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Tuesday, September 30, 2025
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Gujarat Giants

Indulal Yajnik — beer-drinking ‘fakir’ & nationalist who started anti-Congress politics in Gujarat

Indulal Yajnik’s life was filled with dramatic twists and turns, from working with MK Gandhi to becoming one of the forerunners of anti-Congress politics in Gujarat.

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.

On Camera

Bodoland poll loss a wake-up call for Assam BJP. Zubeen’s death puts CM Sarma in a tight spot

Assam CM can’t celebrate that the Congress drew a blank in the Bodoland Territorial Council polls in 2010 as well as 2015, and bagged only one in 2020.

Market regulator SEBI clears Adani Group of impropriety alleged by Hindenburg Research

SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.

Aerial warfare analyst Tom Cooper faults India’s military PR, says Pakistan does it better

In post on social media, Cooper narrated experience of MiG-21 researcher from Germany who wanted to attend aircraft’s farewell ceremony in India, and the roadblocks he faced. 

Something’s hidden in the Oval Office photo of Trump, Munir, Sharif. India must look closely

What Munir has achieved with Trump is a return to normal, ironing out the post-Abbottabad crease. The White House picture gives us insight into how Pakistan survives, occasionally thrives and thinks.