Dear Readers,
Back in 1957, the Soviet Union shocked the USA and the world by launching the first ever artificial satellite Sputnik. A couple of years later, in 1960, then American President John F Kennedy stood in front of the Congress and pledged that the USA be the first country to put man on the moon. "We choose to go to the Moon", he said. Nine years after the monumental speech, on July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the Moon. Ever since then, Russia, the USA, China, now India, and other countries have joined the race. One, that was started by the Soviet Union.
It was almost around at the same time, that the journey of British Indians/Asians began. Before 1957, there was only a miniscule presence of Indians in the UK. It is well-known that they hugely worked in a rubber factory in Southall. Predominantly Sikhs, the migrants were personnel demoted from the British Army and recruited to work in the factory. In the late 40s and early 50s, mostly Pakistanis from Mirpur, and a handful of Bengalis migrated to the UK.
Many of them involved themselves in the textile and wood industry in Lancashire/Yorkshire, while others joined the metal industry in Midlands. As the numbers of British Asians increased, so did the “Internal trade”. However, their prominent entry into the FMCG market happened in the 50s and 60s. In last week's Gujarat Samachar, we published an obituary of Ramanbhai Purushottamadas Patel.
Born in 1922, in Ras, India, he lost his mother at the age of 3 and was raised by his grandmother Jaravarba. Ramanbhai was a keen sportsman, good wrestler and swimmer in school and had a number of medals in both sports including two life saving medals. He married Taraben in 1942, and later arrived in the UK to study in 1952. Ramanbhai was a qualified motor mechanic and worked Frase Nash, Formula One (F1) and Ford in Dagenham.
In 1958, he opened his first grocery store in Westbourne Park, West London. He later went on to own several stores in West Hampstead, Blackheath, West Hendon, Croydon and Queens Park. His wife passed away in 1983, and he himself became a paraplegic in 1990 and spent the remaining of his life in a wheelchair. Despite his limitations, he continued to visit India every year from 1994 to 2010. Ramanbhai is survived by three daughters and grandchildren. His third daughter Bhawanaben was one of his biggest supporter and took care of him until his last breath. She holds a big post in the civil services.
I personally knew Ramanbhai for a long time, and have been an admirer for as long as I've known. We spoke often and eventhough he was limited to a wheelchair, his spirit was indomitable. I share his story because over the years, I have met and seen many Ramanbhais, who arrived to the UK and grew here. I would like to give my own humble example. While I came here to study law, very soon, marginal funds pushed me into working in the financial services. I worked retail in 1968, and in the next seven years, I, along with my group of friends were running 10 different shops prior to my call in the publishing industry.
The Kenya exodus happens to be a turning point in the history of Indian/Asian migration to the UK. In 1968-69, a large number of Asian population, voluntarily migrated to the UK. The numbers there in 1963 was around 180,000. By 73, the numbers had gone down to 80,000. Today, over 100,000 people or more have Kenya connections, as do equal number of people from Uganda and Tanganyika. It is admirable how the African dukawalas soon became to be known as "Cornershop Owners". It is a fact, that you could go anywhere in the UK and chances are that you will find an Asian corner shop owner.
Back in 1990, Margaret Thatcher wrote in an article for ‘Asian Business’ magazine that, "Asians move everywhere voluntarily, dispersal is in their nature." Almost 40,000 shops within the M25 were brought by East African Asians in the late 70s and early 80s. I remember having conversations with some wholesalers, who said, "Napolean Bonaparte once said England is the country of shopkeepers, now it is the country of Asian shopkeepers."
I have to admit, the main reason behind the opening of shops was discrimination. I remember not even qualified Asian men got proper jobs. I have known doctors and engineers who worked hard for long hours and still twiddling at the lowest level of career growth. Rampton Report on Inner London Education said Asian shopkeepers work very hard, and sacrifice a lot to make sure they bring good education to their children.
Today, you see a good number of Asian penetration in different sectors. Chances are, their parents were shopkeepers. I must also acknowledge that British education gave them the confidence that now reflects in them. Lord Gadhia once spoke in the House of Lords and said that over 1/5th of high value jobs are held by British Indians.
A Sikh railway employee in East Africa, came to the UK and bought a post office. His son is now one of the most successful hoteliers in the UK. Jasminder Singh. With 12 luxury hotels in the UK, he is now building a brand new hotel in Leicester Square investing £300 million, within three miles of his father's post office. Such examples are many. Sir Anwar Pervez opened his first small retail store in 1963 in London's Earl Court. In 1976, he opened his first wholesale warehouse in Acton, West London. The company later grew into a multibillion-pound organisation. Bestway is now the second largest independent wholesaler in the UK. Sir Anwar Pervez is also the biggest cement manufacturer in Pakistan.
There are also the Dhamechas. Any such entrepreneur or professional has been nurtured by their parents or grandparents. Even in their success, they remember their upbringing with utmost gratitude.
Our Kenya exodus magazine is in the final stages of production, and it has truly been a journey for me. I have personally gone threw each and every story sent to me, and have taken pride in whatever I have read. Every single struggle, no matter how big or small in scale, has led our community to what it is today. Fortunately, despite our prosperity, our hearts has managed to stay connected with its roots.
Working on the publication has led me to think what about the next generation? We are law-abiding, hardworking citizens. What are our children's future? My brief worry was quickly answered by myself. I am optimistic and know there will be a positive geometrical progress. From retail to a large booming business, the younger generation moved on to an unknown territory. We are repaying this country as well as bridging with our ancestors.
Success is not confined to an individual, it is in fact, an international mode of cooperation within communities. I wish good luck to our future torchbearers, and hope that every bit of everything we have build for them as one society, contributes to their well-being.
