Karunkar

Karunkar
2017-11-17 19:32:25 (UTC)

Memories

1942 Memories
It seems so long ago since arriving in the United Kingdom! I can remember when I was just 4 years of age, my dad was nowhere. Long before my birth he had gone with his Uncle to Africa in search of work! That didn't bother me because I thought my mother was the only one that mattered. My mother's brother was there to play at the time and calling him Maman didn't make any sense who he really was.
Then one day playing with a cousin, I fell from our Veranda to the platform below around three feet and broke my right arm between the wrist and the elbow. A village mad medicine man was called by my Maman! This mad man put splinters made out from Bamboo sticks around my little arm and tied it with torn sheets of cloth and kind of bandaged it. The splinters were now hidden and the pain stopped slightly. Days passed and my mother was told the splinters should remain for two weeks! Five days gone and I was burning with fever and my arm hurt so much that I wet my bed!
My mother took me to an English Doctor Qualified in English Medicine! He examined my arm and said gangrene has settled and amputation is the only solution and if not your child will die. About three miles from our village there was an Ayurvedic Medicine man who was well known! My mother took me to this man on foot walking three miles, carrying me. The Vaidian they called him! Looked at my arm and removed the bandage! The splinters had fused into my arm and puss splirted out.
This kind man removed each splinters, with flesh stuck to the splinters. i was in agony they, the people in that village could hear my scream a distance away, I was told. The Vaidian started his treatment on the wound caused by the splinters that had fused into the flesh of my arm. Rotten flesh came off and bare bone could be seen! The wound left a scar for me to remember the horrific pain that I had endured in my youth, for the rest of my life.
My dad arrived from Kenya and I was reluctant to go to him, when he spread his arm to carry me! My mother had to shove me and jesture to go forth and jump into my dad's arms. I was frightened and very shy, when I saw this fine figure of a man six feet and over! He appeared like a handsome giant, my neck hurt trying to reach his smiling glance! Tears ran down my cheeks with pain of anguish for him not being there when I wanted him most! My dad lifted me up and kissed me on both my cheeks. I was still in tears and my dad wiped my tears of my cheeks and patted my back in recognition.
We sailed on a cargo ship bound for Mombasa after touching Karachi. This was before India got Independence. A run away torpedo had hit the radder of the ship and the ship managed to limp into the Natural Harbour of Mombasa.
I was a little boy who did not understand why there was a war! I didn't understand what the war was about and when I saw everyone praying for the safety of our ship, I had more questions ringing round my brain. The Second World war was in its climax. On arrival at Mombasa Port, Muscular Africans boarded the ship to unload the cargo and our luggages as well. We had spent twenty-four days and nights sleeping on top of the hold with a make belief kind of beddings on top of the Tarpaulin laid hold. There were many others like us from all other parts of India and now Pakistan. On arrival at the port we lost sight of all the people who had sailed with us. They were assigned to different parts of Africa. We remained in Mombasa where my father was a clerk in a coffee curing company. My mother's Uncle had come to pick us up with his son Fred who later became my very best friend.
8/09/17
On 24th, May 1966 I arrived and set foot on English soil! Sailing on a French liner that was used for transporting Army and Navy personnel to and from all French colonies. The ship was called Ferdinand de Lapses, fitted with Hammocks, and the rocking and swinging motion of the ship wasn't helping my kid brother who was just 16 Years of age. Accompanying me for his further education and to enlighten our father's burden of bringing up his sibling all below me by many years. My sister is 8 years younger to me then the brother who sailed with me is 10 years younger to me and the last is 12 years.
Our dad with poor wages from The Municipal Office of Mombasa, was not enough to support his elder brother and his family and his own. Mombasa Kenya, was our home for many years, before taking a trip to United Kingdom on impulse and perhaps stupidity of mine! I never thought about what my future would be, where nobody was there to receive us! Suddenly I realised when the ship set sail from Mombasa, how and where I would have to reach to begin a new life. Suddenly tears ran down my cheeks, hidden from my brother's eyes. I left Mombasa from the comfort of my parents to a wilderness that I would encounter when and where my life would begin. I felt it was wrong of me to take that giant step with my little brother, to go forth blindly where I had no idea!
