AS I SEE IT : LOOKING BACK, THINKING AHEAD

Respected readers, most of you are aware that my entry into journalism didn’t come through a conventional journalistic background, but from the world of business as an ordinary shopkeeper. When the opportunity arose to take on this new responsibility, I felt it was important to pause and reflect. I spent several days at the Theosophical Lodge in quiet contemplation and later attended a week-long journalism training programme at the Thomson Foundation to better understand the profession I was about to embrace. I was also fortunate to have read, Life begins at forty, by Brigit Bardot, the french actress and After I was sixty by Lord Thomson of Fleet around the time. 
The inspiration behind this soul-searching was a man whose name frequently occupied my thoughts - Vadilal Dagli a renowned economist, poet, essayist and journalist from India. Before 1950, he travelled from Mumbai to the United States under the American Foundation programme to pursue higher education. Although he spent a couple of years studying there, he was never tempted by the prospect of settling permanently in America. A true patriot at heart, his vision extended far beyond personal success. Instead, he was nurturing a far nobler ambition, to return and contribute meaningfully to India’s intellectual and social development.
Upon his return to India, Vadilal Dagli set about pursuing that vision. Determined to foster greater awareness and informed thinking among the public, he launched a unique publishing initiative from Mumbai called “Parichay Pustika” in Gujarati. 
True to its name, each booklet was small in size but rich in content. Through these publications, he addressed many of the critical challenges facing India, a country of great diversity and complexity. Whether writing about water shortages, environmental issues or other social and economic concerns, he explained important subjects in a simple, clear and thought-provoking way.
Parichay Pustika had a profound influence on me. It taught me that each of us has a responsibility to contribute something meaningful to the community, whether through ideas, initiatives or service. That belief stayed with me and later shaped my own journey in journalism and community work.
In 1976, we took on the responsibility of publishing Gujarat Samachar. The hopes were high and so were our ambitions. Yet, beneath the excitement lay a degree of uncertainty. I often found myself reflecting on the Gujarati poem by Umashankar Bhatt,  ‘ભોમિયા વિના મારે ભમવા’તા ડુંગરા - like a traveller wandering through the mountains without a guide’.
It was during this period that I learnt of a lecture being delivered by Dr Bhikhu Parekh, then a lecturer at the University of Hull, some 200 miles from London. Whether driven by curiosity or guided by providence, I felt compelled to attend.
What followed proved to be a defining moment. In the space of just forty-five minutes, Dr Parekh offered remarkable insights into contemporary life, the strengths and weaknesses of our community, our aspirations, our challenges and our untapped potential. He spoke with such clarity and simplicity that even complex ideas became easy to grasp, flowing naturally into the mind and heart.
That lecture marked my first meeting with Dr Parekh. Deeply impressed by his wisdom and perspective, I invited him to London and he graciously accepted. What began as a single meeting soon evolved into a lasting friendship and an enriching intellectual association.
Over the time, regular discussions began to take shape at Karma Yoga House and at my residence. Thoughtful men and women from diverse backgrounds would gather to exchange ideas, debate issues, and discuss matters affecting our community and society at large.
Among the regular participants in these gatherings were many distinguished and accomplished individuals, including Shantubhai Ruparelia, I K Patel, Pranlal Sheth, Navnit Dholakia, Meghnad Desai, Kantibhai B Patel, B K Joshi, Jashwant Joshi, Kanti Nagda, Shrila Flather , Usha Prasher , Dahyabhai Kavi, Ratilal Jobanputra, T P Suchak, Bhanushankar Odhavji Vyas, Jaymangalbhai, Ghulam Noon, Zarbanoo Gifford, Mohammad Khan, T A Bhatt, Hirabhai Shah, Dr Jagdish Dave, Pankaj Vora, Ratilal Chandaria, Pravinbhai Amin and many others. The list is long, and each individual brought with them a unique perspective and wealth of experience.
