Santbal A Saint with a Difference

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Navjivan Prakashan Mandir

Page 68

During his movement in this area Santbalji persuaded many persons to leave harmful habits. People now used to listen him with great respect and were greatly morally influenced by his sermons. He thus established his presence in Nalkantha area.'
Bhal Added to the Area of Activity :
Bhal area is totally barren. But for a few shrubs one does not notice any tree or greenary in long stretches of land spread miles after miles. “Bhal” means forehead in Gujarati. Since this land is as barren and plane like our forehead, it is called “Bhal”. The land is salty and is supposed to be under sea water of Gulf of Cambay several hundred years ago. It is quite adjoining the land of Nalkantha, but is at a lower level. Its main problem, even now is of great shortage of drinking water to collect which ladies of the household have to go several miles away where it is available.
Shri Amrutlal Sheth, a well-known journalist of the day, and the then Editor of the popular Gujarati daily Janmabhumi made the following statement on 8th March, 1946 while issuing an appeal for raising fund for "Bhal- Nalkantha Jal Sahayak Samiti”. (Committee for water relief in Bhal-Nalkantha) which was established by Santbalji.
He said :
"One, who has only once visited the area of Bhal-Nalkantha, would never be able to forget it throughout his life. If any tourist happens to visit this area during summer he would be convinced how thousands of men, women, children, old persons and cattle are terribly tormented for want of drinking water. The fact is that in this area, water reservoirs are locked to prevent theft of water. In this dry and barren land which stretches for miles after miles many cattle die of thirst even while they are out in search of water and travellers are rendered unconscious while crying for water.
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