British Asians have come a very long way since their arrival in the UK. They worked hard and achieved so much to reciprocate the warmth and hospitality of the British people renowned for their open, fair and law-abiding way of life.
Paid subscribers of Asian Voice are invited to send in their journey report (up to 600 words narration) with at least 2 photographs (one when they arrived in the UK and another with their family members at the moment).
These life stories will be published without any charge in Asian Voice as a service to celebrate ABPL's 44 years as well as to put on record our sojourn for the knowledge of our younger generation as well as neighbours.
Here is another story this time by Upendrabhai Kapadia about his journey as a migrant to the UK from East Africa.
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I was very glad to read that you have invited Asian Voice & Gujarat Samachar letter-writers to the Houses of Parliament to celebrate their good work and dedication by giving them some sort of Award/Certificates and providing them an opportunity to get together and also meet ABPL staff as well! It's a novel idea for the newspaper industry!
My life at a glance:I hail from a Modh Vanik renowned Kapadia family from Ankleshwar, Gujarat which became oil-rich in the early 60's and brought prosperity to Gujarat and India! In Bharuch centre I came 4th in SSC and was selected by Modh hostel in Bombay. I did my BCom Degree, being sanguine to excel, and became an accountant of a pharmaceutical company while living in Khar. On spur of a caprice, I applied to the British High Commission where I got an employment voucher, married Ila in February 1965 and came to London in April! With spunk and spirit I found an Asst. Accountant position with VW Motors, then as a Group Financial Accountant with large Eng. Co., Accountant with Pickker International ( GEC ), Chief Accountant with Mazda Cars, etc. I too achieved a Chartered (British) Institute of Management Award! Thus my career lasted over 32 years.
Ila joined me in February 1966. Born in Nadiad, she graduated from Bombay University with Psychology, worked with Govt. War Pensions, Tele Communications. Our children are well established in their professions. Asmita excelled in banking and is Head of Communications for a top Investments bank. Pareen passed his Mensa IQ test with high score at 12, got exceptional results at all school exams and achieved Master in Aeronautics from Imperial College, London. He is now a Chartered Engineer!
We visited India frequently, had a fabulous time in the USA and Europe as well. Last year in February we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our Wedding Anniversary and also 50 years of our coming to London by hiring a limousine going all over London. As a treat to us by our loving Asmita, we partook of our evening meal in a posh restaurant in Knightsbridge! By the Grace of God we've had a good life!
Nonetheless, life is not always smooth and smiling. I have never had a day of sick leave in my life yet in 1994/5 I had a heart mitral valve repaired following which I had series of operations and serious illnesses and had my both eyes' retinas detached, now I am left with only 25% vision in my left eye. My vision is severely impaired, hence I read and write with special visual aids! During this turbulent time Ila showed immense courage and strength and inspired the children to work hard and progress.
Some times life is so brittle, cruel and uncertain, you don't know when you will fall in an abyss of difficulties and distress! It all comes like a tsunami! Now Ila's love and support keeps us going and I understand how a woman bears alone with the family silently as per our Hindu culture! Despite all this, I am happy that I have some eye sight and Ila, Asmita and Pareen still take me to shopping, cinema, restaurants and elsewhere!
As per Shri C B's philosophy, we should remember and recollect the good things in our life and recharge' for the future!
Anyway, now Ila and I are retired and in our 70s. I get courage, solace and inspiration from reading biographies of great people like Gandhiji, Sadar Patel, Nehru, GB Shaw, Tolstoy, Lincoln, etc. Also I have read the Bhagwat Gita (my mother gave me a copy before I came to London) minutely, like to write on it and spread its philosophy and intrinsic values everywhere! l too write short stories for children to make them humane and morally strong, we keep abreast of news by reading Asian Voice, Gujarat Samachar, The Times, etc. and like to write articles for Asian Voice Readers' Voice.
I have sent many dealing with world current economic, political, cultural and social issues, some are as follows: Hinduism; Yog; Gandhi's Statue in Parliament Square; Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity; Advent of Modi' Digital India; Hindu Manifesto for GE 2015, Energy Prices, Cameron's Historic EU Deal; How to tackle or solve world two biggest problems of Islamic terrorism and African and Middle-East Migration; Urgency of Security of LOC and LAC Borders; Riddle of Flight MH370, Penalty and Punishments of Crimes ( in India), etc.
This AV, GS event to award the writers will set a unique example for the news media world! Best wishes for a great success to remember!
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If you have a similar story you would like to share please send it and any pictures to CB Patel, Publisher/Editor, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar at Karma Yoga House, 12 Hoxton Market, (Off Coronet Street) London N1 6HW, or you may write to CB Patel at [email protected]
