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Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande, son of Mr. Lacmicchande Aracchande and Mrs. Kasturbai Jamnadas, is a personality dear to our community, both in Diu and Inhambane. He recently celebrated his 95th birthday on the 11th of September, 2021. He is married to Mrs. Kusumkumari Karamchand, with whom he has three sons and two daughters, namely, Jitendra, Mahesh, Piyush, Lakshmikanta and Cumudi.
(a) Mr. Tulsidas with his wife and children. (b) Piyush, Jitendra and Mahesh. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jitendra Tulcidas.
Mr. Tulsidas’ academic education began in 1933 at the age of 7 at the Pani Bai school in Diu, at which he continued his education until his completion of the sixth grade in 1939. His father lived in Diu for many years, until moving to Mozambique after receiving a three year employment contract with travel costs paid for by the employer. Mr. Tulsidas began his professional career in 1941, working for Sheth Ramchand Dharamci's company, before moving to Mozambique in 1942, at the age of 14, to join his father, who worked as a clerk in the aforementioned firm belonging to the Nagar Sheth family. Mr. Tulsidas later worked for the Harilal Tricamji & Company, owned by Laldas Kisordas, a merchant from Diu. This company was based in the southern city of João Belo (modern-day Xai-Xai), in front of the vast lowlands near the mouth of the Limpopo.
Four years later, Mr. Tulsidas moved to Lourenço Marques (modern-day Maputo), where he resided for two years before returning to Diu to get married. On the 15th of July 1948, he started working at Sheth Jamnadas Vanmali’s dispensary 'Drogaria Salus Populi', located in Panchwati. In 1949, he returned to Mozambique, settling in Inhambane, until the 6th of January, 1955, when he once again returned to Diu where he worked for Mr. Tulsidas Naguindas’ company 'Hathichhap Cement'. On the 13th of May, 1956, he returned to Inhambane aboard the Lúrio, a famous Portuguese ship.
(a) Mr. Tulsidas with his wife and children. (b) Jitendra with his siblings, Mahesh, Cumudi and Piyush. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jitendra Tulcidas.
In 1960, Mr. Tulsidas built his house, with a commercial store on the ground floor, in a period of 8 months. When India annexed its Portuguese territories in 1961, Mr. Tulsidas was in his period of leave between contracts, residing in Diu, and working in the Taxes department of the Portuguese administration. He turned down an offer of permanent employment at the State Bank of Saurashtra as it would require him to rescind his Portuguese nationality, which he did not wish to do. In 1963, he was already in Mozambique when his father passed, and his family joined him, after which his youngest daughter was born.
Mr. Tulsidas’ family aboard his Mercedes-Benz 220S. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jitendra Tulcidas.
In his life, Mr. Tulsidas has had many interesting experiences, such as the one in which, while being President of the Hindu Community of Inhambane, he met the Mozambican President, Joaquim Chissano. Another was the time when, a few days before the independence of Mozambique, during the so-called 'Digression from Rovuma to Maputo' (in which the future President, Samora Machel, crossed the country from north to south), his own Mercedes 220S was requested by FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) for Samora Machel and Armando Guebuza to use to visit the district. At the time, it was the best car in Inhambane.
Between 1963 and 1970, Mr. Tulsidas owned three cars, specifically a Datsun Bluebird, Mercedes-Benz 220S and Hillman. Furthermore, in partnership with Mr. Ibrahim Ismail Musaji, he and Mr. Tulsidas bought a fishing trawler, although the partnership came to an end after only three years, when the business was transferred solely to Mr. Ibrahim.
Mr. Tulsidas celebrating his ninetieth birthday with his family. From left to right, Mr. Tulsidas was accompanied by: daughter Lakshmikanta, wife Kusumkumari, son Mahesh, and daughter Cumudi. Photo courtesy of Jjitendra Tulcidas.
In 1975, Mr. Tulsidas was elected president of the Hindu Community of Inhambane, the Hindu Sarvajanik Sabha Association, which was a position he served until 1990. His prominent place in the community is portrayed through his many years of undertaking this role. Upon nationalisation, the government took over the temple hall in which the community gathered and opened a municipal library in its place, leaving Hindus with no space left to practise their worship. With the passage of time, there was a change in the temperament of communism. In an attempt to recover the hall and its adjacent rooms, a meeting was held in Maputo, in which Mr. Paresh Lauchande Vaghela wrote a speech that proved to be effective when, after a few efforts with the local governor, the temple and its adjacent rooms were returned to the community.
In 1981, it was decided that the temple required renovation, and so it was extended to an adjacent private allotment belonging to Mr. Almeida, which he kindly offered for the benefit of the community. Mr. Vitoldas Aracchande brought three marble idols from India. They were of Shri Lakshmiji, Shri Radha and Shri Krishna. For their installation, a dome was built in the temple and Prana Pratishta was performed by the brahmin, Shri Shantilal Shukal. In 1982, with everyone's cooperation, the temple gained a new appearance. Every Sunday, a recitation of the Gayatri mantra was held in the temple during the mornings, and in the afternoons, the community gathered for devotional chants, bhajan kirtan. On Saturdays, however, the Mahila Mandal held recitations of the Hanuman Chalisa. Additionally, the organisation's founding day, the 15th of Shravan Shukla, was celebrated with great joy by the community, with young people participating in plays, dances, songs and music, and a group of ladies preparing the meals. Due to a lack of brahmins, Mr. Tulsidas would sometimes perform cultural ceremonies and weddings for the community.