The circle gradually expanded beyond London, drawing friends and community leaders from Leicester, Preston,Manchester , Birmingham, Cardiff, Luton and other parts of the country. These meetings became much more than social gatherings; they evolved into a vibrant forum for intellectual engagement, constructive dialogue, collective thinking and explore solutions to issues affecting our community.
The collective wisdom, experience and diversity of thought generated a spirit of constructive dialogue that proved invaluable. Many ideas, initiatives and community projects that emerged in later years had their roots in these conversations. Looking back, this continuous process of discussion, reflection and shared learning played a significant role in shaping both the direction of New Life (now Asian Voice), Gujarat Samachar and our broader engagement with the community.
These exchanges of ideas gave Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar a clear sense of purpose and a meaningful path through which to serve the community. In return, the community extended its wholehearted support and trust. We all are most grateful. 
Over the years, we organised numerous meetings and debates at Karma Yoga House and other venues to discuss issues affecting our community, from developing mother-tongue education, nationality and immigration matters to wider social and political developments in Britain. These debates and discussions also found a place in the pages of our newspapers, encouraging wider community participation.
One of the most significant outcomes of this collective engagement was the staging of the world's first International Gujarati Conference in London  bringing together Gujaratis from across the globe to celebrate their shared heritage, achievements and aspirations.
Around the same time, several important organisations, including the National Council of Gujarati Organisations (NCGO UK) and the Sardar Patel Memorial Society (SPMS), were established and went on to play significant roles in serving the the community.
Many other campaigns and community initiatives also emerged during this period. Whether it was drawing attention to the plight of Indians in Fiji, supporting the Hare Krishna Temple, campaigning for a direct London–Ahmedabad flight, or addressing a wide range of community concerns, people came together with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility.
On several occasions, thousands of members of the community gathered on the streets of London to make their voices heard. Through unity, determination , collective effort , constitutional and totality peaceful approach, they were able to bring attention to important issues and in many cases, help secure meaningful change.
The support and trust that Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar received from every section of the community during those years were truly invaluable. Yet, all this belongs to a period some three, four or even five decades ago. Since then, times have changed, circumstances have evolved and a new generation has come of age. As old challenges are resolved, new questions inevitably arise. Such is the nature of life and society, change is constant and every era brings with it new opportunities as well as new concerns.
For some time, I had been giving serious thought to the need to revisit the fundamentals, to assess where we stand today as a community and where we hope to go in the years ahead. With this in mind, recently I invited Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh to stay at my home so that we could spend time together exchanging ideas and perspectives. He graciously accepted and spent a couple of days with us.
During his stay, we devoted many hours to thoughtful and wide-ranging discussions. We spoke about our community, the place of Gujaratis and Indians in British society, their achievements and contributions, the challenges that remain and India’s remarkable transformation in recent decades. The conversations were both stimulating and enlightening.
After Lord Parekh's visit, I devoted several days to examining and absorbing the many issues and insights that raised from our discussions. The thoughts that emerged from those discussions are both timely and relevant and I would like to share some of them with you all in the hope that they may encourage a wider conversation within our community.
First and foremost was the need to better understand the challenges, aspirations and concerns of different sections of our community. Whether it is our elders, women, young people, students, business owners, professionals or those engaged in employment and trade, each group faces its own opportunities and difficulties. The need of the hour is not just to identify these issues, but to respond with meaningful initiatives and practical action.
A second area of focus was the enduring relationship between India and the global Indian diaspora. The bond between the two is deep and inseparable. Their interests are often intertwined and the progress of one frequently strengthens the other. Preserving and nurturing this relationship remains essential for the continued growth and prosperity of both.
We also discussed on the relationship between Gujaratis, the wider Indian community and British society. While there is much to celebrate in terms of integration, contribution and achievement, there is also value in examining where greater understanding, engagement and cooperation can be encouraged.
