Amar Shaheed Jhamatmal Sukhramdas Hasrajani & Amar Shaheed Vasumal Pohumal Hasrajani

Author: Gangaram Shamdas Purswani

Many members of Khudabadi Sonara Community took part in freedom struggle of India and went to prison. On the slogan “You give me blood I will get you the freedom” of Netaji Subhash Chander Bose, 16 youngsters of our community , who were in foreign countries, joined Azad Hind Fauj (INA).  Shri Jhamatmal Sukhramdas Hasrajani, newly married in young age, was the only son of his mother (father Shri Sukhumal died in very young age) and Shri Vasumal Pohumal Hasrajani was only 15 years old, with none of moustache, went abroad in 1939 just before the start of World War II and worked with M/s. Dalamal & Sons in Manila (Philippines). Their trip was about to be completed in 1943, but by that time, the world war was at its prime time, Germany & Japan were advancing. Hitler of Germany conquered almost whole Europe and Japan had captured East Asia including Philippines. Freedom struggle of India was also at its top. All leaders were in prison. Netaji Subash Chander Bose was under house arrest, but was able to escape under disguise, left India and reached Germany via Kabul and later reached Japan, successfully. Netaji started going to many Asian countries, where Japan had captured Indian soldiers of English army and formed Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army), to which ordinary Indians of all casts and religions living abroad also joined. Our Jhamatmal and Vasumal, on the slogan of Netaji joined Azad Hind Fauj at Manila. Many of our relations living there tried to change their decisions unsuccessfully. On the contrary, they tried to motivate their relations to join the fauj and free India. Japan & Germany were moving forward positions. Azad Hind Fauj, with Japanese weapons and armor, advanced and captured Burma and Indian territory Andman Islands, declared independence in exile, with capital in Rangoon (Burma).

Men propose and The God disposes. The luck was against Germany, which started losing in Europe and America dropped two Atom bombs on Japan. Both countries surrendered in 1945. At that moment of time, Azad Hind Fauj was advancing and was crossing Brahamputra River in Bengal. Japan stopped sending their supplies of weapons etc., whereas English troops with Indian soldiers started attacking Azad Hind Fauj heavily and thus started regaining Burma. Azad Hind Fauj, with no reinforcement of weapons from Japan, was facing continuous heavy bombardments from English troops. It was a futile exercise for Azad Hind Fauj to fight. Azad Hind Fauj had mind of ‘Freedom or Die”, no back track. Our two sons became Amar Shaheed in Imphal (Burma). Our community is proud of Amar Shaheed Jhamatmal and Vasumal Hasrajani and Pay homage to them.