A friend from Kenya was at Notting Hill gate, where he had a small bedsit. My brother and I got into his room and collapsed on the floor! We had no sleep for 42 Hours. Our Landing on French soil was on 22nd, May and we reached Dover on 24th, May 1966. We took a train from Dover to Victoria I think and with our luggage, we caught a cab and reached Notting Hill Gate for 5 pounds. I didn't know how much the cost would be but we were too tired and exhausted. The same afternoon our host wanted us to visit Billy Graham's Preaching! He also wanted to show how to travel by underground tubes! He was all very excited to see a friend from Mombasa, where he had left a year ago.
Any news from home was a welcome tribute for the people who left seeking a new life. Discrimination was at the top 99.6% When I went to look for a bedsit the next day not knowing where we would end up! A woman with a cigarette in her mouth came to the door to answer my knock. Looked at me straight in the eye and said "can you not read English? No dogs and coloureds, get lost bastard" I almost cried and some people had said from Mombasa that discrimination is less in the North of England. Most people got hitched with the whites, to try and fill the gap from racism! wrong reasons I thought to myself and our friend from Notting Hill Gate was about to get married to a girl from Italy. That was his life and I wasn't going to say anything! From a Brahmin family to Christianity was a huge leap. But he stuck it out and even today he is still with his Italian wife. More than 51 years in wedlock. We often correspond and talk about my first encounter with racism. while my friend had a year before me to come to terms with the environment of racism! I was a hotheaded guy who had friends in Mombasa who had come face to face with discrimination and racism that went hand in hand in that small Island of Mombasa. But we could control the Aristocrats who thought they were better than us! It was our homeland and we grew up with tough opposition from the minority of white settlers. But now I am in a country where white supremacy ruled. I wondered how I am going to survive and how in the world am i going to obtain a job!
On the third day of arrival in London, we took a train to Liverpool. A friend of our father dwelled there and we were asked to see him for guidance! On arrival we took a taxi to his premises and had a meal almost like our mother used to make. We ate and cherished what we received. We were driven to the YMCA by his son in law! We stayed the one night together and the next morning I asked my brother to return to London and try to take up any job to keep him going, until I found a permanent job and a place to stay. Letters were the only option! My friend in London had invited my brother to stay until I was settled. We only had 300 Pounds when we left Kenya and that was running down very fast.
At a Pig-food Manufacturing company, had given me a contract to cut down a steel structure by using (gas) Acetylene and Oxygen cutting implement. I was to complete the job in 5 days for 50 Pounds! I am a Marine Engineer and had used such gas cutting and gas welding during my training. Every morning, I had to leave the YMCA without any breakfast and my only nourishment was the free cup of tea I received from their canteen at 9am. This continued for four days and I completed the cutting by lunch time on the fourth day! When I asked for my pay, the Accounts people refused to pay me and said my contract was for five days and I will have to do some menial work like loading the wagon with heavy loads on my back! So I started to load the wagon! On my second trip with heavy sack I collapsed. The boss paid me and I got to the YMCA and had a meal at a Chinese Restaurant.
10/09/2017
I still had to look for a job and September was nearing and my mind was filled up with anxiety and stress because my kid brother was still in London doing Menial jobs like waiter at a Restaurant and going through the jobcentre I was given a job as a Production Manager in a Cable Manufacturing Company in Liverpool. I was given the opportunity of meeting the workers who would be directly in my command. I then was taken to my office where a man was screwing my name on the door. I took the writing pad to send a letter to my brother asking him to come and the good news of employment. But my happiness was short lived! When a knock on the door, my fear came to reality.