During the Consul of India’s official visit to Vilanculo, Maxixe, Homoíne, Morrumbene, and at the invitation of the Governor of the Province of Inhambane, José Pascoal Zandamela, Mr. Tulsidas, as president of the Hindu Sarvajanik Sabha Association, participated as an interpreter. Mr. Tulsidas was also invited to conventions and other events, in which he had the opportunity to meet the President, Joaquim Chissano, the Governors of the Province of Inhambane, José Pascoal Zandamela and Francisco João Pateguana, the President of the Municipality, João Macuamule, the Secretary of the Tax Department, José Almeida, the President of FRELIMO, Tomás Augusto Salomão, and many other official entities. At conferences organised by government entities, Mr. Tulsidas was responsible for organising cultural activities for them, and for reporting on the activities conducted by the association. The community members, from the elderly to the children, provided immeasurable support.
(a) Sweet moments! (b) Mr. Tulsidas during the celebration of his ninetieth birthday. Cheers! Photo courtesy of Jitendra Tulcidas.
Moreover, a group of young people formed a musical ensemble and asked the Hindu Sarvajanik Sabha Association for permission to perform in the community hall. Mr. Tulsidas, along with Mr. Ariscrisna Parmanande, supported and encouraged this youth initiative. To their delight, the programme was very successful and was warmly received by the entire community
In 2000, Mr. Tulsidas published a booklet containing the rituals of Gayatri Yagna, Gayatri Chalisa, Arti, Thal, and Stotra. This publication was distributed by the temples of Inhambane, Maxixe, and Xai-Xai, as well as sent to Homoíne, Morrumbene and Massinga.
Booklet containing the rituals of Gayatri Yagna, Gayatri Chalisa, Arti, Thal, and Stotra.
The Hindu Sarvajanik Sabha Association honoured Mr. Tulsidas for his valuable contribution to the community with an event, in which a group of ladies prepared different delicacies, and presenters paid their tributes with kind words, for an hour and a half, in appreciation of his contributions, which ranged from the foundation of the Sabha to the repair work carried out on it thus far. This occasion is still remembered with great affection today.
(a) The charismatic Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande. (b) Mr. Tulsidas with his sons, Mahesh and Jitendra.
Beginning a new chapter of his life, Mr. Tulsidas returned to Diu in 2001 to remain indefinitely. On the 12th of July, 2002, he was elected President of Shree Diu Vanza Gnati, a position he kindly accepted with a promise of assistance by community members. The committee was made up of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, accountant, and event organiser, among others.
(a) Mr. Tulsidas in a moment of relaxation, accompanied by Mr. Duarchandas Emichand and Chetan Mohanlal, during the yagna on the day of Chaitra Shukla Ashtami. Photo courtesy of Mr. Kirtikumar Amratlal Solanki. (b) Mr. Tulsidas playing music during Holi festivities, accompanied by other distinguished members of the Gnati. Photo courtesy of Mr. Hasmucrai Amarchande.
In the year 1976, Mr. Tulsidas and his wife, accompanied by their neighbours, Mr. Paresh Amarchande and Mrs. Jiotsna Puspaceno, travelled in their Peugeot car to Beira and from there, by air, to Quelimane, Nampula, Porto Amélia, Ilha de Moçambique, Nacala, Tete and Malawi.
Mr. Tulsidas with the then President of Diu Vanza Darji Samaj UK, Paresh Amarchande, during his visit to the United Kingdom, where with his presence he honoured the celebration of the second anniversary of Diu Vanza Darji Samaj UK. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jitendra Tulcidas.
In 2007, the following elections were held, where he was elected vice president, while the role of president was handed on to Mr. Duarchandas Emichand. On the 8th of May, 2008, the foundation stone, Bhumi Puja, was laid for the construction of the new community facility on Naida Road outside Zampa. Mr. Ganpatlal Daramci, also an active member of the community, voluntarily directed the construction operation.
Mr. Tulsidas and his wife have made several trips to Asia, Africa and Europe. In 2018, he was in the United Kingdom where, with his presence, he honoured the celebration of the second anniversary of Diu Vanza Darji Samaj UK.
Mr. Tulsidas accompanied by his wife and members of the community during the second anniversary of Diu Vanza Darji Samaj UK held in 2008 in Bracknell, UK. From left to right: Mrs. Jasmini Canacsim, Dr. Kirancumar Ariscrisna, Dipac Canacsinh, Babita Champaclal, Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande, Mrs. Kusumkumari Karamchand, Mrs. Jiotsna Puspaceno, Mr. Paresh Amarchande and Mr. Jitendra Tulcidas. Photo courtesy of Jitendra Tulcidas.
Post by Dipac Canacsinh
To me, Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande is a unique personality. I had the privilege of living near him for 30 years, but our relationship did not conclude at family member and neighbour, as together we also shared leadership responsibilities of the Hindu community of Inhambane. He was a great example as a president, as well as a person, from whom I had the opportunity to learn a lot. He has always been very thoughtful and respected. I am happy to be able to share in this biography my tribute to this incomparable personality, Mr Tulsidas Lacmichande. - Paresh Amarchande
I feel extremely happy and honoured to have had the opportunity to write this article. We look upon Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande with admiration, a person with a passionate, cheerful and friendly personality. This is a tribute to Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande, who at the reverent age of 95, continues to be an inspiration to our community. - Dipac Canacsinh
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Mr. Tulsidas Lacmichande, who at the request of Mr. Paresh Amarchande, kindly provided personal information in Gujarati for this article.
My gratitude goes to Mr. Jitendra Tulcidas for providing me with most of the photographs. I would also like to thank Mr. Piyush Tulcidas, Mr. Kirtikumar Amratlal Solanki, Mr. Hasmucrai Amarchande and Mrs. Jiotsna Puspaceno for supplying me with the rest of the photographs.
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my daughter, Diya, for the technical support provided throughout the development of the article.