Hashu Advani

In the free India along with unmatched business success, establishment of socially useful institutions like the schools, colleges and educational societies also become the signatory symbol for the Sindhi population and one name that shines better than everybody else is none other but Late Shri Hashu Advani.

Born on 22nd February 1926 at Hyderabad Sindh, Hashu went on to complete his graduation in Arts, Commerce and Law from the Bombay [Mumbai] University after the partition of the country as his family was settled at Chembur, where this smiling face, ready to help for social welfare, was the most familiar name. We at The Sindhu World feel honoured to include some of the biographical details of this famous Sindhi Politician, Social worker, Educationist and Karam Yogi born in the Sindhi Community.

In the India migrated Sindhis were in the status of dispersed population so to uplift the social standards of the community Hashu ji choose politics and was an active politician for more than three decades starting from 1960 till the time of his untimely death. In these long illustrative years Hashu ji won the elections of Bombay Municipal Corporation and represented Chembur twice.

Advani was among the active members of Bhartiya Janta Party, Since the time party was identified as Jansangh. Hashu ji also went to win elections for Maharashtra Legislative Assembly five times he also worked in the capacity State Minister for Urban Development from 1978 to 1980 and was working as Minister for Finance and Planning [from 1995] in the Maharashtra state government at the time of his death.

Surely this is a Himalayan task to find the linguistic expressions for the works and deeds of Hashu Advani, a complete humanist personality known for his dedication, willingness and efforts for the social welfare.

He was often referred as Karam Yogi. Hashu ji were not born in a rich family but went on to collect donations enough to meet with the activities of Vivekanand Education Society [conducting Crèche and Day Care Centre for children, 3 primary and pre-primary schools in Hindi, Marathi and English Mediums, 3 Secondary Schools and 2 Junior Colleges, One Degree College of Arts, Science and Commerce, 2 Polytechnics for Diploma and Certificate courses, a College of Engineering, a College of Management and Vivekini Sanskritik Niketan] from India and during his visits to other countries like England, France, Spain, Nigeria, USA, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and West Indies.

Hashu ji also founded Chembur Welfare Association, running Marathi Medium Secondary School, in the slum area of Chembur and Community Welfare Centres and Stitching classes for Ladies. He was also instrumental force and inspiration for the R. S. Tahiliani Madhyamik Vidyalaya [Marathi Medium], Smt. Vidyawati Jugilal Podar Technical Institute, imparting Computer Education and proposes to start Junior College for Commerce and Science.

Chembur Colony Yuvak Mandal, founded by Hashu Advani is running School for Hearing Handicapped Children. Shri Hashu Advani Education Academy is established to complete the educational tasks of this great Sindhi soul. On 22 July 1995 he passed away.