It also has Hindus and Muslims working together to manufacture inherited artistry for a living, portraying one of the finest examples of communal amity in the land of Gujarat.
Hindus and Muslims working together here portray one of the finest examples of communal amity in the land of Gujarat
JAMNAGAR: Internal resilience seems to be an unannounced motto here. The blend between tradition and modernity could not be more apparent. It also has Hindus and Muslims working together to manufacture inherited artistry for a living, portraying one of the finest examples of communal amity in the land of Gujarat. The place surely has few lessons for chief minister Narendra Modi who is fighting the most crucial battle of his life. This is Jamnagar, a vibrant town 308 kms from Ahmedabad.
Its evolution to a thriving industrial hub has its origin in the production of a very traditional surma (eyeliner), making of plastic buttons, to the famous domestic work of Bandhini sari. It is also graduating towards becoming the biggest centre of brass industry in the country. Beyond the boundaries of the old city is situated the most modern and world’s largest petroleum refinery set up Reliance, along with factories of Essar and Gujarat Fertiliser.
Though the story of individual enterprise in Jamnagar is almost the same as rest of Gujarat, there is also a key difference. The machine tools for brass and Bandhini are not bought from outside and are always local innovations. The consequent low cost gives them a competitive edge.
The entire city sleeps in the afternoon after bhapor (lunch). This is an area which was not affected during the 2002 riots and communal amity is the hallmark of the place. Nonetheless, Modi evokes strong sentiments from members of both communities. In some senses it defies conventional wisdom of electoral arithmetic. A case in the point is Ramjibhai Patel, president of Jamnagar Factory Owners association, which has a membership of over 5,000. He does not have too many kind words to speak about the performance of the Modi government.
The government has not done much the brass industry to help it compete with the Chinese onslaught. Yet, he, along with some members like Vijabhai M Sheth, are strong Modi supporters. “If he has not done anything good for us, he has also not done any harm to us. We strongly feel that Modi should get another five-year term. Modi is bigger than any party,” he says.
A Bandhini worker Narendra Bheda feels the same, though his neighbour Aslam Mustafa has a different opinion. Mustafa agreed to talk after some persuasion. “It’s true that we live peacefully. But the psychological wounds have not healed. I will vote for one who can defeat his nominee,” he said.
Outside the boundaries of the old city there are Rajput-dominated villages like Khavri, Sikka, Jala and others where people lead a prosperous life thanks to the nearby Reliance unit. Shyamal Churasama and Raja Jadeja, both Rajputs, are split on voting for the BJP. Jadeja had voted for the BJP in last elections but this time around he is “fed up with Modi for taking a demi-God status for himself.”
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