Expulsion@50

Here is my final contribution. Thank you to all my podcast guests, listeners and everyone who has given their time and opinions so generously.

Till we meet again.....

Music: Pal, Pal, Dil Ke Pas (instrumental)

In this final episode of the series, we hear from Sejal Majithia and Sejal Sachdev who created Ugandan Asians 50, A Living History. 

Thereafter, Pragna Hay speaks about Uprooted 50 Years Ago. 

Meeting these women was a spark that created the fire for this podcast series. 

It has resulted in making new and lasting connections across the world.

Music: 1. Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves by Aretha Franklin & Annie Lennox and

2. Uprooted by NX Panther

In this final episode, we hear about the lasting connections made as a result of the events organised for 50th anniversary.

This episode goes live on 20 December 2022.

In episode 49, James Serunkuuma speaks about the direct impact of the expulsion on his family. He shares how they had to drink tea without sugar and how the local economy was affected as a result of the closure of industries. 

“My mother started rationing soap and we had to use the same soap for laundry and for bathing.“

As the Content Manager at New Vision Media, James also speaks about the various programmes they’ve organised this year to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the expulsion.

Music: Islands in the stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

James Serunkuuma speaks about life after the expulsion, and about his work at New Vision Media.

This episode goes live on 10 December 2022

On 1 December 1972, Rodney Lobo arrived in Bergen, Norway as a person with an undetermined nationality. Meanwhile, his sisters Mariette and Lynette went to India with their parents. Two and a half years later, the family were reunited in Norway.

In episode 48, Mariette and Rodney speak about their life in Uganda and how they ended up in different countries as a result of the expulsion. 

“Fifty years ago, we were treated with a lot of kindness and curiosity. We were the first wave of non-white immigrants to arrive in Norway.” 

They also discuss the changing perceptions of immigrants and attitudes towards them in this Scandinavian nation.

Music: What the world needs now by Dione Warwick

In episode 48, Mariette and Rodney speak about their life in Uganda and how they ended up in different countries as a result of the expulsion.

This episode goes live on 1 December 2022.

In episode 47, we hear from Max Russel about Britain’s historical role and relationship with Uganda. He discusses his MA Thesis, entitled, Enduring Empire: A Case Study of the Ugandan Asian Diaspora.

"Although the British Empire has formally ended, the influence of colonialism and of imperialism continues to influence our society – politically, economically and socially – in Britain, and in countries like Uganda."

Music: Gnossienne (Erik Satie) by Quartet Cinderella

This episode was first released in November 2022

Max Russel speaks about his MA Thesis entitled Enduring Empire: A Case Study of the Ugandan Asian Diaspora.

This episode goes live on 15 November 2022.

Aged 14 years, Rudra Sachdev is the youngest contributor to the podcast series. In 2021, he undertook an oral history project at Habs Boys School. In this episode, he speaks about that journey. 

“I learned so much about the life my great grandparents had in Uganda and also about the expulsion and about the difficulties they experienced. Most of all, why it is important to know and document our history.”

Music: Raag Bageshri by Zakir Hussain and Adnan Sami

This episode was first released in November 2022

Rudra Sachdev shares his experiences of documenting his family history. Episode 46 goes live on 1 November 2022.

Bharti Dhir’s childhood in Uganda was shrouded in a deep secret which has had far reaching consequences. 

Many years later, while living in the UK, she chose to gift her daughter with her memoir, called Worth. 

“I do not buy into the prejudicial values of my childhood. I want my daughter to know who her mother was and that she will gain strength from my story and my experiences.”

Music: Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, instrumental version by Van Shipley

This episode was first released in October 2022

This is a compelling story of Bharti Dhir. Episode 45 goes live on 15 October 2022

આગામી ત્રણ એપિસોડ એવી મહિલાઓ પર ધ્યાન કેન્દ્રિત કરે છે જેમણે વિવિધ મુશ્કેલીઓનો અનુભવ કર્યો છે અને જેઓ તાકાત, નિશ્ચય અને કૃપાથી પસાર થઈ છે. 

