Bold Beginning
Gujarat Samachar began its journey on 5th May, 1972. A properly printed tabloid newsweekly, was printed via a hand composing facility arranged in Mrs Shah’s garage. Back in those days, there was no photo typesetting available in the Gujarati language. There were 6-7 big trays with separate boxes, full of characters of the alphabet, separately stocked. The compositor had to manually pick up each character and compose the articles. Once the articles were ready to print, the compositor pressed the entire form on a papier mâché called a flong. The process was extremely arduous. Then the characters made of lead, had to be dispersed in individual boxes.
In the first few months, the five pioneers of the paper were very happy with the way the community had received Gujarat Samachar. However, they faced challenges from the competition in the field. The rival took all steps possible, mostly unethical, to create obstacles in the path of the first Gujarati newsweekly.
The UK government was facing advertisers both politically and economically. However, the earlier arrivals of Gujaratis from East Africa were settling down as best as they could.
Asian Migration in East Africa
The end of World War II saw a change in the winds for the British Empire. Its colonies eventually began to disintegrate. Earlier a steady flow of South Asian migrants were flocking towards East and South Africa in significant numbers. They enjoyed an elevated position in these countries. These migrants, who were mostly Gujaratis and Punjabis, worked as artisans, traders, or for the colonial government. A major chunk of the commercial trade in East and Central Africa was in the hands of these settlers. However, the African countries winning their independence adopted different approaches and policies for their Asian residents. Most of the states wanted the African locals to have an upper hand in the government. In their bid to compensate for the lack of opportunity under the British regime, countries like Malawi and Uganda failed to do justice to the Asian community.
Uprooted Evacuees Arrive
Idi Amin’s obstinate decision to expel the “bloodsuckers” resulted in Asian Ugandans leaving their homes with no property, and a mediocre amount of £55 permitted cash. The dictator, on 4th August, 1972, condemned the entire community, and in a span of 48 hours, issued a decree of expulsion for 60,000 Asians from the country. He also issued a second decree stating that professionals like doctors, lawyers, and teachers were to not leave, so as to maintain an intellectual base in the country. He particularly specified that those professionals who tried to leave would be considered as committing treason.
Amin’s act was his vengeance towards the British government’s refusal for financial aid after his coup. His answer was to kick out the entire community as he fully knew the British had no option but to take them in. The colonial government earlier had given two options to the Asians in Uganda prior to independence. To choose Ugandan, British or to retain their Indian or Pakistani citizenship. Most chose British citizenship for a potentially secure and brighter future.
Idil Amin’s decision to expel Ugandan Asians put the involved governments in a frenzy. Both the British and Indian government’s issued several pleas and warnings. But the dictator was adamant and Britain had to prepare for the settlement of Ugandan Asians when they reached Britain.
Earlier Britain had appealed to the Commonwealth countries to accept, if possible, Ugandan Asians. Only the Falkland Islands gave a positive response. However, no one was willing to go and live in the extreme conditions, almost 11,000 miles from the UK. Eventually some 28,000 Ugandan Asians became “Twice-Migrants”, from India to Uganda and then to UK.
The Asian community of Uganda left their homes, businesses, jobs and savings with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing.
Dispersal of Ugandan Asians
Some 28,000 refugees arrived in UK, 6000 refugees went to Canada, 4500 refugees went back to India, 2500 went to Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan. West Germany and the United States took 1000 Asian migrants each. An even smaller number of Asians went to countries such as Australia, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Mauritius, and New Zealand. Even after all the reallocations some 20,000 refugees were left unaccounted for. It is believed most of them returned to India.
Aga Khan Initiative
Aga Khan, Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Community called on his long-time friend Pierre Trudeau, the then Prime Minister of Canada. It was a win-win situation for both the leaders. Aga Khan, in exchange for security and stability of his people pledged significant resources to help his followers including a large amount of $1,000,000 as donation to the Ismaili community in Toronto. The Canadian response was both to please the British government, and show Canada’s humanitarian side.
Uganda Resettlement Board
It may be interesting for readers to know that in 1971, the number of East African Asians in the UK was 45,000. However, following the Ugandan and Malawian expulsion, and the migration of other Asians from East and Central Africa, the number of “Other Asians” in the 1981 census of UK had now gone up to 180,000.
As of 1968 there were 345,000 Asians resident in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Uganda. By 1984, according to the Miniorty Rights Group (1990), their numbers had fallen to about 85,000, which included 40,000 in Kenya, 20,000 in Tanzania, 3000 in Zambia, 1000 in Malawi and 1000 in Uganda. Recently some business people, professionals migrate there from India, Pakistan etc.
