Dr Hansa Mehta completed her graduation in Philosophy from Baroda College and later studied Journalism and Sociology in England. Upon her return, she became President of the 'Bhagini Samaj' and was actively involved in the campaign against the Simon Commission, earning two prison sentences for her activism. She later served as a member of the Constituent Assembly, President of the All India Women’s Conference, and represented India in the Joint Human Rights Commission and the working committee of UNESCO. I was fortunate to interact with her, my Vice Chancellor when I was General Secretary of the Student’s Union.
Appa Saheb Pant and N G Gore were my closest contacts among the Indian High Commissioners. Appa Saheb hailed from a small state called Aundh in Maharashtra. His father gave away the state to the ‘Praja Mandal’ in 1924, following Gandhiji's advocacy of trusteeship. Appa Saheb was appointed as the Indian High Commissioner in Kenya in 1951 and during the Indian government support for African emancipation in terms of supplying support to Kenya African National Union of Jomo Kenyatta, which relied on funds, gifts and publicity budget. During the tumultuous days of the Mau Mau movement, which saw the deaths of thousands of Africans and some settlers, the British government, under Duncan Sandys, managed to persuade Jawaharlal Nehru to recall Appa Saheb from his position as High Commissioner in Nairobi, Kenya. It’s important to note that India at that time was not the India of 1971 or 1972, but a different country altogether.
India had no choice but to recall Appa Saheb, but after the 1971 war, Smt. Indira Gandhi, with her elephantine memory and determination, made it clear that India would stand firm on its own. Consequently, Appa Saheb was appointed as the High Commissioner of India in London. Despite initial reluctance from the British government, Indira Gandhi insisted there was no other suitable candidate. Eventually, Appa Saheb Pant was appointed and served successfully in London. He also launched the Gujarat Samachar newsweekly on May 5, 1972. He was also a unique spiritual figure, closely connected with the Dalai Lama.
Regarding Nana Saheb Gore, he was a significant inspiration to me in 1955 when I was a student activist at MS University Baroda, particularly during the Goa liberation campaign. N G Gore and others undertook a march to Goa, which left a lasting impression on me. Nana Saheb’s son-in-law, a friend from my NCC days, further connected me to him. Nana Saheb was a man of great honour. When Morarji Desai was ousted due to internal factionalism within the Janata Dal, N G Gore resigned immediately. Whenever I visited Mumbai, I would make a point to travel to Pune to visit both N G Gore and Appa Saheb Pant in those days.
Another High Commissioner with whom I had close contact was Kuldip Nayar, whose "Between the Lines" column was published in New Life, the predecessor of Asian Voice, for several years. I was close to him and his wife, Bhartiben, whose father was a prominent Congress leader during Mahatma Gandhi’s era and served as Chief Minister of Punjab in the early years of Independence.
My most significant contact was with
Dr Laxmi Mall Singhvi, who came to London in 1990. During his first week, he organised a press meeting for Indian journalists. I was deeply impressed by his insights, and shortly thereafter, an event for the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Society was scheduled. I requested Dr Singhvi to address the occasion, and he graciously accepted. He immediately agreed and addressed a meeting of 400 people in South London, and met so many leaders of our Indian communities, like Shanto Ruparel, I K Patel, B K Joshi , his son Jashwant, (his grandson Shravan, who is now the head of the planning committee of the City of London), Lord Gulam Noon, Pranlal Sheth, Kanti Nagda, Pravin Amin and others.
Dr Singhvi served as the High Commissioner in London for seven years, the longest tenure of any Indian High Commissioner or Ambassador in London. His time in London was highly impactful; he excelled in building connections with community organisations, British intellectuals, and the judiciary, and traveled extensively across the UK. I had the privilege of arranging his visits to Preston, Birmingham, Leicester, Brighton, various other parts of London and the UK. He truly was a bridge-builder. In the latter half of the 1990s, High Commissioner Singhvi and Minister for Coordination Ajit Doval formed an exceptional team.
Ajit Doval, our current National Security Advisor, collaborated closely with Dr Singhvi. I recall several initiatives from that period, including one in 1994 where Dr Singhvi suggested organising a lavish banquet to address concerns about a statement by Robin Cook, then Shadow Foreign Secretary of the British Labour Party. Gujarat Samachar and New Life (now Asian Voice) arranged the event under the Indian Councillors' Organisation with Robin Cook as the chief guest, seated between Dr Singhvi and Prof. Lord Bhikhu Parekh. During his speech, Cook provided corrective commentary on India’s democratic stance, which later sparked controversy. This event showcased Dr Singhvi’s diplomatic skills and negotiation abilities. I also had the opportunity to travel with him to Stanford University in the US for a week, where I witnessed his dedication to Indian culture and his unique blend of Jain and Hindu identity.
We should also consider the writings of William Dalrymple and Mark Tully, which reflect how the British ruled, exploited, and often mistreated India. Their works provide valuable insights into the complexities and consequences of colonial rule.
Reflecting on the legacy of India House and its key figures, help us appreciate the rich history of Indo-British relations. Their efforts went beyond diplomacy, creating lasting connections between nations and communities and deepening our understanding of shared heritage. As we celebrate their contributions, we honour the enduring impact of their works and the bridges they built between continents.