We also spent considerable time discussing the growing impact of social media. While it has transformed communication and brought people closer together, it has also created new challenges. Misinformation, misunderstandings and unnecessary divisions can spread rapidly in the digital age. We therefore explored ways in which communities can encourage responsible dialogue, promote informed discussion and strengthen social harmony rather than allow differences to deepen.
Another important question we explored was that of leadership within our community. Over the past six decades, hundreds of organisations have been established. Many have done outstanding work and deserve our appreciation and support. Others, however, exist largely in name, while some have struggled to make a meaningful impact. Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh posed a simple yet important question: beyond titles, recognition and public visibility, what tangible and lasting contribution are our institutions and community leaders making to society? It is a question worthy of serious reflection.
We also discussed the role of those members of our community who have achieved prominence in public life, whether in the House of Lords, Parliament, major national institutions, business, academia or other fields. Their achievements are a source of pride, but it is equally important to consider how their experience, influence and success can further benefit the wider community.
Lord Parekh drew particular attention to another recurring challenge. Too often, he observed, our community becomes distracted by minor disagreements and unnecessary divisions. Rather than allowing such differences to weaken us, he urged us to embrace the timeless principle of “बहुजन हिताय बहुजन सुखाय -Bahujan Hitaya, Bahujan Sukhaya- working for the welfare and wellbeing of all.”
If we can rise above personal differences and work together with mutual respect and understanding, there is no limit to what we can achieve as a community. Our responsibility is not only to preserve the achievements of previous generations but also to build on them for the benefit of those who follow. By working together, we can create a stronger community and greater opportunities for future generations.
Lord Parekh also pointed out that in today’s fast-paced world, it is no longer easy to organise regular physical meetings in the way we once did. Yet, he highlighted that meaningful debate, discussion and the exchange of ideas remain just as important as ever. Modern technology now offers us new ways to connect and he suggested that virtual forums through platforms such as Zoom can provide an effective space for such engagement.
At the same time, he cautioned that these gatherings should be more than social get-togethers. They should focus on issues that matter to the community and encourage meaningful discussion. The emphasis should be on ideas rather than individuals, and the outcome should be practical action that benefits the community, rather than discussions that end with words alone.
Lord Parekh believes that by encouraging regular dialogue and collective thinking, we can become a more united, organised and forward-looking community. Such an approach would help us address common challenges, support worthwhile initiatives and create greater opportunities for future generations. It could also encourage and inspire young people, whether in business, professional careers or community service.
In his view, bringing people together for meaningful intellectual exchange has never been easier. The challenge is not the availability of technology, but our willingness to use it constructively for the benefit of the wider community.
Lord Parekh also explained that many of the challenges we face arise when we become too focused on labels and divisions. Rather than defining ourselves by differences, whether of belief or non-belief, tradition or modernity, he believes we should focus on the values that unite us. Preserving, developing and passing on the rich heritage of Indian civilisation and culture is, in his view, one of the most important responsibilities of our time.
Lastly, I asked him to share his thoughts on the responsibility of an editor. He replied that an editor should see himself not only as a spokesman for his community, but also as its critic and reformer. To fulfil this role effectively, he said, an editor must develop the three Ps: Philosophy, Policy and Polemic. He should have a clear vision of where he wants to lead his community and the values he wishes to promote. Differences of opinion are bound to arise, and rather than fearing them, he should welcome them as a healthy and necessary part of public discourse.
Dear readers, what I have shared here is a brief summary of the ideas and insights that emerged from my conversations with the distinguished scholar and thinker, Prof Lord Bhikhu Parekh. These discussions raised important questions about our community, our future and the role each of us can play in shaping it.
I would therefore like to invite your thoughts. If you have any suggestions, observations or ideas on these issues, please do write to us at [email protected]. Your views matter and they can help enrich a wider community conversation.
For more than five decades, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have been more than newspapers. They have served as a voice for the community, highlighting its concerns, achievements and aspirations while connecting it to the wider world.