Santbal A Saint with a Difference

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

Page 69

One pot of water costs four annas and one who sells at this rate has to walk miles together in blazing heat of summer in open land without a shade; and even after this, he gets dirty and turbid water from a stagnant pool."
All the social and economic evils stated above regarding Nalkantha were present even in Bhal. However, Santbalji gave priority to the water problems.
Establishment of “Water Relief Committee" :
One Jivrajbhai and his family members were ardent followers of Santbalji. Jivrajbhai died of cancer and his sons were expected to spend fairly good amount after performing obsequial ceremonies. One custom which was and is still prevalent among Hindus is to arrange a feast some days after the death. Reformists have always resisted this custom. Sons of Jivrajbhai were planning to spend Rs.7,000/- in the said feast. But Santbalji could prevail upon them that the best way to perpetuate the memory of their father was to donate this amount to water relief work proposed to be started under the name of Bhal-Nalkantha Water Relief Committee which was established in 1943. The sons agreed and the name of their father Jivraj was associated with the said Committee. But, though the sum of Rs.7,000/- was not considered a paltry amount in those days, the work of the water relief was so gigantic that much more finance and Government co-operation were required. Appeals were made to the public and Government and after many tiresome efforts and arduous work put up by Santbalji and his colleagues, the Government sanctioned water pipeline scheme which was availed of by 75 villages. These efforts covered the period from 1943 to 1951. The history of the efforts would cover practically the whole of this book. But the point is that this supreme human efforts which resulted in saving the lives of hundreds of human beings and animals was made by the inspiration and ettorts of one man – a Jain Saint who was
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