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Thursday, April 9, 2026
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Gujarat Giants

Vithalbhai was supposed to be the nation-builder & Vallabhbhai the family provider

The two brothers developed an understanding: the elder Vithalbhai would devote his time to public service and Vallabhbhai would earn money to support both families.

Karsandas Mulji led & won the most famous fight against Gujarati Vaishnavite leaders in 1862

A Vaishnav himself, Karsandas showed how priests exploited women sexually. It led to the Maharaj Libel Case, the 'greatest trial of modern times since the trial of Warren Hastings'.

Gujarati botanist Jaykrishna Thakar gave plants Hindi, Marathi, Sanskrit names. No Latin

Jaykrishna’s extensive collection of botanical samples was displayed to the Viceroy and other guests of the Kutch state and became a source of pride for Gujaratis.

Tribhuvandas K. Gajjar, the Gujarati chemist who cleaned Queen Victoria’s marble statue

Gandhi wrote in Navjivan that only Dr. P.C. Roy and Dr. J.C. Bose could be compared to Gajjar in terms of contributions. However, Gujarat did not remember him fondly.

Gujarati archaeologist Bhagvanlal with little English, lot of Sanskrit helped British read edicts

While this was a noteworthy achievement from an archaeological perspective, it was just a matter of passion for the Gujarati scholar who never thought of archaeology as a career.

Cocaine, Jinnah, films, azan call—Visami Sadi set benchmark for Gujarati photo magazines

Founded and headed by Haji Mohammed Allarakha Shivji, Visami Sadi was published monthly between 1916 and 1920. It's content and visuals remain unparalleled.

Gujarati poet Krishnalal Shridharani’s thesis was ‘gospel’ for American civil rights activists

Shridharani ‘took the mysticism out of Gandhianism and instead provided a Gandhi of pragmatic action or realpolitik.’

Soviet-inspired animal universe that charmed Gujaratis—Hariprasad Vyas’ Bakor Patel stories

Vyas' Bakor Patel stories had catchy Gujarati titles with special typography and drawings; the original black and white sketches bore the signature of Tansukh, an artist from Surat.

Gujarati Dalit Kanjibhai Rathod was Bollywood’s 1st professional director, made 50+ silent films

Kanjibhai Rathod’s film Bhakta Vidur echoed the atmosphere of the Non-cooperation and Khilafat movement in India under MK Gandhi’s leadership.

Narsinhbhai Patel, Gujarati radical with DIY book on bombs denied God, called marriage a fraud

MK Gandhi read Narsinhbhai Patel's books during his imprisonment and praised him for speaking his mind.

On Camera

Trump’s fanboys in BJP are now proved wrong. Lesson here is to never personalise diplomacy

The only thing our deeply divided world can agree on is that Trump is a menace. Indians who once sang his praises have now turned viciously against him.

Data centre gold rush risks blackouts, central electricity body warns states against tripping grids

India’s fast-growing data centre sector may strain state electricity networks; Central Electricity Authority has urged Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu to boost capacity.

Western theatre against Pakistan to be headed by IAF, Northern theatre under Army to focus on China

India's military to get Vice Chief of Defence Staff along with one Theatre Commander from each of three services, it is learnt.

China insulated itself against energy shocks. India is ‘all talk, no walk’

China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.