એપિસોડ ૪૪ માં, અમે ખતીજા કપાસી પાસેથી સાંભળીએ છીએ કે જેઓ ૮૦ વર્ષની ઉંમરે બર્મિંગહામમાં તેમના પારિવારિક વ્યવસાય, જીવાજી ઓટો સ્પેર્સમાં કામ કરવાનું ચાલુ રાખે છે. 

“મને ગ્રાહકો સાથે વાર્તાલાપ કરવામાં આનંદ આવે છે. તેઓ એટલા માટે આવે છે કારણ કે અમે દરેક સાથે ન્યાયી, સમાન અને પ્રમાણિકતાથી વર્તે છે.”

સંગીત: શર્લી બાસી દ્વારા ડાયમંડ્સ કાયમ છે

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The next three episodes focus on women who have experienced different hardships and have pulled through with strength, determination and grace. 

In episode 44, we hear from Khatija Kapasi who at the age of 80 years continues to work at Jivaji Auto Spares, their family business in Birmingham. 

“I enjoy interacting with the customers. They come because we treat everyone fairly, equally and with honesty.”

Music: Diamonds are forever by Shirley Bassey

This episode was first released in September 2022

The first of three episodes focussing on women who have experienced different hardships and have pulled through with strength, determination and grace. 

In episode 44, we hear from Khatija Kapasi who at the age of 80 years continues to work at Jivaji Auto Spares, their family business in Birmingham.

This episode goes live on 1 October 2022 and is in Gujarati

In episode 43, self-made and successful entrepreneur, Sudhir Ruparelia, shares his experiences of living in Uganda. After Idi Amin’s edict, he left Uganda, went to the UK and then returned. “Uganda never left us and we never left Uganda. In the UK, there was something missing in my life.”

Today, the Ruparelia group is the largest privately owned conglomerate in Uganda, with 25 companies in different sectors.

Music: Bow Harp (Adungu) near Lake Victoria by Sadam Seguya

This episode was first released in September 2022

Sudhir Ruparelia shares his experiences of growing up in Uganda, leaving and returning to the country of his birth.

Episode 43 goes live on the 15th September 2022

Season 4 continues with Raman Keshwala, who returned to Uganda in the 1990s. His main motivation was to reconnect with his parents who had moved back to Uganda. “There were many opportunities for starting new businesses. We liked the country and the future is bright for Uganda.”

Music: Gun Guna Rahe Hai Bhanvare by Asha Bhosle

This episode was first released in September 2022

This is a story of seizing opportunities. Raman Keshwala speaks about his motivation and experience of returning to Uganda. 

This episode goes live on 1 September 2022

A tribute to all mothers who experienced the expulsion from Uganda in 1972

Music: Tu Kitni Achi Hai, Tu Kitni Bohle Hai by Lata Mangeshkar

This episode was first released in August 2022

This episode is dedicated to the 80,000 Asians who were expelled in 1972 and to all Ugandans, past, present and future...

Music: People Power, Our Power by Bobi Wine

This episode was first released in August 2022

જેમ જેમ અમે સીઝન 4 ચાલુ રાખીએ છીએ, અમે હુસૈન લિરા પાસેથી સાંભળીએ છીએ, જેમણે યુગાન્ડામાં રહેવાનું પસંદ કર્યું છે. એપિસોડ 39 માં, તે અમને કહે છે કે તેણે શા માટે ત્યાં રહેવાનું નક્કી કર્યું. તે એ પણ સમજાવે છે કે હકાલપટ્ટીએ અર્થતંત્ર પર કેવી અસર કરી. આજે, તે કમ્પાલામાં રહે છે. “મેં વિશ્વના ઘણા ભાગોમાં પ્રવાસ કર્યો છે. યુગાન્ડા એ છે જ્યાં હું ઘરે સૌથી વધુ અનુભવું છું. આ તે છે જ્યાં મારું હૃદય છે."

સંગીત: મેહદી હસન દ્વારા રફ્તા, રફ્તા વો મેરી હસ્તી કા સામન

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As we continue Season 4, we hear from Hussein Lira, who chose to stay in Uganda. In episode 39, he tells us why he decided to remain there. He also explains how the expulsion impacted the economy. Today, he continues to live in Kampala. “

I have travelled to many parts of the world. Uganda is where I feel most at home. This is where my heart is.”

