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