Hindus and Buddhists consider ‘108’ as a sacred number, significant in most religious festivals and offerings.
There are 108 beads to the ‘Mala’ or Garland, counting of which is stated to bring Divine bless. Vedic chanting prescribes 108 as the ideal number, while there are 108 names for Hindu Deities.
According to the Science of Astronomy and Astrology, the distance of Sun from Earth divided by diameter of the Sun and the distance of Moon from Earth divided by diameter of Moon is equal to 108.
Many Hindus in New Zealand acknowledge the Divine significance of 108.
The Number also played an important role in the life of Anjinesh Kumar, owner of Valley Fruit and Vege Limited on Sandringham Road, Auckland.
Tracing roots
Since his childhood, the 35-year-old Fiji born (Sigatoka) Indian was keen to trace his family roots in India, connect with his immediate relatives and establish his identity. Several trips to India over the past many years were unsuccessful but with each visit, Anjinesh and his wife Archana became more determined to reunite with their kith and kin.
“There are 12 ‘Jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva in India and we have thus far visited eleven of them. Our eagerness to learn more about Hinduism took us to many other Temples and places of historic importance. At each of these precincts, priests and others would inquire our place of origin. While we did not have any answer, our desire to meet the members of our families grew stronger year after year,” Anjinesh said.
He learnt that Lallu Bimal, his great, great grandfather (from his mother’s side), a native of Amberpur in Uttar Pradesh, arrived in Fiji in 1902 aboard the Ship Fazlika.
He was an indentured labourer under the infamous Girmit System.
He settled in Taidem, Lautoka, where he worked in the sugarcane farm.
Anjinesh obtained a copy of the ‘Immigration Pass’ issued to Mr Bimal from the Archives in Suva last year. Thereafter, it took him and his wife several hours of search to find out the exact location of Amberpur. When they learnt it was 130 kms away from the Holy City of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, they felt blessed.
That was the first step towards a successful journey to India in December 2010.
Emotional Union
Reaching their destination, they realised that the name of the village alone was insufficient.
Anjinesh and his family knocked on doors, inquiring if anyone had heard of ‘Lallu’ or ‘Bimal’ who had left for Fiji more than 100 years ago.
Their efforts were not fruitless. Soon they were taken to the home of Ramkumar and Saroj Kumar Yadav, grandsons of Charu, who was Lallu’s brother.
His initial apprehension proved wrong when the family gave them an emotional and warm welcome.
“They were so pleased to see and introduce us to their mother (Lallu’s daughter-in-law). She kept saying, ‘Hamar Nati Ayes Hai.’
“We met the entire family, visited their farm land, where they grew sugarcane, potatoes and other vegetables. After five hours of family reunion, we drove back to Varanasi, in time to take our flight to Delhi and Auckland,” Anjinesh said.
Understandably, that was the most enjoyable holiday that he and his family have had to their homeland. The visit also helped him to obtain a link to his mother’s family.
Further search
Anjinesh said that he would continue to inquire about the members of his father’s family.
“My great, great grandfather from my father’s side was Tahal Jewan, who arrived in Fiji on June 11, 2010 aboard S S Santhia. He hailed from Basti District (Thana).
“Archana’s great, great grandfather was Gholar Raghu, who arrived aboard S S Mutlah. He also belonged to Basti District (Thana).
“We will be grateful for any assistance in locating the members of these families in India or anywhere else in the world,” Anjinesh said.
