Jhule Lal the patron saint of the Sindhis was also known as Udero Lal from the Sanskrit word "Udero" meaning one who has sprung out of water. He is considered an incarnation of the Hindu God Varuna, the God of the Seas. In Sindhi folklore there is a story of how he saved the Sindhi community from the tyranny of the Muslim rulers. The ruler at that time (around 1000 AD) Mirkh Shah was forcefully converting the Sindhis to Islam. They appealed to Jhule Lal to help. Apparently he went to the palace of Mirkh Shah and tried to reason with him. But he wouldn't listen. So the story goes, Jhule Lal Sain waved his hand and there was a big fire in the courtyard of the king which nobody could contain. Then the King begged Jhule Lal Sain for forgiveness and Jhule Lal again waved his hand and caused the river Indus nearby to flood into the city and put out the fire.
Then he waved again and the water receded. Seeing all the these miracles the Shah bowed down to Jhule Lal Sain and became a follower himself! He stopped all religious persecutions and both Hindus and Muslims in Sindh became followers of Jhule Lal and there was communal harmony! Even today the Muslim Sindhis also worship Jhule Lal and call him Mast Kalandar. At the place where he lived in Sindh to commemorate him there is both a Hindu temple and a mosque side by side out of reverence from both communities.
"Lal Meri Pat Rakhio Bhala Jhule Lalan
Sindri Da Sewan Da Sakhi Shahbaz Kalandar
Dhamadam Mast Kalandar!"
Jai Jhule Lal!
The Sindhi Educational Society (Madras) was established in 1974. With a zealous commitment to the cause of education, it has been administering three schools and a college. The esteemed Seth P.D. Hinduja Model Senior Secondary School (CBSE), Chennai, was started in 1975–76. Following the legacy, Sindhi Model Matriculation Higher Secondary School, affiliated to the State Board, was started in 2011–2012 and the Sindhi Model School of Excellence (CBSE) in the academic year 2019–20.
Sindhi College was established during the academic year 1991–92 as a self-financing college affiliated to the University of Madras. The college was granted permanent affiliation from the academic year 2002–2003 onwards.
Sindhi College was founded under the mercurial stewardship of Shri Keshavdas J. Jashani. His noble vision was to develop the college into a citadel of higher education and fulfill a lofty mission, empowering the first-generation learners with holistic education and skills.
Sindhi College was formally inaugurated by Justice A.S Anand, the then Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, on 17th August 1991. The college is located in 15.8 acres of sprawling, lush green pastoral atmosphere on Poonamallee High Road. Far from the maddening crowd, the college is an ideal locale for the intellectual pursuits of young minds.
Hon. Secretaries - Shri Shyam R Ahuja and Shri Nandalal Pokardas were the pillars of strength of the institution. Shri Lachmandas Khushiram and J.C. Prakash streamlined the administrative matters of the college. The first principal, Dr.Veeraraghavan, was a master craftsman with a reservoir of experience manoeuvred the college to enviable heights.
Sindhis are the natives of the Sindh province of Pakistan. They are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group. The name Sindhi is derived from the Sanskrit 'Sindhu' which means "river" or "sea body" - the original name of the river Indus. In the colonial period, Sindhis migrated to different parts of the world.
They relocated to India during the partition. The partition in 1947 was one of the most significant events in the history of Sindhis. It was a turning point for the Sindhi community. During the partition, Sindh was divided between India and the newly created Pakistan. Many Hindu Sindhis who were living in Sindh were forced to migrate to India. The Muslim Sindhis preferred to stay in Pakistan, as Pakistan was created as a Muslim country. These migrated Sindhis left most of their belongings back in their homeland, as large-scale riots were going on both sides. They lost almost everything. Losing their homeland and sustaining struggles, with perseverance and determination they established themselves as successful people in the Indian society.
They have achieved prosperity wherever they settled with their natural business acumen, strong willpower, and extreme hard work. They have emerged the most successful in their respective fields. They have established reputed companies and educational institutions and immensely contributed to the economy, progress and development of the country they have settled in. They are a peace-loving community, living in harmony with society.
The Sindhis possess a distinct, rich and diverse culture and civilization. They have always maintained strong ties to their cultural roots. Their most important festival is Cheti Chand, the birthday of Lord Jhulelal.