Vinod Ghadiali was born in an Indian village called Amalsad in the Gujarat state. He completed his education in Navsari and Surat.
After completing his graduation he’s got a B.A. in English literature and M.P.A. A Master's degree in Public Administration forty-four years ago Vinod came to the UK from India. In the beginning, he did some manual jobs but in 1984 he joined Leicestershire County Council. In 1990 he obtained an M.Sc from Loughborough University
He was also the youngest Editor (1982 – 1988) of a bilingual monthly community magazine. Under his editorship, the magazine won a prestigious Sectional Media Award.
Later on, in 1995 he joined BBC Asian Network as a Gujarati News Reader. He was a Broadcast Journalist until he retired in 2012.
He was also an active member of a drama group. He has acted in short films as well as plays and has won some awards too.
Currently, Vinod is the President of the Oadby and Wigston Hindu Community. He is also involved in running a Luncheon Club and a Social Group in Oadby.
He is the Vice -President of the Gujarati Arya Association.
Questions and answers
1. Which place or city or country do you most feel at home?
I feel most at home in Leicester, UK. Wherever I go, when I come back and land at the airport, immediately I feel happy and relaxed. This is my home and I love it.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
The very first time one of my poems was published. I started writing poetry at an early age. One day my cousin, Navin said, “I will believe you when it’s published”. So, I took up a challenge and sent it to one of the most reputable newspaper, The Bombay Samachar. At the time I was a teenager studying at college. Being a naïve I waited it to appear within a few days, but it didn’t. So, I forgot all about it. And then suddenly after a few weeks one day my father came home and showed me the paper and asked, is that you Vinod? I got so excited that I ran to my friend’s house to show everyone. That day I couldn’t eat or sleep with excitement.
Another occasion was back in the mid-eighties. As an Editor of ‘Ame Gujarati’ I had written a leading article on Race Relations and Harmony, which was picked up by the Editor of Leicester Mercury, Mr Neville Stake. He was so impressed that he invited me to his office. Since then, we became good friends till his death.
3. What inspires you?
Challenges inspire me. Whatever I do I like to do a perfect job. I like to organise meticulously and implement it.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I would say my spoken English. As I come from India I spoke with a different accent and that has hindered me in the beginning. It now has mellowed so much that I think I speak as good as any English man.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
There is no single person I can say who has influenced me in my career. It’s my desire to succeed has prompted me to do what I do.
6. What is the best aspect of your current role?
The best aspect of my current role is to meet and help people. As a President of the Oadby and Wigston Hindu Community, I enjoy organising various events and negotiating with statutory & voluntary bodies.
7. And worst?
None.
8. What is your long–term goal?
As I have retired my long-term goal is to live happily till I die. I only do those things, which makes me happy.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I firmly believe in a mixed economy and believe that some of the national assets such as defence, water, energy, and transport should be in public hands. If private companies can make billions of pounds of profit, then why can’t government-owned companies? Of course, there has to be a different approach than in the past.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
I would like to spend some time with former Prime Minister John Major. I think he was the most honest and decent Prime Minister.
