Page 145 - NEW_English_Spring 7

The bonfire was by the seashore. Around six people were sitting around it, talking
excitedly. As he approached them, he observed that two of those present were sitting
there with blank expressions and wide eyes, taking in all the information that was
being thrown at them. He took his place beside an old man who had a flute with him.
‘A musician,’ thought Muninder. Seeing the newcomer, they all became quiet and a

middle-aged man began to talk.

‘Hello everyone! My name is Marshal D’Souza. I am a school teacher at the Bright Minds
Public School and the president of the Grand Treasury Museum’s Tourist Club. The
club often organises such get-togethers where locals and tourists can come together and
discuss the marvels of our history. Today’s gathering is one of the many that we’ll have
over the years. If you all stay up late, we’ll finish the complete story session. Before we
begin, I request everyone to introduce themselves please.’

Muninder was about to speak but an enthusiastic east-Asian youngster took the lead.
‘Hello! My name is Shun Sato. I’m from Japan and am here on a student-exchange

programme. I heard D’Souza sir talk about this discussion in class and after what he told
us, I decided that I’d come and listen to the tale of the ‘Indian Titanic’ myself.’
The next two were the musician and a local sailor. Madhav Kumar Kharsani was a local

musician who often performed at the museum. ‘The tale of the Vijli is close to my heart
and I am here today to share a part of its story with you all,’ said Kharsani. ‘Gopal Das
Rao was a sailor who had often heard about the Vijli from his great grandfather. He had
known Vijli’s owner and the captain, Haji Kasam, you see,’ he said.

After the introductions, Mr D’Souza indicated that Gopal Rao Das begin the tale.
Muninder quickly took out his notebook. ‘If I don’t write all this, I won’t be able to
recollect what they said.’

Here are the passages Muninder developed from his notes and information from the
internet.

Gopal Das Rao: The Sailor

The Vijli or SS Vaitarna, as it was named, was one of the
earliest steamships to be in use during the 1870s in India.
My great grandfather told my father how it was built in
Scotland and was named after the Vaitarna river which
flows north of Mumbai.
The tragedy of this ship is both sad and unique. Vijali Haji
Kasam Ni is the title of the book dedicated to this tragedy
and is named after its captain Haji Kasam. The story of Vijli
carries great significance in Gujarat’s maritime history.
Vijli mainly carried cargo and passengers between the
Mandvi port in Kutch and Mumbai. On the 8 of November, 1888, the day the Vijli disappeared, it
th
had docked in the port of Mandvi and is said to have been carrying around as many as 1200-1300
people, though the official number of people on board is said to be 703.

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