3^rd Dharmaj Day – 2009

Monday 12th January 2009 (Swami Vivekananda Birth Anniversary)

Naturally planning of the third Dharmaj Day was better because of the earlier experiences. There is a group of intelligent and progressive individuals of the village for organizing Dharmaj Day. This group is now known as “ Team Dharmaj ” have created a Dharmaj Day logo with a motto ‘ Sanghe shakti kalo yuge ’ ‹ union is strength in this Kalyug › along with a slogan ‘Proud to be Dharmajian ’ a color theme was also initiated from this year. For Third Dharmaj Day blue was chosen as a theme colour and a pandal was also of that colour. The local residents of Dharmaj also donned blue coloured clothes.

From this year the “ Team Dharmaj ” took a progressive step of inviting all the daughters of Dharmaj to this celebration.

An international level lapel pin with Dharmaj Day logo was created which became a permanent souvenir for all. Sushri Chitralekhadeviji a 12 year old gave discourses on Bhagwat from 4th – 10th January at Dharmaj. Impressed by the activities of Team Dharmaj and Dharmaj village. In spite of her engagement elsewhere she remained present on the occasion of Dharmaj Day celebrations. The function was presided over by retired Director of UNESCO Dr. Ravindrabhai Dave who is presently resident of Germany. The Chief Guest was Dharmajian Shri Chandrakantabhai A. Patel ‹ retired officer of International Monetary Fund at World Bank ›. Shri Dewangbhai Patel ‹ Ipcowala › was the Guest of Honour. At the entrance of the pandal itself paintings of important places of Dharmaj were placed to give a bird’s eye view of Dharmaj.

The main sign board at the entrance bore the legend of ‘ Dharmaj – A Village to Emulate ’. When the book with the title authored by Rajesh Patel was launched everybody became aware of the significance of the legend. The original book is in Gujarati titled ‘ Dharmaj – Ek Anukarniya Gam ’ was also released. The book presents the story of development of Dharmaj in a very simple and precise language. The preface to the book is authored by Dr. Ravindra Dave who remained present because of his emotional attachment to Dharmaj. He suggested in his speech that the Gujarati title should be changed to ‘ Dharmaj – Ek Udaharaniya Gam ’.The suggestion was accepted and the reprint has the changed title. The first edition of Gujarati book of 1000 prints was sold in first three or four days hence the reprint of 1000 copies is published. The English edition of 1000 prints is also nearly exhausted.

Probably Dharmaj may be the only village in the whole country where a book depicting the story of growth in two languages, Gujarati and English is published at a time. On the same memorable day Dr. P.G. Patel was talking about Dharmaj in an internationally organized programme at Bangalore on behalf of Dharmaj.

Dharmaj Ratna –2009 (posthumous)
Shri Chimanbahi Kishorebhai Patel 21 Jan. 1923 – 12 Jun 1990		Mr.Hemantbhai Chimanbhai Patel receiving “Dharmaj Ratna ” Award from Dr. Ravindrabahi Dave on behalf of Mr.Chimanbhai Patel.

On the occasion of the Third Dharmaj Day, Dharmaj Ratna Award was conferred on Chimanbhai Kishorebhai Patel posthumously. The award was received by his son Hemantbhai. Dharmajian Shri Kantibhai G. Patel specially came from Zimbabwe for receiving Dharmaj Ratna Award. Shri Chandrakantbhai Chotabhai Patel ‹ C.C.Patel › received his Dharmaj Gaurav Award but the same award for the freedom fighter Chanchalben was received by her grand daughter because she could not remain present due to poor health.

More than 3000 people were preset at the function.As usual the function started with prayer and cultural programme. The prayer and the programme were presented by differently able children of government recognized Arvind Viklang Shikshan Bhavan managed by Jalaram Jan Seva Trust. Shri Kantibhai Patel gave an acceptance speech while Shri Chandrakantbhai revived his childhood memories during his speech. Revered Sadhvi Chitralekhaji delivered an impressive speech during the occasion and felicitated the host of Bhagwat discourse Shri Jayesh Patel now resident of U.S.A. and native of Ajarpura with the Dharmaj Day lapel pin. Dr. Ravindra Dave in his Presidential speech talked about exemplary growth of Dharmaj.

