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 Rameshbhai Jhalla from about his journey as a migrant to the UK from East Africa.
By Ramesh Jhalla
I was born in Nakuru, Kenya, East Africa in 1938 and was educated in the Government Asian Primary School which ended in 1956 when I left Menengai High School.
At that time, Kenya was a British Colony. There were no colleges, and most of school leavers either joined the family business or became shop or office workers. Parents had a very narrow minded concept of what higher education meant to be qualified as doctors or lawyers only. Science and arts graduates were only good to become teachers.
We had a choice to join Teachers’ Training College in Nairobi in Kenya, Makrere College in Uganda, go to U.K. or enroll in any University in India.
I joined National College, (Bandra) and later I joined Nair Hospital Dental College, (Bombay Central), both of Bombay University. I qualified as B.D.S. in 1964. Worked for two years at Government Dental College, Ahmedabad. Moved to Kenya, indulged in private practice. All through school, college and later settlement period in Kenya we had no indoor entertainment gadgets. Television and videos had freshly entered houses. Computer was a glint in the eyes of scientists. All through we had plenty of outdoor life, with plenty of fresh mountain air.
I migrated to U.K. in 1982. By now, computers had entered the public field, but were still in infant stage. There were plenty of non-computer jobs in U.K. Thus I had 17 years to polish my IT, computing and related skills. After retiring 16 years ago, I am still adding new techniques to enhance my skills. I have yet to learn multi gadget (phone/camera/video/ computer/SMS etc) known as smart phone.
Extracurricular interests include: reading, travel, socialising, knowing people and volunteering as per the need and capability. In retrospect, I consider as blessing to read Illustrated Weekly of London, Illustrated Weekly of India, Africa Samachar (by Nandlal Bhatt), Film India, (all four now defunct). I read Daily Nation, Taifa, Nyota and papers of Kenya, Times of India, Blitz, and Gujarati newspapers of India.
I am admirer of Theosophy, Swami Vivekananda, J. Krishnamoorty, David Frawly, Conrad Elst, Stephen Hawkings and other thinkers of the world.
Ongoing activities: reading, writing and verbally commenting on current trends. I am grateful to Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice for providing “Readers’ Voice” and “Tamari Vaat” for such comments.
Having observed leaders of Kenya, India and U.K. I conclude that every leader has his own idea of patriotism, tempo and regard for voters. President Kenyatta stressed on overcoming colonial complex, President Moi stressed on faster pace of nation, U.K.’s leaders stress on usage of iron hand in velvet glove. Indian leaders believe in slow motion decisions but grind fine, accurate and efficient.
No words can be enough to thank my parents and other members of family, for encouragement and support. I am also grateful to leaders of three countries for smooth governance that allowed all citizens and non-citizens to prosper and maintain harmony.
