Destination India: Junagadh, Gujarat

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Junagadh, Gujarat

A former princely state of British India, Junagadh was ruled by Nawab Mahabat Khanji and his Muslim ancestors since the time of Mehmood Ghaznavi. The Nawab decided to join Pakistan after the partition and plunged the region in financial crisis. He was forced to flee to Karachi and the Dewan of Junagadh, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto (father of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto) took charge and invited the Government of India to intervene. A plebiscite was held in which only 91 voters sided with Pakistan. India assumed control over the entire state of Junagadh in February 1948.

About Me

India has always fascinated me for different reasons. The vastness of its culture, the diversity of people’s opinions and the limitations of its vision. Despite our diversity, we need to have a collective vision. India is not a country of four metropolis or a couple of high-tech cities. This nation of a billion people has 29 states and 6 union territories. We have 35 state and territorial capitals. How much do we know about each of these important cities?

Professionally I am a graphic designer from Bombay, India. In 1987, I co-authored a book on Corporate India, but my desire to throw a wider net and pick up much more information remains intact. I want my people from every city and every state to write and photograph details and information that would be interesting to the viewers around the world. We have so much to talk about and so much to share - this medium and this technology can help fulfill our collective dreams.