Dharmajian Chanchalba a centenarian specially came from Karamsad on this occasion.

After traditional Gujarati dinner a cultural programme was presented by a group headed by Ms. Deepti Desai of Ahmedabad. The group presented a bouquet of old and new songs under theme “ Raga to Pop ”.

Dharmaj Ratna – 2009
Shri Kantibhai G. Patel Former Senator Zimbabwe		Kantibhai G. Patel receiving “Dharmaj Ratna” Award from Shri Chitralekha Deviji.

The friends and close associates know Kantibhai Gordhanbhai Patel as K.G. Kantibhai was born on 28th October 1928 is instrumental in putting the name of Dharmaj in international arena. His father Gordhanbhai Dhoribhai Patel had a large role in establishing the Dharmaj People ´s Co – operative Bank. KG ´s schooling was in V.N. High School, Dharmaj After graduation he went abroad. Initially he started a shop in Zambia in East Africa. Then after he served as a teacher for some time and during that period he actively participated in the freedom movement of Africa. He was an outright supporter of Robert Mugabe the President of the then Rhodesia now known as Zimbabwe. Their close relationship has continued till today. After Zimbabwe became independent he settled there only and was a Senator in that Government. He retired after 5 continuous terms as a Senator.

Even after retirement he is rendering honorary services to the Government at the insistence of Robert Mugabe and looks after his political party. He is the National Treasurer of that party. It is a matter of great pride for all of us that a native of small village like Dharmaj has reached such an important position in a foreign country. His was a major contribution in founding the first private and the only other Glaucoma Research Centre of Gujarat at Dharmaj.

Dharmaj Gaurav –2009
Freedom fighter Ms.Chanchalben Patel		Miss.Priyalben receiving “Dharmaj Gaurav” Award from Mr. Devangbhai Patel(Ipcowala) on behalf of Freedom fighter shri Chanchalben.

Known to all the Dharmajians as Chanchal Foi was born on Aso Sud Theras ‹ thirteenth day of first half of Gujarati month Aso in Vikram Samvad 1965 ›. She has completed the century of life. She was married at an age of 13 and studied only upto Gujarati 3rd standard. After marriage she migrated to Africa along with her husband who unfortunately expired when she was 17. She returned to India to her paternal house. The family was in to nationalistic movement and Chanchalben joined the freedom movement along with her cousin Raojibhai.

In 1930 she joined Dandi march lead by Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhiji and his commander Sardar Patel. She was active in the Salt Satyagraha, organized meetings, joining the rallies, distribute the nationalist brochures, picketing the wine stores and boycotting foreign goods. She was arrested in 1932 while participating in such programmes and was behind bars along with Kasturba ‹ wife of mahatma gandhiji › for a period of six and half months.

Inspired at very young age she sacrificed many youthful years of her life for freedom movement. The Quit India Movement Committee felicitated her with a Roll of Honour and an Award.

Dharmaj Gaurav –2009
Shri Chandrakantbhai Chotabhai Patel (Former Sarpanch)		Mr.C.C.Patel receiving “Dharmaj Gaurav” Award from Mr. Chandrakantbhai A Patel .

Popularly known to the friends and contemporaries as C.C.Patel Shri Chandrakantbhai was born on 28th December 1937 to Dahiben and Shri Chhotabhai Jeevabhai Patel of Fiji. From the student days he was very active in sports and games. From 1955 onwards, he participated in prestigious tournaments of the state as a player from Jawahar Cricket Club team. An aggressive batsman he was the captain of the team for several years.

Even in day to day life this peace loving and sporting man had inherited tendency for social service from his father. He started his public career as Deputy Sarpanch and served as Sarpanch from 1982 – 1995 where he was elected unanimously. He was a member of Kheda district Panchayat also. He was member of Executive Committee of Dharmaj Kelwani Mandal (Dharmaj Education Society ) He also rendered his services as Director, Managing Director and Chairman of The Dharmaj People’s Cooperative Bank Ltd. He has contributed significantly to the development of Gauchar of Dharmaj Panchayat.

He absorbed all the good qualities one can learn from field sports. And he has contributed with deep interest to the development of the town. He is Chairman of the CJ Fijiwala TB Hospital Trust and an active member of Dharmaj Bandhu Samaj, Vadodara.