The Journey Onwards

Nine siblings - born in the humble town of Kakamega, population: 782k; but where are they now, and how did they get there?

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Introducing my brand new podcast. An interview series of personal journals detailing the journey of members of my family who grew up in East Africa during a time when a major political shift changed the course of their lives forever In the 1970s, the seizure of power in Uganda by Idi Amin, and subsequent forced mass exile of foreigners, resulted in some fascinating tales for many members of my family. This series is a chance for me to find out more about the trials and tribulations of each of them, from childhood memories to the current day, and share these with the world, so that these stories and the lessons learnt have their own journey onwards through all its listeners. 

Now available on:  Spotify http://bit.ly/tjoseries  Anchor FM http://bit.ly/tjoanchor

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Episode 4 - Rupal and Shobana Amlani

Note - this episode has both Gujarati and English language content

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IOLh3D7JtfYdYuS2afhxv

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In part 2, I continue the conversation with my Dad, where he opens up more on a number of key areas of his life: - What the situation in Jinja was like just before he left. - Finding and working his first few jobs in London. - Going back to visit Jinja and his family. - Setting up shop to help the rest of his siblings come over from Uganda. - and many, many more fond memories of both Ba and Bapuji, the cornerstones of the Dattani family. - plus, a very thought-provoking final, fun, five questions. Link to part 1 of the conversation: https://anchor.fm/anand37/episodes/Episode-3-Part-1---Dinesh-Dattani-epf4m4

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Here’s my Dad. And in Episode 3, I had the great fortune of getting to sit down with him to relive his memories from childhood and schooling in Jinja, growing up with his siblings, and some more personal and sentimental recollections of his eldest brother, and parents.

Listen to part 1 here:

https://anchor.fm/anand37/episodes/Episode-3-Part-1---Dinesh-Dattani-epf4m4

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This is the publication from my Dad’s first ever experience of a British Winter after arriving in London in 1962. From the year-round glorious weather of Uganda - to crossing shores in search for a new adventure, education and to join a long-time friend - to one of the coldest winters on Britain’s record. What a brave move.

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Episode 2 - Avni Nicholls

This is my cousin Avni Nicholls, who at the age of 5 had to leave her hometown of Jinja following Idi Amin's demand for exile of the 'foreigners' in Africa. Hear about her journey and recollections of life growing up in Jinja as well as the UK, as well as memories of her father and my uncle. This episode is dedicated to him.

Episode 2 - Avni Nicholls - The Journey Onwards

In this episode, my cousin Avni, daughter of my belated uncle Vinu Dattani, gives her personal and heartfelt account of her early years in J

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(The songs of Mukesh) This one is an artery that runs thru all the brothers... and me

Upin Dattani

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"Even before his political life he was someone the youth could identify with"

Could this be the most peaceful handover of power in Ugandan history? 🙏🏽🌎

Uganda elections 2021: Who is Bobi Wine?

Uganda's Bobi Wine is aiming to unseat President Yoweri Museveni after 35 years in power.

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Episode 1 - Upin Dattani

In this first episode - I speak with Upin Dattani, who gives a very sincere and heartfelt insight into his years spent as a child in Jinja, through to moving to London as just a young teenager.

Hear all about what life was like for a child growing up and schooling in Jinja, and the need to adapt to a completely new society and culture in London. Being the oldest cousin of my generation, he also has some fascinating stories to share of the Dattani siblings, their ba (mum) and bapuji (dad), and even some entertaining insights into the cousins of our generation.

Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BHsCOGALl6PT6vN63WZgi

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Now available on Spotify!

The Journey Onwards on Spotify: bit.ly/tjoseries

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All blood does is make you related. But loyalty? It's loyalty that makes you Family.

Chris Diaz

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Who am I?

There’s me, in the green... the youngest of my generation. And these are just some of the cousins that make up the rich depth of the Dattani family. Even though we don’t all get to see each other very often, we are all very close when we do - and none of this would have been possible without how closely connected and supportive our parents remained to each other. 

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Introduction

In the early 1930s, Premjibhai Dattani left the village of Khambhodar, india, in search of better opportunities in the prospering East Africa. Through his hard work and dedication to philanthropic activities, he managed to not only set up the biggest supermarket in Kakamega, Kenya, but was also very highly regarded in the local community (so much so that people would have to seek his authority to visit the local gold mine). 

Upon meeting his wife, the Nanduben, the couple went on to have 10 children, one of them... my dad. in December 1950, convinced by the prosperity and great living conditions of Uganda, Premji(bhai) and Nandu(ben) left with my dad and his siblings for Jinja, Uganda..

As an incredibly close-knit family, the siblings lived a great childhood in the paradise of Uganda and shared some fascinating memories together before one-by-one making their way over to the UK...

But why did they leave? And how did life in the UK compare to East Africa?

As a gift to my family - past, present and future - the Journey Onwards (TJO) podcast is my chance to better understand the life of the generation before me, and have the legacy of their story continue for future generations to hear about.