Reasons to be
Cheerful: Indian
Independence
India, as we know
it, is 70 years old.
70 years ago, many
of our Prajapati elders
knew the country in
a different light: low
economic growth, race
riots and a turbulent
society. And, India’s
cricket team wasn’t all
too great either.
Our elders soon left
India. They left that India
for a more prosperous,
safer way of life in
East Africa, USA, and
the UK in the 1950s
and onwards. These
countries promised jobs,
stable economies and a
‘familiarish’ way of life.
We left a turbulent India
Many Prajapatis in the
UK, and overseas, likely
harboured dreams of
returning to India when
things became safer. 70
years on, that just isn’t
the case…
As a Prajapati community,
we generally have
British passports, can
speak several English
languages (‘Guj-glish’,
office English, Cockney,
Yorkshire). Most
importantly we’ve built
our support networks
around us here in the
UK. Surely then, we’re at
our strongest in the UK?
We look to an optimistic
India
But then Indian
Independence comes
around, and you do
pay attention. India is
a far more optimistic
proposition now than
has been in the past.
India, the land our elders
left for jobs, stability
and a better quality
of life elsewhere, now
provides just that; 5.7%
GDP growth last year,
unemployment rates
halved since the 1990s
and a newly elected
government have
brought about a wave
of optimism in India,
especially for Gujaratis.
Indian independence: a
belief in a better future
With plenty changing
today on British shores,
whether it is job-
related, political, or
cricket-related, I find it
incredibly comforting
to look East and see a
country in full-flow.
So, if Virat Kohli comes
to the UK and scores a
double-century at the
Oval or Narendra Modi
speaks at Wembley
Stadium, as British
Indians, go see them.
Funnily enough, you
might share some Indian
heritage with them. More
importantly, you’ll also
share a belief in a better
future. Just remember,
that same belief kept our
elders going when they
first came to the UK.
Indian Independence
matters. It reminds us
a lot can happen in
70 years, for a family,
a community and a
country…
By Vinay Chhana,
Hornchurch, East London
vol. 42 | Prajapati Sandesh 2017
35