Everyone knows that late Ram Jethmalani was a legal luminary but what people do not know about him is the other side of his personality. Having seen him from close quarters, I found him to be a man of integrity, discipline and loyalty (to his profession). He had a humanitarian approach in life and his love for the people including Sindhi brethren was unparalled.
Jethmalani was a strict disciplinarian, philanthropist and always helpful to people. He was 95 when he passed away few days back. Without fail, he used to get up at 4 am every day and chant Maha Mrityunjay Mantra 100 times. Thereafter he practiced Yoga which became part of his lifestyle since younger days.
Once, he attended a Sindhi conference in Singapore. From there he had to take a flight to Jakarta (Indonesia). He had to spend one hour at Changi airport in Singapore. What he did surprised all. Jethmalani chose a corner and sat down to do Yoga. Such was his penchant for exercise and yoga.
In the morning every single day after chanting mantra and performing yoga, he used to play badminton for an hour, then discuss legal matters with his colleagues and then to the courts for his routine work.
Of course, everyone knows that he successfully fought changing and difficult cases, including the infamous Nanavati case and defended the Harshad Mehta in the multi-crore stock exchange scam. Many times, he fought cases to help people without taking professional fees.
It was entirely due to Jethmalani’s efforts in the courts that Sindhi was listed in the eight schedule of the constitution many years ago. His love for Sindhi language was tremendous.
Years later, in the Supreme Court he successfully challenged the proposed move to struck the word ‘Sindhi’ from the national anthem ‘Jan Gana Mana’. The apex ruled in his favour saying this cannot be done.
Born in Karachi (then in undivided India), his love for Sind knew no bounds. He started the movement to rename the river which flows from Leh and Ladakh into Sindhu river in Sindh. He wanted the river to be known as Sindhu Darshan.
Thanks to Jethmalani’s efforts in the Bombay high court, 850 illegal buildings in Ulhasnagar which flouted FSI violations were saved from being demolished. On December 29, 2005, the high court granted a stay on the proposed demotion.
With his friend Ram Jawhrani, he formed an NGO called “Global Sindhi Council” to help his community brethren. He also persuaded the government to introduce a ‘Jhanki’ (float) on Sind in Republic Day Parade. However, the congress government did not concede to his demand.
Jethmalani was a towering personality and had an extra ordinary legal acumen. But his love for countrymen was magnificent and people still love him and would always remember him.
(Contributed by Mr. Sunil Shivdasani – Legal Bureau Chief, Finance Intellect)
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