When Idi Amin came to power in Uganda in 1971, he expelled the Indian community from the country. Indians in Uganda ran most of the businesses and spearheaded the local economy in East Africa back in those days.
Most members of the Indian community emigrated to the UK, arriving only with their lives in their hands. They were forced to start over and build their lives from scratch. But slowly with time and efforts, they rose to positions of societal and political importance in the UK. (Former Home Secretary Priti Patel is a descendant of this community while Rishi Sunak is a descendant of Indian immigrants from Kenya)
Meanwhile, the businesses in East Africa which were handed over to the locals tanked. The Indians had left, and they took their business acumen with them. Idi Amin would be overthrown a few years later. Never again would economic stability be regained in this part of the world.
Rishi Sunak's elevation to the highest office in the UK is a watershed moment for a community which has always been an ambassador of the larger cultural values and ethos of India.
Wondering what Mr. Churchill would be thinking of in his grave, seeing a man of Indian descent occupy his former position- we are truly living in a multi cultural world.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Always feel free to comment