This podcast is in Gujarati

Music: Rafta, Rafta Woh Meri Hasti Ka Saman by Mehdi Hassan

This episode was first released in August 2022

As we continue Season 4, we hear from Hussain Lira, who chose to stay in Uganda. In episode 39, he tells us why he decided to remain there. He also explains how the expulsion impacted the economy. 

This podcast goes live on 1 August and is in Gujarati

As part of Season 4, we hear from Vicky Byaruagaba. In episode 38, Vicky shares his experiences of being an international level boxer during the Amin presidency. 

“Although it was an oppressive government, all sports benefitted as the President invested resources and we felt supported.” 

This really encouraged many young people to get involved in sports.

Music: Three little birds by Bob Marley

This episode was first released in July 2022

We hear from Vicky Byaruagaba about what it was like to be a boxer during the Amin presidency. 

This episode goes live on 20 July 2022

We kick off Season 4 with Graham Hobster, a biology teacher who worked at Kololo Secondary School in Kampala. He speaks about his teaching experience and also how it was to be in Uganda before, during and after the expulsion.

One day, while taking photographs of his students as they queued at the various embassies, he was arrested by an army official.  

“I was charged for being a neo-colonialist spy and Zionist infiltrator. I asked them to write it down as I had no idea what it meant…”

Music: Here comes the sun, Beatles (Instrumental) 

This episode was first released in July 2022

In this episode, I invite Sejal Sachdev to share her thoughts and reflections on Season 3. Sejal was born in Uganda and is part of the organising team for the 50th anniversary commemorative events in London, UK.

Music: Respect by Aretha Franklin

In this final episode of Season 3, we hear from Sanjay Patel. He is the author of the book, ‘My Hidden Journey’, which charts his life in Uganda and growing up in rural England. “It was a struggle. In those days, people had little exposure or knowledge of Indians. We were called Pakis and told to go back home.”

Music: Ajeeb dastan hai yeh by Lata Mangeshkar

This episode was first relesaed in June 2022

In this final episode of Season 3, we hear from Sanjay Patel about leaving Uganda and settling in the UK. 

He also shares his motivation for writing the book, My Hidden Journey.

This episode goes live on 15 June 2022.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway. What’s the worst that can happen?” 

In episode 35, we hear from Bina Briggs, the author of the book, ‘The Red Thread’ – the everlasting invisible connections between us. 

Bina shares her story of leaving Uganda, settling in the UK and her motivation for writing the book.

Music: Rahen Na Rahen Hum by Lata Mangeshkar

This episode was first released in June 2022

Bina Briggs speaks about her journey of writing the book 'The Red Thread' - the everlasting invisible connections between us.

This episode goes live on 1 June 2022

In episode 34 we hear from Yunus Shah, a radio presenter, businessman and lover of Urdu poetry. After several business ventures in the UK, Yunus returned to Uganda and started new enterprises. 

“It was like going back to the future. With the inner confidence I’ve gained from 30-odd years of living in the first world, I’ve been able to share so much.”

Music: Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar by Jaidev

This episode was first released in May 2022

Yunus Shah speaks about his experiences of setting up and managing businesses in the UK and in Uganda. 

This episode goes lives on 15 May 2022.

In this episode on the relationship between Indians and their businesses, we hear from Fatema Patwa. She was born in Uganda and left hurriedly with her parents, back in October 1972. Many years later, Fatema returned to Uganda. Today she manages the family businesses and lives between Birmingham and Kampala.

“While returning to Uganda has been challenging, I have learned so much and have grown as a person. I  am much more confident.”

Music: Anoushka Shankar & Patricia Kopatchinska – Raga Piloo

This episode was first released in May 2022

Fatema Patwa shares her experiences of growing up in Uganda and in the UK, and of returning back to Kampala. 

Episode 33 goes live on 1 May 2022.

In this episode I explore the relationship between Indians and their businesses, in Uganda and in the UK. In episode 32, Jaffer Kapasi speaks about his father’s business ventures and how from an early age he was groomed into the world of business. 

“It was compulsory for us to be in the shop everyday from 4-5pm. That is where I learned about the different products, pricing and serving customers.”

Music: Sanon Ik Pal Chain by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

This episode was first released in April 2022

Jaffar Kapasi speaks about his family's relationship with business, in Uganda and then in the UK. 

