
where I got opportunity is tried to know about the war.
In 1983 I passed Diploma Civil Engineer and worked as Work
Assistant on daily rated basis in Kandla Port trust , I was assigned
the job in dredger which was working round the clock, the captain
of the dredger was retired military man from Navi, during the
night shift he use to narrate sometimes his experience of war.
In year 1984 I was appointed as civil engineer in water supply
department , I was in charge of Banni area which is on Indo-Pak
border. There was famous person Gulberg in Dhordo village and
people use to call him Gulberg Dada, he also narrated the situation
and some war stories and at that time there were no telephones
and communication was made by chain of humans and
transmitting message through voice to the far distance.
I pray god that nobody shall get the experience of war , but I had
drafted the memories to be read by further generation.

Chapter-7
A silent town lived on Sirens
This is the memory of a silent town Adipur located in Kachchh
Gujarat, the town was established after Indo-Pak partition for
rehabilitation of people migrated from Pakistan.
Till 1970 it was thinly populated and town was silent , at that time
there were very few vehicles and mode of communication for
public was city bus run by the Sindhu Resettlement Corporation
and train running from , and only two industries were there. One
was factory of Sindhu Resettlement corporation and one was
Spinning Mill.
Majority of the people were working in Sindhu Resettlement
Corporation, Spinning mill and Kandla Port Trust.
Day of the town starts with whistle of train at 6:45 for conveyance
of workers and officials of Kandla Port Trust, it was for second
shift 8:00 to 16:00 hours. There were total three shifts and whistle
of three trains going to Kandla and three trains coming to Kandla
was clearly heard in the entire town.
Spinning mill was running in three shifts and siren of three shifts,
tea break, lunch break was clearly heard in the entire town.
First Siren of Sindhu Resettlement Corporation could be heard at
7:45 hours which was to move from the homes so as to reach the
factory in 15 minutes. Second siren at 8:00 hours was for starting
the shift.

Siren at 9:30 was for office staff of Sindhu Resettlement

Corporation
Siren at 11:00 hours for tea break, at 13:00 hours for starting of
lunch time, at 14:30 for end of lunch time and 17:30 for end of
office time of SRC.
Last siren of SRC was heard at 21:00 hours for end of shift of
factory.
I remember that even lunch timing of Tolany Polytechnic college
matched with the schedule of SRC and on hearing siren of 13:00
hours I could assume that my father will reach home for lunch in
15 minutes. My father was working as instructor in Tolani
Polytechnic.
Similarly each family relied on one or other siren or whistle of
train.
Sirens were relied more than clocks at that time, also in many
homes clocks were missing.
This continued till the town grew and noise pollution increased
due to vehicles and many other reasons.

Chapter-7
Interaction with Shri Nirmal Vaswani
I remind myself of a day in about year 1986-87, I had passed the
Section A examinatin of AMIE-Civil and to appear for Section-B,
recommendation of Refree was required. Dairy of work
experience during last 6 months was required to be submitted and
after interview the Refree recommend to the institute for
appearing in Section-B examination.
For Civil Engineering, Shri Hari Daryani Dilgir was the only
Refree in Kachchh District. I took his appointment , submitted the
six month experience in a note form and was ready for interview.
Shri Dilgircalled me at his home where Shri Nirmal Vaswani
a senior Journalist in english news paper was already there. Before
my interview I got the great opportunity to hear the
communication between two great people.
Shri Nirmal Vaswani narreted that once he wrote a letter to the
Chairman of Kandla Port Trust by only just mentioning that the
Gandhidham is the township of immortals.
On receiving this odd letter the Chairman of Kandla Port Trust
immediately called Shri Nirmal Vaswani that what is the reason
behind writing such type of letter to KPT.
Shri Vaswani told that in the Master Plan of Gandhidham there is
no provision of funeral place and there is one place near highway
which falls in the area of Kharirohar is used for people of

Gandhidham. Kandla Port as a developer has done nothing for the

same.
Chairman of KPT asked that what is his expectation, Shri
Vaswani told that there is no water supply fascility there, and it
was expected that Kandla Port shall do needful for the same.
The Chairman readily agreed and ultimatly a pipeline from Kandla
Special Economic Zone to the funeral place was laid by the
Kandla Port Authorities.

Chapter-8
Development Plan of Gandhidham
( Source SRC website)

Bhai Pratap met the then Maharao of Kutch and requested him for
providing a land for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the
people, particularly the Sindhi community which migrated from
West Pakistan. Maharao, on the recommendation of Mahatma
Gandhi agreed to the proposal and allotted 15000 acres of land in
the eastern part of Kutch for the purpose and thus THE SINDHU
RESETTLEMENT CORPORATION LIMITED was set-up
in1948. The grant of land was confirmed by Government of India

in 1952, however, the land was subsequently reduced from 15000

acres to 2600 acres for which revised lease agreement was signed
with Government of India on 28th November, 1955.
The first Master Plan of Gandhidham was prepared by an Italian
Architect Mario Baccheocci in 1949 and some initial development
work was carried out according to the said Master Plan in District
Center I in Sardarganj. A final and comprehensive Master Plan
was subsequently prepared by an American town planning
consultant M/s. Adams Howards and Greeley whose services were
acquired by the Government of India under American President
Mr. Trumans Point Four Programmed.
The land acquired by the Corporation, from Maharao of Kutch
through Government of India in eastern part of Kutch District was
totally a barren and arid region having no facilities of any
transport system - rail, bus, etc.
Bhai Pratap who led the Institution as its first Managing Director
was a man of a great courage and vision. He took up the challenge
and started working in the land by offering a novel incentive
scheme to the people who killed scorpions and small snakes, and
so cleared the land for developing a township for the displaced
persons. His vision was clear and his thoughts were not limited to
the building of a few residential houses only. He constructed
shops and houses to ensure that the people who come in this place
do not go back and allotted the houses and shops at the most
nominal rentals/hire purchase to the people.