The Managing Director, with his head down said "Mr. Nair I don't know how to say this, but the workers put their tools down with strike action! They will not work under a coloured person, I am afraid you will have to leave! We cannot give you any Employment." The workers who smiled and welcomed me and shook my hand, were stabbing me in the back. I was so very upset, tears ran down my cheeks and anger towards the two faced workers made me realise that I wasn't going to obtain any job in the United Kingdom. I made up my mind for the next interview I will be relaxed and be a little cocky. I won't give in to anymore humiliation. There were other job interviews waiting for me and one was from Imperial Chemical Industries a recognised company inviting for shift fitters! I felt I should take this job if I am successful in the Interview.
My heart sank when I entered the waiting room. I was the only dark person among 20 or more white personal for 6 jobs! My qualification stood right in front of other applicants. I was a Marine Engineer and was more qualified than any other applications and if I don't get this measly job I would leave the country.
To my surprise, there were three replies waiting for me in the YMCA. I had moved out of the one Guinea a night to a more affordable Two Pounds Ten shillings bedsit where I could buy some milk and weetabix for my breakfast. The replies were one that my Interview was successful and the second letter asking me to go for an interview at the factory at Clitheroe works. I had no Idea where in the world was Clitheroe! Asking around I found the National bus service would take around 1 Hour and a half from Liverpool to Clitheroe and I took the bus for the day and left very early one morning and arrived at the gate of ICI where I was greeted by one of the Personals, who took me around the factory where primitive Machines making pellets! On Machines called Manesty! I had worked in more sophisticated Machine whilst in Kenya. I didn't say anything and the same smiling white men greeted me and shook my hand.
A cold shiver ran over me and brought back some bitter memories from Liverpool. I had to be patient to find out how long I would last in a job that was below my capability. I had to swallow my pride and get on with the work I was assigned to do. I started Employment on India's Republic day the 15 th, of August 1966.
Travelling by bus early morning and one mile walk to the factory was alright in the beginning. The first week was the introduction and the second week they put me into the Maintenance where I had to do piece work to obtain points to reach the ongoing level of fitters. In other words, How many items can you repair in an hour! The estimators would come round and we had to show the amount of work carried out for a bonus. It was terribly important to them how soon I could conquer the ability to do a job faster! In my mind the precision of my work was more important than the speed! But I had to follow the rules of the company and it didn't matter to them if the machine would work, to it's, full capacity. I had no money, just enough for my bus travels and the cigarettes, which I smoked I didn't have the money to buy any food.
I starved for a week with no food just some water. I Built up enough courage to ask the personal Manager for an advance and I was given 5 Pounds. After receiving the money I bought some milk and ate a little. After two weeks in employments I asked my brother to return to Blackburn, where I found a suitable bedsit at 6 Shear Brow A very hilly place with a Pakistani family. They were very nice and treated me with great respect. Sometimes they would feed me with Chicken curry and Chapati. On the third week they put me on shift! I was an expert on Hydraulics and Pneumatics and at that time they had several Machines known as Bypells, and it was my duty to make it functioning again. Within my first seven nights of shift work I managed to make three of the machine into working order! In the meantime they even managed to change my name from Thayil to Tommy. I became Tommy Nair. From that time onwards Everyone addressed me as either just Tom or Tommy! The discrimination continued into my work as well. The boys who came as Apprentices were trained by me, became my supervisors! How uncanny was that? It was humiliating! The politics in that company was so very bad. I swallowed my Nair pride and learnt to be patient.
One morning in 1967 during winter, I was walking towards the ICI works, when a car stopped next to me! I assumed the gentleman was offering me a lift. So I open the door and sat in thanking him! He asked me to get out of his car and said he stopped for one of his friend. I got out and his friend said "why don't you give the poor blighter a lift?" In reply he said " let the Black Bastard walk". I wasn't used to the cold and tears ran down my cheeks when I heard his remarks. The warmest coat I had was a sports jacket which had a very thin lining, made out of polistarine which I bought from Mombasa. I walked toward ICI and the Ribble Cement which was just opposite our company. One day on a shift change I met the same rude person! He was a production worker and I took my revenge by making him work when he was assigned to me. I confronted him and asked "If I was a black Bastard what makes him?" He apologised to me in front of many who witnessed such behavior. One morning after finishing my nine hour shift, I was packing up my tools when a day worker pushed me and called me a lazy black bastard. I fell on to a machine, fortunate for me, the machine was not running.