This episode goes live on 15 April.

Following the announcement by Idi Amin, what passport you held became paramount and determined where in the world you would end up. Najma Dawoodbhai shares her family’s experiences of navigating from one embassy to another. They finally found refuge in Pakistan.

“My biggest lesson is that we need to take each day as it comes because you don’t know what’s going to happen with your health or your wealth. You can have it one day; it can be gone tomorrow”.

Music: Imagine by John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band

This episode was first released in April 2022

Najma Dawoodbhai shares the experiences of her family, as they were sent from pillar to post, back in 1972. This episode goes live on 1 April 2022.

As part of the expulsion, thousands of people lost their citizenship and became stateless. Anthony Vassiliadis speaks about the way ICEM, now the International Organization for Migration (IOM), facilitated the resettlement of 5000 Ugandan Asians back in 1972.

"The International Red Cross issued travel documents that were valid for one trip only. ICEM chartered planes that flew people out from Uganda to camps in Europe. From there, different countries accepted them as refugees.”

Music: Debussy - Arabesque No.2

This episode was first released in March 2022

Anthony Vassiliadis, now aged 90 years, shares his experience of managing the resettlement programme of Ugandan Asians back in 1972. 

This episode goes live on 20 March 2022.

As we see the horrors of the refugee crisis unfolding in Ukraine, Ashifa Dhillon shares what happened to her family almost 50 years ago. The pain of separation is all too familiar and extremely distressing to hear.

“My mother, who lived like a ‘queen’, lost everything because of what Idi Amin did. She never ever saw all her siblings, children and grandchildren again in one place.”

Music: Que Sera, Sera, Doris Day – instrumental version

This episode was first released in March 2022

Ashifa Dhillon shares what happened to her family following the announcement by President Idi Amin, back in August 1972. This episode goes live on 10 March 2022.

Back in September 2021, I had a conversation with Ryhana Manji and her mother, Rubab Hassanali. This is a story of overcoming adversity. The family left Uganda and ended up in New York via Rome. All lives changed as a result of the expulsion. However, the impact was most acutely felt by the women, who had to adjust to a completely new life. “We never spoke about what happened to us as a community and I feel that was a really big mistake. That is a big lesson for the future.”

This podcast is in English and in Gujarati

Music: Grand Orchestre Taarab de Zanzibar – Rajaab Suleiman

This episode was first released in March 2022

In this story of survival, mother and daughter share their respective experiences of leaving Uganda and ending up in New York City. Rubab Hassanali, aged 92 years is the oldest contributor to this series. This episode goes live on 1 March 2022.

As part of Season 3, I have a conversation with Tina Athaide who shares her journey of writing the novel, ‘Orange for the Sunsets’. As an educator, she noticed there were hardly any books that depicted the experiences of children of colour. Motivated to capture her heritage, she wrote many versions of the book. It took 12 years and 30 rejections before it was finally published.

“What I like about the book now is that it isn’t biased towards what happened to the Indians, but also gives credence to the African experience.”

Music: Jambo - Hakuna Matata by Boney M

This episode was first released in February 2022

Catch the full story of Tina Athaide's journey of writing the book, Orange for the Sunsets, out on 15 February 2022.

As part of Season 3, I have a conversation with Claire Duende. She is the author of the novel, ‘The Fortunicity of Birdie Dalal’. While she has no family/personal connection to Uganda, she found herself getting more and more curious about the expulsion. “Many people have said they had no idea this had happened. One good thing is that the book shines a light on that historical event.”

Music: Jambalaya by Jo Stafford (1952)

This episode was first released in January 2022

Claire Duende shares her journey of writing the book, The Fortunicity of Birdie Dalal. This episode goes live on 1 February 2022.

We kick off Season 3 with Urmila Patel’s story. She is the author of ‘Out of Uganda in 90 days’, a personal memoir of her turbulent journey from Uganda to India and Belgium. She strongly believes in telling our stories to everyone, especially the children and grandchildren.

“Through writing, I was able to heal my own pain, and I hope it can help heal the pain of others.”

Music: Ek pyaar ka naghma hai (Life is a tale of love) – Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh

This episode was first released in January 2022