My name is Asha and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to share a bit about myself. I believe that our personal stories shape who we are, I am excited to reflect on my journey so far. Throughout my life, I have encountered various experiences that have moulded my character and influenced my aspirations.
I was born and raised in Patan, Gujarat, a city situated on the banks of the Sarasvati River and renowned for its architectural marvels such as the 'Rani Ki Vav' and the Patola. ‘Rani Ki Vav' is enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and its motif adorns the reverse side of the current ₹100 note. Patola, on the other hand, is a type of double ikat woven silk sari, and it is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and high price. A small piece of Patola is currently on exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.
I was born into a highly educated family, which bestowed upon me a strong educational and moral framework right from the start. My mother is a retired teacher, who devoted her career to shaping young minds through education. On the other hand, my father worked as an agricultural officer, bringing his expertise and knowledge to support and enhance agricultural practices. Their respective professions have had a profound impact on my upbringing, instilling in me a strong value for education and a deep appreciation for the importance of agriculture. Growing up in Gujarat exposed me to its vibrant culture and illustrious heritage, leaving an indelible mark on my identity and fostering profound gratitude for my origins.
Having completed my primary and secondary education in Patan, I was privileged to be recognized as one of the top students and a favourite of my teachers. I successfully completed my Bachelors with an electrical engineering degree from Modasa. While I aspired to pursue further studies, certain personal circumstances prevented me from doing so.
I began my professional career as a lecturer in a polytechnic college, imparting knowledge to eager students. Subsequently, I worked as a junior Electrical engineer at GEB, gaining valuable experience in my field. For a few years, I worked as an Electrical Engineer and I honed my skills through various job roles. I met my husband, Shailesh and we got married. Shailesh has also completed a Bachelor's in Engineering. Currently, I am employed as an administrator and customer representative, utilizing my skills in these roles. My husband works at an IT company.
I have been fortunate to have made numerous friends during my school and university years, and our bonds have remained strong over time. Some of my friends have relocated and settled in different states within India or even in other countries. Despite the physical distance, we have managed to stay connected through regular conversations via phone or social media. I truly enjoy engaging in conversations with my friends and relatives, whether they are in India or scattered across the globe.
Whenever I visit India, I make it a point to meet up with my friends and spend quality time with them. It's always a cherished experience to reunite with them, catch up on each other's lives, and create new memories together. Driven by a desire for personal and professional growth, I made a life-changing decision to move to the United Kingdom. Seeking better opportunities and a promising career, I embarked on a journey to establish myself in a new country. This transition required resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change.
Upon arriving in the UK, I found myself missing my native place, Gujarat. One day, while visiting a local shop, I came across the weekly edition of Gujarat Samachar/Asian Voice newspaper. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Gujarati newspaper in the UK and felt excited to read it. Without hesitation, I purchased the newspaper and delved into its contents. I appreciated the equal importance given to each section, covering various types of news for Britain, Gujarat, India, Asia, Europe, and the world. The newspaper provided detailed and comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics. Impressed by its quality, I decided to subscribe to the yearly edition, ensuring that I would receive the newspaper weekly at my home. With a simple phone call, I subscribed to the Gujarat Samachar newspaper for a year, and since then, I have been renewing my subscription every year until now. I have been a subscriber of the Gujarat Samachar weekly newspaper for over 17 years. Even in the 21st century, I prefer to read the paper copy of the newspaper. Imagine how delightful it would be if the daily edition of Gujarat Samachar were published in the UK as well.
The Gujarat Samachar/Asian Voice newspaper in the UK provides me with extensive knowledge about the news in Great Britain, including new rules, regulations, and updates. It also covers news about Gujarat, India, Asia, Europe, and around the world. One of the best things about the newspaper was the flexibility it offered. If I happened to miss any news on TV, I could catch up by reading it at my own convenience.
The Asian Voice newspaper is a highly beneficial resource for young people. It enables them to learn about Asian culture, and festivals, and gain updates on a wide range of topics from Gujarat, India, Asia, Britain, Europe, and around the world. By engaging with this newspaper, young readers can broaden their horizons, develop cultural understanding, and stay informed about important global issues.
I would like to share my past experience with Gujarat Samachar. When I was living in Gujarat, I used to read the Gujarati newspaper daily and it became a cherished part of my routine. I eagerly awaited the arrival of the newspaper every day, and it was always a joy to receive it from the paper boy at our doorstep. I made it a habit to read the newspaper before starting my daily activities, as it kept me informed about the latest happenings. On the rare occasion when the newspaper didn't arrive or was delayed, I would eagerly wait for its arrival, feeling a sense of anticipation. I vividly remember one incident when the newspaper was delivered to our home, my sister and I rushed to grab it. In our excitement, we accidentally tore the newspaper from the middle. Such was our enthusiasm for reading Gujarat Samachar.
We always prioritise speaking Gujarati at home, even while living in the UK. It has been a constant practice for our family to converse in Gujarati within the household. Consequently, when my sons were born, they naturally learned Gujarati as their mother tongue. Even now, with one son in A-level and the other in year 8, they continue to speak Gujarati at home.
My elder son, Rishi achieved an impressive Grade A in the Gujarati GCSE exam and my younger son, Darsh also attends a Gujarati class on a weekly basis, where he is one of the top students in his class. Furthermore, my older son remains dedicated to his Gujarati language skills by reading the Gujarati newspaper every week. In fact, he goes a step further by writing and reading an article in Gujarati. Their commitment to preserving and enhancing their Gujarati language abilities is truly commendable.
Another benefit of subscribing to the Gujarat Samachar/Asian Voice newspaper is that it includes additional publications at no extra cost, such as the Diwali Magazine, Business Magazine, Calendar, and various other magazines. This provides readers with a diverse range of content beyond the regular news sections.
One aspect that particularly stands out about these newspapers is the dedication to running many campaigns that benefit the Indian/Asian community, especially the Gujarati community. A notable example is the campaign for the direct Air India flight from London to Ahmedabad. Previously, efforts were made to establish this route, and the current focus is on the relocation of the Air India flight from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport for the direct Air India flight from London to Ahmedabad. The newspaper actively raises awareness and supports initiatives that have a positive impact on the community.
I always make it a point to give all my old newspapers to the salon where my husband goes for his haircut, which is run by his Gujarati friend. This way, people waiting at the parlour can have something to read and enjoy the newspaper during their waiting time.
Personally, I strongly believe that as Gujarati parents, it is crucial to ensure that our children learn Gujarati, enabling them to read, write, speak, and understand our mother tongue. There are numerous benefits to this. One significant advantage is that when our children visit Gujarat, they can effortlessly communicate with our people and fully enjoy their trip. By having a command of Gujarati, they can connect with their roots, engage in meaningful conversations, and immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Gujarat. It fosters a sense of belonging and enables them to form deeper connections with our community and heritage.
I always remember Pramukh Swami Maharaj's most impactful sentences, which are as follows:
“Bhasha Jase to Sanskar Jase”, which translates to- “ If we lose our language, we will also lose our culture and our values.”
