GIRISH SHARMA - Preserving Rich Indian Legacy Orkut’s many communities of numismatists would be thankful to Mr. Girish Sharma for his dedication and love for preserving not only Indian but many other nations’ history. Girish has a very huge collection of coins and other antiques. He serves as a Regional Secretary of Indian Coin Society, also President-Central India Numismatic Society and Local secretary of numismatic society of India. I am lucky to catch Mr Girish and took his precious time for answering some of my questions. Girish can you please tell us about your family background and your education? My ancestors were from royal Rajpurohit from Jodhpur state. They came to M.P. long ago and settled here in a remote village. I learned our traditional past from my forefather and learned cast supremo and great epigraphist late G.H. OJha. I completed my science post graduation from Holkar Science College Indore in 1975. I represented Indore University in various debates, drama and cultural competitions .I was a popular radio programmer and very popular student leader also. As a disciple of Loknayak Shri Jay Prakash Narayan was sent to prison under the emergency rule M.I.S.A…I spent 19 months in jail for the cause of democracy in India. The whole nation was suffered tyranny of late Mrs. Indira Gandhi. I became a hero of Indore when I released from prison. I lead the people in elections and appointed state general secretary of ruling Janata Party. How did you become a numismatist? Since when did you start collecting? My late mother always keeps a box with her which is opened once a year on the festival of Deepawali. In 1973, when first time I saw the Pooja material of that box, I found there many old coins inside. I asked my mother about those coins. She told me these are from very old times in our family. This is the capitol of your ancestors. Our entire family chief added some coins every year in this collection. There were some precious stones, ornaments also in the box. I was amazed to see this huge collection. I examined all coins. Coin of Magdha, silver punch marked is oldest one. More than 6000 coins I counted and took photographs. This was my very first lesson of Numismatics. Now as a family chief I am the keeper of that valuable box. What else do you love to collect apart from coins? I am very much fan of our national heritage and attracted to our ancient ruins, rivers and pilgrim centers. I started collecting ancient coins, archaeological items, terracotta arts, Tamra Patra, seal and sealing, paintings and beads etc. I am having a good collection of Dinosaur’s and wooden fossils. More than 50000 Match boxes and match labels are also in my collection. I am regional secretary of Indian Coin Society and a grand numismatic event “Money Mela 2008” was organized by me at Indore on 21-23 Sept.08. Which is the oldest coin you have in your collection? Coins in ancient India began from Vedic ages. The “Nishka” was the very first coin of India. It is called as the “Rig Vedic” money just small gold object, is oldest in my collection. I have coins of Taxila, Maurya, Indo- Greeks, Scythian, City states, Mahishmati, Kushana, Gupta, Mughal, Princly states. You have crossed the 100000 of coins in your collection, what is next? Coin collection is an endless hobby .No body could claim that he had collected all coins of his own nation. Our India had ruled by many Kings, Mughal and Persian Emperors, Nawab, states from BC 5000 therefore one life is insufficient for INDIA COLLECTION. I collect till my last day of life and before that I will establish a grand hobby museum at Indore. This will provide all numismatic material to new comers and scholars. Indian culture and civilization is among the oldest in the world, there are many archeological sites which are still not preserved or protected, what do you like to say on this? Do you think it’s because of the government or it is because of lack of awareness among citizens? I visited many unexplored archaeological sites in the area of river Narmada in central India and found coins of some unknown kings and ancient tribal states .I informed to concerning authorities but they all busy in their own businesses. I trained some villagers to save the sites and remains .Govt. must take proper security for such areas. Organization like INTACH is totally in hands of ex raja’s and very high rated selfish fellows. Fund for preservation of heritage site is being misused by NGO’s . Lots of coins, especially those which are unique and oldest get auctioned and probably fetch millions of dollars. Did you ever tried to sell any of your collection? I am collecting since 35 years and never sold a single coin. Contrary I bought many rare ancient coins from abroad through internet auctions. These extremely rare coins are “Nigma”, Vatsawaka, Taxila and many rarities of ancient India came back to India on my own costs and expenses. I purchased coin from every corner of the world and India. Who are the other famous numismatists in India? I am very lucky that our state and city is famous for academic studies in Numismatics and my self having honor of working with many great numismatists late Dr. Vakankar, Dr. Nagoo, Dr. H.V. Trivedi and Dr. Ajaymitra Shastri. Presently I feel proud of working with Dr. S.K. Bhatt, Pro. C.S. Gupta, Pro. Devendra Handa, Dr. Dilip Rajgour etc. What is your ultimate goal in life? Sarve Bhavantu sukhina: Every human on earth be happy, healthy and wealthy” Who is your idol? Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan, the man who taught me fighting against the tyrant power. He was a light house in the dark nights of emergency. The most unforgettable day in your life? 25 June 1975 the day of my arrest under MISA. Any message for our readers? “Save our heritage” “Daro mat..maroge nahi”. Don’t fear you will not die.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 19:34:10 +0000
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