We would like to congratulate Ms Priti Patel, Secretary of State for International Development and the first female politician of Indian origin to receive India’s highest honour reserved for Indian diaspora. She is also the first such person to hold a high profile Cabinet post. This is indeed proud achievement, feather in the cap of the wider British Indian community members who are rightly considered to be hard working, highly educated and extremely law abiding Citizens of Britain, most of whom came here after East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania gain independence, especially after the army mutiny on the beautiful spice island of Zanzibar and the brutal take over by Idi Amin in Uganda.
The expulsion of Uganda Asians has proved to be a blessing in disguise for Britain, as most of us who came here penniless but settled down well, enriching our adopted motherland politically, socially, economically and culturally beyond belief.
Another pleasing aspect of unassuming East African Asian community is that they include Hindus, Sikhs, Goan Christians and Muslims, mainly Daudi Bhoras, Ithna-Asheris and Ismalis who all have turned forlorn hope upside down, risen above narrow confine and integrated well, making enormous contributions on all front.
Priti Patel is indeed a role model who will encourage younger generation to enter politics and make their mark at the highest level. Our two-dimensional politics indeed need politicians of her dedication and calibre.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
