Saifee Villa is a mansion at 102, Thurstan Road in Colombo 03, Sri Lanka, located between Thunmulla Junction and College House, Colombo.
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His Holiness welcomed Pandit Nehru at the entrance of Saifee Villa and led him and the other distinguished visitors inside the house, where an inscription in white on a black background, dedicating the place to the nation, was unveiled, by the Prime Minister. His Holiness handed over to Panditji the title-deed of the bungalow, wrapped in an exquisite piece of gold brocade. Then the Prime Minister rested for a while, talking to His Holiness and His Eminence Mazoon Saheb while other members of His Holiness’s family, dignitaries of the Dawoodi Bohra community and other prominent invitees gathered round to pay their respects. Before leaving Saifee Villa, the Prime Minister went upstairs to see the room where Gandhiji had stayed.
His Holiness, in a letter to the Prime Minister, stated that the bungalow which he was dedicating to the nation had been purchased by him and later on handed over to the Dawat, the administrative agency of the Dawoodi Bohra community. He had been feeling for some time that the place, which had been hallowed by the glorious association of a great personality like Gandhiji and of an epoch-making event in the history of modern India, ought properly to belong to the whole nation rather than to a community.
His Holiness considered himself fortunate in being able to make the dedication ‘through the hands of a leader who has himself made a shining contribution to the struggle for freedom and who is so ably fulfilling, in letter and spirit, the great ideological mission of Gandhiji’.
His Holiness added, “I pray to God and earnestly hope that this house, with the proposed library, will radiate the light and inspiration of Gandhiji’s teaching and ever stand as a symbol of those noble ideals of love, brotherhood and communal harmony, for which he lived and died and which alone can help exalt man and preserve human civilisation.”
Referring to Dandi, His Holiness pointed out how the village had an added significance to Dawoodi Bohras as it contained the tombs of two devout ladies who were greatly esteemed by the community. “That this very village should have also become a landmark in the story of our liberation is indeed a very happy coincidence,” His Holiness stated.
As the Prime Minister left Saifee Villa, hundreds of people who had collected on the beach cheered him, and he tarried for a while to greet groups of children who were shouting ‘Chacha Nehru Zindabad’. Proceeding then to the waiting car, Pandit Nehru suddenly turned back and went up the steps once again in a gracious gesture of farewell to His Holiness who was standing...
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Saifee Villa and Museum in Dandi, Gujarat, offers a captivating journey into India's rich history. Nestled in the serene surroundings, this museum immerses visitors in the story of the iconic Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi.
The museum's well-curated exhibits eloquently portray the significance of the salt satyagraha, showcasing artifacts, photographs, and personal belongings of the leaders involved. The meticulous attention to detail creates an immersive experience, allowing visitors to feel the essence of the struggle for independence.
Saifee Villa, the historic residence of the prominent Saifee family, adds an extra layer of cultural richness. The architecture and ambiance transport visitors to a bygone era, providing a glimpse into the lifestyle of the time.
The museum's informative displays, coupled with the preserved heritage of Saifee Villa, make it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of India's fight for freedom. The seamless blend of history and architecture makes Saifee Villa and Museum an enriching and memorable...
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On the night of April 5, 1930, prior to the Salt Satyagraha, the 51st religious head of the Dawoodi Bohra community Syedna Taher Saifuddin requested Mahatma Gandhi to stay at Saifee Villa. Gandhi Ji told him that if he will stay then he can loose his banglow in future but Saydna Taher didn't hesitate to say that he doesn't mind even if he looses his banglow.
Again in 1961, Syedna Taher Saifuddin requested Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to dedicate Saifee Villa to the nation as part of the national heritage. Now The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial also stands near to Saifee Villa to commemorate this historical event.
Villa is maintained properly by Gujarat Govt but it must be given to ASI for better...
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