Chijgam

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Chijgam is a village located on the coast of the Arabian Sea 160 miles north of Mumbai, India. The village of Dandi, which is famous for Gandhi's salt march, and city of Navsari, which is the birthplace of the founders of TATA (India's largest business group), are located in close proximity of Chijgam. Despite limited resources in Chijgam, residents of the tiny village become doctors, software engineers, charted accountants, and the like. You can find former villagers in the USA, Canada, the UK, Kenya, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and New Zealand.

1 History
2 Religion and Beliefs
3 Geography
4 Noteworthy People
5 External links

[edit] History

Chijgam and all of its neighboring villages were massive salt producing areas for almost 200 years. The area that Chijgam is located on is separated from the Arabian Sea by approximately one mile of land.

Salt was mainly traded from the Chijgamis to the Vanzaras (the gypsy tribe of traders) for money, materials, essentials, food, and jewelry. Eventually technology advanced, and ships were used to transport salt to Mumbai. Adoption of a railroad transportation system replaced Chijgami dependence on the Vanzaras and their camel fleets. Introduction of a water canal system reduced the amount of salt in the sea (brim level) by 40%. The lack of salt eventually ended the salt business that Chijgam was accustomed to. However, canals were useful in rejuvenating farm crops and mango orchards. Despite the demise of the salt manufacturing business, the improvement of the land’s agriculture is why canals were still used. By 1975, opportunities in the diamond cutting and polishing businesses brought prosperity back to Chijgam. Meanwhile, people started to immigrate to Europe and North America. Today Canada and the Persian Gulf have the largest number of residents from Chijgam.

From the 1920’s through the 1940's, several Chijgami residents flourished in the Taadi (a semi-alcoholic drink made from the sap of Palm trees) producing and selling business. These Chijgamis traveled as far as Nagpur to run such stores and during the festival of Diwale, would return to Chijgam with great wealth. However, before returning to Chijgam, many of the businessmen would hire musicians from neighboring villages and reenter Chijgam with great fanfare and excitement. They would also hire cooks and hold extravagant celebrations and feasts. Unfortunately, during the 1930’s when Gandhi stated his support for liquor prohibition, Taadi stores went out of business.

Between 1930 through 1970, about 10% of children from Chijgam attended the only school in the district: the ***** School in Khara, Abrama. It is a commute of 8 miles from Chijgam to the school.

During the late 60’s, Chijgamis became notorious for their Kabaddi playing, volleyball playing, and fighting. Fighting often came in the form of musical competition. Chijgam’s themesong, “The Pride of Chijgam” was loudly played on a daily basis by rival local bands during what became known as a musical face-off. The band with the loudest and clearest sound often won the battle, but more often than not, competitions would end in a large fist fight between competitors.

[edit] Religion and Beliefs

A majority of Chijgam's population ascends from the Koli tribe and worships the goddess Kali (Kalimata). Ten mile pilgrimages to the Kalimata temple, Masa, during the monsoon season were common journeys made by the Chijgamis. There is also the Wageshwarimata temple and a recently constructed Rama temple. When they inhabited Chijgam, the Vanzaras frequented Rupamata and Makhanmata temples.

[edit] Geography

Chijgam consists of multiple streets: Patel Falia, Gohale Falia, Dhana Falia, Pitamber falia, Pitiye Falia, Pipal Falia, Matavaru Falia, Makle Methiye Falia (MM Street) and Dhana Falia. There is also Aagar Falia which is named after the salt collecting mud pan. Each street is named after people who contributed a great deal to the Chijgam. The village also has two large ponds: the Ram Talav and the Honiya Talav. The Kanai Creek runs through Chijgam’s Khara land.

[edit] Noteworthy People

Late Mr. Lalbhai Ravjibhai Patel, Late Mr. Chhanabhai Ravjibhai Patel, Late Mr. Ranchodbhai Ravjibhai Patel, Late Mr. Chibabhai Fakirbahi Patel, Late Mr. Ookabhai Somabhai Patel, Late Mr. Dahyabhai Somabhai Patel, Late Mr. Nathubhai Vishrambhai Patel, and Late Mr. Mangabhai Bhanabhai Patel were prominent figures of power in Chijgam. Late Dr. Dahyabhai Lalbhai Patel, who was first doctor from Chijgam, helped build roads from Chijgam to Abrama around 1947.

Mr. Vallabhbhai Lalbhai Patel, brother of Dr. Dahyabhai Lalbhai Patel, went on to become a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) in Gujarat and now resides in Boston, MA.