A watch which my father gave me broke into shedders I felt very sad and reported the matter to the shift Supervisor! Who then reported the matter to the Engineer a Mr. Joe Sand! Who had the Audacity to turn the table and put the whole blame on to me! Asking me to apologise to a white supremacy and I refused. They then said that the incident will be in my record as a bad omen. So be it I said and walked out from the office.
13/09
I had just turned 18 and my dad surprised me on my birthday with a brand new blue trimmed Hercules bicycle! I was so very happy and everyone in my group envied me! During a sports event in the Mombasa stadium I rode my new bicycle and entered a cycle race where many had racing bicycles! They all looked at me with a smear but I kept my cool and won the contest. After the race I went out of the Stadium, there I had an encounter that keeps reminding me of an incident! I will write this incident at a later date and time!
Returning back to my time in the United Kingdom! I remember like it was just yesterday, My dad had a stroke in 1969, the year I was to be married to someone I never knew. Our writing to each other made our connection possible. I returned to Mombasa to find some close family friends were trying to take advantage of my dad who were suffering from the stroke related illness.
I had given my service to ICI for more than 28 years and half of it was on shift When I had the chance after a long discussion with the management, I started technical work and always did my work with precision and I was paid for my suggestion on new inventions that was connected to the works. The person who was an Apprentice when I joined ICI in 1966, was given the job of a Supervisor! He was Immature and arrogant. Harry was his name, he was one of the old white only kind of person and was always trying to fault me at my job. He was the reason I had to resign from my job! This man had indirectly made the management believe that I should be removed from the job! To fool the Management, this man made me his deputy Supervisor and I gave the best of my ability during his absence! But the credit of my work was taken over by him with the help of some ignorant workers who took it as a laugh! It wasn't a laughing matter for me, I had to struggle for every bit of my achievements.
Even when I suggested an improvement in innovation, there were people to stab me from behind. Naming them would be the best way to shaming them like how the media tries to hide the face to protect them!
I am now 79 and married to my lovely wife! We have our ups and downs and we make up after a few minutes. My mouth is very much filled with sarcasm and I do upset my wife with words that fall out without thinking sometimes.
My daughter just gone 45, with her two daughters, my grandchildren keeps me busy with the work that is cut out driving them here, there and everywhere! That I suppose keeps me busy and my mind alert.
Building a house in Kerala had made my mind alert to an extend to Plan, and draw the type of house that I will be proud of one day. It took me eight months to complete and live in it! The furnitures were designed and made to my likings! The carpenter has become my very close friend and my in laws get agitated when I befriend with the workers, who had helped me build my beautiful home in a remote part of Kerala known as Chazhur, about eighteen kilometers from Trichur town.
Then my second task was to refurbish a rundown Bungalow! The shell of my house was a nightmare! But after doing it up, I am so very proud of my achievements. I now have achieved in building a complete house and refurbish a semi-detached Bungalow to live in and my neighbours were so impressed that they want to give their house a facelift.
15/4
Today is Vishu a celebration that take place in Kerala! It is our new year, where we go blind when we wake up to see Kani a long tradition passed on by our ancestors! We open our eyes in front of oil lit lamps and see only what we are supposed to see to bring us prosperity and happiness. This day we are supposed to have only vegetarian meals! All the tradition are not repeated as it was told in the olden bygone days! But some of us try to follow! Gifts are handed down to the youngsters as a coin what is known as Vishu Kyneettam and we the elders become poppers.





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