At the initial stage, he also developed a few business

establishments such as: RCC pipe factory and Busser Block making plant.
Spinning Mill as a subsidiary Company of the Corporation.
City Bus Service.
During the construction stage of the township GandhidhamAdipur, SRC had taken up the responsibility of: Civic services till the formation of Municipality.
Establishment of Power houses to provide electricity till the
State Agency took over.
Developed water resources by boring the tube wells at Viri
and Nagalpur and provided water supply to the people till the
Municipality came in existence.
The Corporation had undergone a few difficult periods at the
initial stage from 1948 to 1950, when the work was commenced in
this far flung, isolated and desert like area, where no material was
available and the skilled labour was being brought through boats
across Gulf of Kutch.
Again in 1954-55, the Government of India thought of abrogating
the earlier lease deed of 1952 and revised it by limiting the land
from 15000 acres to 2600 acres, and by limiting the leased period
of 99 years instead of permanent lease.

My Observations regarding development Plan: In one of the

speech of the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he narrated that if you
want to see any planned two, you must visit Gandhidham as it is
the first planned city after independence
Another important thing is that the township took care of every
thing such as Cinema Usha Talkies which was named after
the daughter of Shri Bhai Pratap.
There was a temple complex developed by the SRC which
constitute of three temples of Shiv, Hanuman and Ambema.
There is other temple of Laxmi Narayan, Jhulelal and Guru
Mandir developed by the SRC
Over all , every temple built in the township was part of planning
and officially land was allotted to these temples.
Guru Mandir even consisted of a resident quarters for the care
takers which till today even exist.
There was a Public library also and the front portion of that library
acted as the stage for drama and dance. This place is called
Natmandir. At this location the Samadhi of Bhai Pratap also
exist.
There was public bus service run by SRC.
There was power house which use to supply power to each and
every resident on the metered charges basis, but at that time it was
limited hours of supply.

There was a shopping complex run through SRC co-operative

society in which things of every household requirement were
available with economic cost.
There was provision of Fish Market and Vegetable market which
was named after Lala Lajpatrai.
There was provision of hospital which was named after Maharaja
Satyapal at Adipur.
There was block factory, pipe factory & pole factory , the product
of which was used in development and also gave employment
SRC constructed Tappar Dam which still serves water supply to
Gandhidham and it is one of the important source of water supply.
SRC constucted spinning mill, which gave employment to the
youth.
There were ample place for development of gardens in the
township.
An artificial pond named Adisar was created which was
filled through stone lined canals ment for drainage of rain water. It
consists of mechanical gates and was the good example of water
harvesting.
There was sewer drainage scheme in the planning and for disposal
of sewer, a garden was developed by Kandla Port Trust in which
vegetable and fruits were produced with the waster water. At
present it is un-utilized.

Chapter-9
Development of Education Institutes

History of the institute dates back to early fifties. It was initially

started as a vocational training institute offering six months Mistry
Course and 1 year Sub Overseer course. The institute was then
managed by SRC Ltd under social welfare department. Shri G. V.
Hingorani, Shri Raibahadur and Shri Navalkishore Kamani had
been the principal of this institute.
In the year 1961, the Management of Institute was taken by
Maitri Mandal and Institute was known as Gandhidham Civil
Engineering Institute.Offering three year diploma course in civil
engineering, this was under the guidance and leader ship of
founder principal Late Shri Hari Daryani. The course was very
much successful at that time when township of Gandhidham and
Adipur were under construction.

Over and above his success as a civil engineer and good

administrator, Late Shri Hari Daryani was a highly optimistic and
sensitive poet and had a strong sensitivity for human emotions. He
felt the need of centre of excellence of technical education in the
backward district of Kachchh, which can serve as beacon light for
the peoples not only this district but of whole of Gujarat state. He
conceived plan for full fledged diploma level college for the first
time in Kachchh district. He initiated talks with Late Shri
Prabhudas Tolani a business man from Bombay and requested
him to do something for the cause of education in the kachchh
district.
A strong need was felt for women's education in Kachchh district
and hence a full fledged Home Science Faculty as a part of
Polytechnic. Diploma in Home Science course was started in
1973. Further A diploma course in Computer Aided Costume
Designing & Dress Making was introduced in 1993. LRC
Building was constructed. A community polytechnic wing was
started under the grant from Ministry Human Resource
Development; to take up the projects of rural developments in
entire kachchh district. For development of management and
entrepreneurship quality of pass outs from Tolani Colleges, Nodal
centre for entrepreneurship and management development was
started.

Chapter-10
Photo Gallery