The British Government established the Uganda Resettlement Board who organised the undermentioned resettlement centres.
Offsprings of those evacuees should enquire from their elders about the conditions go when they arrived first and how the settled. To know one’s roots could be very helpful.
UK Prime Minister Edward Heath's government had a lot on its hands than just the Asians. They were facing pressure from their party and there also was the rising scream of racism to suppress. The Uganda Resettlement Board was a convenient way for the government to not get directly involved. The first flight landed on a cold windy day at Essex Airport, from where they were taken to an RAF camp at Stradishall in Suffolk. This was one of the several migrant camps the Board had temporarily made for the Ugandan Asians, until they were settled at better and permanent places.
There were a total of 16 camps set up in 1972, all of which closed down in the coming years after the occupants found better alternatives for themselves. Overall, the British neighbours and volunteers were warm hearted and very helpful.
Most of the rootless people opted to move out of the camps at the earliest opportunity to find their feet. Yet, there were families, who chose to stay back until their children completed their A level examinations with the help of facilities provided by the Department of Education. This was a proof that the refugees prioritised their children's future.
Distressed Departure
Ever since Idi Amin's declaration, Ugandan Asians were put through a series of troubles, intimidation, and hardships. I remember reading in Gujarat Samachar of that period the instances of migrants who were as it is dwelling under the apprehensions of their seemingly bleak futures, being roughed up by Ugandan troops during their last few minutes in the country. Refugees leaving Uganda were put through endless checks and held at gun point. Thugs robbed them, some women were assaulted. They were stripped of all things precious on them, including their dignity.
Things weren't exactly rosy after their arrival in Britain too. They went through health checks at the airport once they arrived and stuffed in already overcrowded centres. Racism was rampant and right at its peak. We all remember Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech given in 1968. The right wing was claiming the surge of the Ugandan Asians would destroy their economy. Those who lived respectfully in Uganda, were often addressed as "monkey", "wog", and "black bastard".
Who would believe that Leicester, which now hosts over 28 per cent of Asians in their total population, was once a no-go area for them? It was also the centre of the National Front- just a political party opposed to everybody non-white. Leicester City Council placed adverts in the papers in Uganda headlined, “Please do not come to Leicester”.
The Ugandan Asians came with almost nothing in their pockets. But they were determined to make their new beginning with hope and confidence. I look through the Gujarat Samachar archives, and read stories of how these refugees, especially women, how they started learning English. This one case in Yorkshire particularly caught my eye. There was a group of European women, who earlier lived in East Africa. They did not know Gujarati, only Swahili. And the Gujarati women in that camp were keen to learn English. Language was a big barrier to overcome. The only way for the teachers to teach English to these women was through Swahili. A reporter from Gujarat Samachar had gone to one of the camps, and remember this teacher pick up a match box, point it out to them and say Match Box. In Swahili it is called 'Kiberiti'.
There was a thirst for learning and there were genuine people around them who educated them in more ways than one. The Asians, mostly Gujaratis, started to accustom themselves in the UK. They began by doing any, even menial jobs. I have found the contribution of our women the most striking. I know one such lady, a staunch vegetarian, who overcame her moral dilemma to work in a meat shop to support her family.
By 1974, some of the community members already owned shops. It was their commitment that helped them flourish in the coming years.
There is an interesting read in The Guardian dated 2002, titled 'They fled with nothing but built a new empire'. It talks about the Ugandan Asians, several of whom now enjoy top ranks in the British community.
Centre - Date of Opening - Date of Closing - Capacity
Kensington - 6 September 1972 - 23 February 1973 - 250
Stradishall - 8 September 1972 - 24 March 1973 - 1500/2000
Hemswell - 28 September 1972 - 5 October 1973 - 950/1150
Houndstone - 30 September 1972 - 16 February 1973 - 950
Greenham Common - 1 October 1972 - 30 June 1973 - 1400/1600
West Malling - 4 October 1972 - 15 January 1974 - 840
Tonfanau - 7 October 1972 - 28 February 1973 - 1400
Heath field - 9 October 1972 - 2 February 1973 - 1100/1200
Faldingworth - 11 October 1972 - 15 May 1973 - 685
Lingfield - 13 October 1972 - 15 January 1973 - 950
Plasterdown - 15 October 1972 - 13 December 1972 - 800
Maresfield - 17 October 1972 - 28 February 1973 - 650
Piddlehinton - 19 October 1972 - 24 November 1972 - 400/500
Doniford - 23 October 1972 - 19 March 1973 - 1125/1225
Raleigh Hall - 27 October 1972 - 20 January 1973 - 430
Gaydon - 28 October 1972 - 16 July 1973 - 830
(To be continued)
