“ज्योत से ज्योत जगाते चलो, प्रेम की गंगा बहाते चलो,
राह में आये जो दीन दुखी, सब को गले से लगाते चलो..”
(Light a lamp with another, flow with the river of love,
Embrace have nots along your way,
Embrace everyone by spreading kindness as you move.)
I came across this song much later, but it echoes deeply within me, especially when people ask me questions, I hear quite often: “You have such a unique background; how did you transit into media? Why do you work so hard at your age? Why not retire?” These are thoughtful questions, and I am not surprised they come up. I have shared my perspective in one of my columns of “Jeevan Panth” in Gujarat Samachar, and many of my friends are aware of it too.
My journey into media wasn’t purely accidental, nor was it meticulously planned, it was simply a case of one thing leading to another. When I was young, my parents subscribed to a Gujarati daily newspaper, and even at the age of four, I found myself flipping through its pages. There were also children's magazines like Bal Jeevan and Bal Mitra, which introduced me to the joy of reading. I soon realised that reading was not just fun but also rewarding. By the time I was 12, in 1949, the daily newspaper Sandesh, which my parents received, published a special Diwali edition titled Arogya-Tanannu, Manannu, Dhananu (Health: Body, Mind and Wealth). It was beautifully presented with captivating visuals. I was amazed, thinking: My God! There is so much to learn, so much to enjoy and so much to share! I eagerly discussed what I had learned about health and the human body with my school friends and neighbours, sparking my lifelong love for knowledge and sharing. As life moved forward, reading newspapers, magazines and books became an integral part of my daily routine, a source of nourishment and in many ways, sustenance.
In an article published in our special book "Eyes of Tomorrow" in 2023, I shared how the inspiration for this passion came from my father, a Sanyasi. He reminded me that while money is important, it is not everything. He encouraged me to pursue something meaningful, saying, "If you want to make a difference, do it through Akshar Gyan (knowledge of words). Spread knowledge through written words." He firmly believed that words held a unique significance and power within. And with that power came responsibility, that he passed on to me.
Before, we took over Gujarat Samachar, I faced a challenging period of introspection. To gain clarity on what, how and when I should proceed in the field of print media, I attended a three-day retreat at the Theosophical Lodge in Camberley, Surrey. This was followed by a week long training at the Thomson Foundation in Reading in 1977. The experience introduced me to the legacy of Lord Thomson, and for anyone interested in learning about him, I recommend his book, "After I Was Sixty" by Lord Thomson of Fleet. It offers profound insight into his life and philosophy.
Akshar Gyan represents the principle of standing by your readers and your community. This belief was further solidified during two brief yet profound encounters with Srila Prabhupada at the ISKCON Temple in 7 Bury Place, Central London. Though our exchange was brief, his words left a lasting impact. Here was a man, despite his health challenges and other obstacles, creating something truly remarkable and transformative. Inspired by our conversation, I read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, a copy he personally gave me. That reading was a revelation, it taught me that every action, whether as an employee, a spouse, or a politician, is a form of service. This understanding profoundly shaped my perspective and I embraced service to my readers and my community as my life’s motto.
When we took over Gujarat Samachar, during the Emergency in India, a time when fundamental rights were suspended, media censorship was enforced, and prominent political leaders were arrested. The press, often regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, suffered greatly under these restrictions. Our very first campaign was a bold stand against Indira Gandhi's Emergency, rooted firmly within the bounds of the law but aggressively strong in its message. Defying the constraints, we published Rabindranath Tagore's iconic poem from Gitanjali, "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high." This act of defiance led to India House barring my entry, as the Indian government, under Indira Gandhi had prohibited the publication of that very poem. It was a reminder of the power of written words and the resilience required to uphold democratic values.
Defiance has always been an intrinsic part of media and campaigning has been at the heart of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar’s mission. Over the years, we have consistently supported causes that serve our community, whether addressing health issues, tackling difficulties with nationality or immigration laws or resolving challenges with local governments. I am proud to say that in Britain, whenever we have initiated a campaign, we have mostly succeeded. However, I cannot say the same about campaigns concerning issues in India. For instance, while our campaign for a Direct Flight between the UK and Ahmedabad was successful, thanks to the support of Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi, but other efforts, such as addressing property fraud, hijacked properties or land disputes affecting NRIs, did not yield results. Despite preparing detailed memorandum, these issues remain unresolved.
In the UK, though, success has been more achievable, provided politicians are reminded and public opinion is mobilised. Take the Hare Krishna Temple campaign in 1994. It wasn’t just Hindus who supported it, Jains, Sikhs, some Muslims, many Christians and members of the Jewish community joined forces. With their collective support, the campaign achieved its goal in May 1996, showcasing the power of unity and persistence.
I must say that the Indian diaspora, especially in the UK, is incredibly vibrant and active. Whenever we presented a well thought out proposal for a campaign or cause, we received overwhelming support. Without the backing of my readers, the community, organisational leaders and even some philanthropists, none of our achievements would have been possible. However, it’s not for me to judge whether we have served our community properly, that’s for others to decide. What I can confidently say is that I have always tried my best, putting service before self, at least in the public domain. I am not perfect, and I have openly admitted in one of my columns that I don’t have the courage or honesty to write my autobiography. That said, I can assure you that the content of Asian Voice (previously New Life) and Gujarat Samachar, as well as our other special magazines is rooted in truth, with the simple intention of serving our community to the best of our ability.
