Store window in Hawaii decorated for Indian independence
August 15, 1947 – Jhamandas Watumull’s store in Honolulu, Hawaii posts a sign that reads “To Celebrate India’s Independence, August 15, 1947 - Friday, The Watumull Stores Extend Open House. Refreshments Served. 10% Discount On All Purchases. Entire Proceeds of Today’s Business Will Be Donated to Indian Charities.”
Jhamandas Watumull was the son of a brick contractor in Hyderabad, Sindh and moved to Hawaii in 1914 after a short stint the Philippines. He opened his retail store in downtown Honolulu and it flourished, selling raw silk goods and “aloha shirts” on the island. Eventually, it grew into a major department store with additional branch stores in Waikiki and the downtown Honolulu area.
Snapshots of Indian-American history from SAADA.
Sindya N. Bhanoo writes the Observatory column in the Science section of The New York Times. She is also a board member of South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA). This column’s material is from SAADA. https://www.saadigitalarchive.org/.
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
