Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice and its other publications, consider themselves fortunate to have over 22,000 paid subscribers along with thousands more copies sold through retailers and, a stable presence online. We are grateful to all our readers, advertisers, distributors, shopkeepers, contributors and well-wishers who have helped us all along.
Forty four years ago, on 5th May 1972, Gujarat Samachar, a tabloid news-weekly with a small English section was released by the well-known Indian diplomat Appa Saheb Pant- then High Commissioner for India to the UK. The founding directors of the publication included 3 Gujaratis and 2 Punjabis, with a noble Maharashtrian Appa Saheb Pant playing a father figure.
Pranlal Sheth, Kusumben Shah, N.T. Pandya, Balwant Singh Kapoor, and Yuddhvir, remained in close consultation with Appa Saheb, for a year prior to the actual launch of the paper. Appa Saheb contributed in more ways than just being an inspiration in the making of what would be UK’s first ever Gujarati newsweekly. While there was a fortnightly Gujarati paper in circulation in those times, (a cyclostyled A4 size paper), Gujarat Samachar, right from its inception, was a properly laid out, tabloid size newsweekly.
Appa Saheb Pant came from a background of Indian royalty- an Indian prince. His father was the King of Aundh, Maharashtra, who in 1924, gave up his kingdom to his Praja (people) following Gandhian principle of trusteeship. Appa Saheb served as the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya. He was also one of the first persons to be honoured with a Padma Shri by the Indian government. After retirement, he was appointed as the Liaison Officer for The Dalai Lama, in Dharamshala, by the Ministry of External Affairs.
One of the pillars of strength of the Asian community in the UK, Pranlal Sheth, was born and brought up in Kisumu, Kenya, growing up to be quite a radical youth. It may be of interest to know that back in those days, as even now, Sugar Plantations in Kenya were owned by mainly Gujarati businessmen, but the workers were predominantly Africans. These workers had severe grievances. Pranlal was one of the people who raised his voice and lent his ears for the cause. He was also actively involved in some Gujarati newspapers published in Kenya. He later moved to England to become a barrister, after which, he returned to Kenya and associated himself with the Kenyan African National Union (KANU).
Two prominent leaders in Kenya during and after its independence in 1963, were Jomo Kenyatta- leader of the Kikuyus and, Oginga Odinga- leader of the Luo tribe. While both served as President and Vice-President of the country, their different ideologies often led to differences between them. Kenyatta was staunchly pro-West, while Odinga was pro-Soviet Union.
Pranlal was a close advisor of Odinga, a relation that got him into trouble. Despite being a Kenyan, Pranlal became the first Asian (a Kenyan as well) to be deported from the country- a decision taken by Kenyatta who deemed his presence as not helpful to him.
Pranlal Sheth settled in UK and began as a junior clerk at the Abbey Life Insurance company, founded by Mark Weinberg. Within three years, Pranlal rose to become a Director and head of the legal department of the company. By 1967, he had become well acquainted with the rising numbers of Gujarati and Asian populations in the UK.
In 1968, Pranlal helped launch a Gujarati publication. He worked as the main mover until persistent disagreements over policies made him part. Pranlal Purushottam Sheth made a notable reputation for himself by proactively contributing to the social and economic welfare of his community. Right from participating in the negotiation processes for independence in Kenya, to putting his legal and business acumen to social use, Pranlal was one of the highest ranking Asians in the UK.
Prior to independence, Kenya found a steady supporter in the Indian government. Appa Saheb Pant was the high commisioner in Kenya during the delicate period of Mau Mau. Pandit Nehru, even before the Bandung Conference (1955), was engaged in helping independence movements in several countries in Africa. In Kenya, the main political party KANU was helped with transport vehicles and resources for publicity officials, and such activities were not to the liking of the British government. Under immense pressure from UK the Nehru government reluctantly, was forced to recall Appa Saheb Pant from Kenya.
However, as the phrase ‘all in good times’ goes, tables turned in 1972. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a lady known for her gumption, appointed Appa Saheb Pant as the high commissioner of India in London. While UK had its initial apprehensions, it was their turn to yield to the decision of India.
After arriving in UK, Appa Saheb reconnected with Pranlal Sheth, whom he knew very well and admired in Kenya. And Appa Saheb became the guiding light to the founders of Gujarat Samachar.
Kusumben Shah was born and brought up in Mumbai, to an eminent trading family from Surendranagar. Widowed at a very young age, she moved to the UK with her child son Chetan. Kusumben was often described as ambitious and determined. Balwant Singh Kapoor was already a recognised name in the media sector, representing Indian publications and garnering attention. He was well regarded in elite circles and at one stage fraternised with the likes of Rajkumari Amrit Kaur- India's first Health Minister. Mr Yuddhvir and his family were well noted for running an Urdu daily called ‘Millat’, from Hyderabad and Delhi.
Gujarat Samachar stands tall today. Established by six people from different backgrounds, cultures, walks of life, all united by a simple belief, to let the truth prevail. (to be continued)
