Many worked in foundries of the English Midlands. Large numbers of Gujaratis worked in the textile manufacturing sector in the northwest industrial towns of Blackburn, Dewsbury, Bolton, Lancaster, Manchester and Preston
• During the same time, medical staff from India were recruited for the newly formed National Health Service. These people were targeted as the British had established medical schools in the Indian subcontinent which conformed to the British standards of medical training
• During the 1960s and 1970s, large numbers of East African Indians, with British passports, entered the UK. Many had been shopkeepers and wholesale retailers in Africa and opened shops when they arrived in the UK
This is not the end of migration of the Indians( or, to that matter, of any community), whether you are a Gujarati in general or a Prajapati in particular. The adventurous members have travelled and are still looking for fresh pastures in foreign countries. Having been slowly moving towards education, from the skilful art of pottery and carpentry, the Prajapatis have moved to the business of these skills( building, making furniture, making bricks, houseware, etc) as well as becoming professionals like teachers, professors, barristers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, politicians, magistrates- to name a few. Some have started their own businesses, and have become consultants and partners in companies. The whole community is advancing and providing services in many parts of the world.
Migration of a Prajapati
Hereunder, a humble attempt has been made to show the migration of a Prajapati from India, migrated to Africa, lived the rest of his life in UK. Yours may be more interesting, difficult or intriguing. This is not uncommon, but, may provide an insight to the demands of time and how the journey takes from homeland to other parts of the world. Why not write about it and preserve it for your children and grandchildren? I am sure they will appreciate it.
Short Life Story of Mr Kunverjibhai Lalbhai Mistry India
• He was born on 1st March 1923 in the small village of Ambada in the Gujarat State, India. At that time there were about 25-30 houses in the village. He had four brothers and one sister
• His parents were farmers and looked after the family land and grew crops
• His education started at the age of 6 years and finished at the age of 15. The books and stationery were funded by parents
• Kabaddi was a very common game played by all
• Luckily, his house was made out of old bricks compared to other houses
Africa
• At the age of 15 he moved to Mabale in Uganda( East Africa)
• His father and brother were already there and so he was called, the main reason being to better the lifestyle and no one wanted to go into education, but just wanted to earn money
• He learnt tailoring and soon opened a tailoring shop with his brothers
• He moved to another city, Soroti for 2 years. At that time he was served a notice to join the army and go to war
• He joined the army in 1942 and went to Ethiopia for 4 years. Then he moved to Mombasa. On the way to Burma the war was over in 1946
• He returned to India in 1947 after 8 years
England
• He returned to Uganda and stayed there and came to England in winter December 1968 before Idi Amin gave notices to leave in 1972
• An antique remembrance is a German sewing machine( Singer) bought for about 72 shillings and brought to England!
• He worked in cotton mills for ten years, earning about £ 10 at that time- enough for a week!
• Kunverjibhai had married at the age of 10; and called his wife in 1952 to Africa. He has four daughters who are married and living in Preston, Bradford, Manchester, Blackburn and Canada; two sons had died
• In 1980 he went to India because his father had died. He returned to UK. Because of his advancing age, he retired
• His wife had never worked. She, being disabled is looked after by carers, a facility not available in India
• During the 40 years, life had generally gone well
Other parts of the world
• He had the opportunity to travel to Spain, Austria, Canada and America.
End of Journey
• Mr Kunverjibhai passed away on 5th July 2016 in Preston
58 vol. 41 | Prajapati Sandesh 2016