This audio recording is raw, unedited material of an interview with Mr G.J. Ganatra, born in India in 1907, having worked in Uganda for many years before moving to Britain as a refugee.

He recalls his early life in India, living in a small village and, for a number of years, his family was wealthy due to his fathers’ business success. He speaks about his marrying at age 13 to a girl age 15 and having two children by the time he was 17 years old, moving to Uganda, Africa in 1933. He remained there for two years and returned to India, by which time his fathers’ business had lost a lot of money and faced many problems, so he moved back to Africa, this time to Tanzania.

He discusses the work he had to do, working in factories for low pay, managing accounts and eventually becoming general manager of 3 factories. He speaks of the poverty he saw in Africa and the life experience he gained there, especially after coming from a wealthy family.

He goes on to speak about experiences of moving to Britain as a refugee, and gaining respect in a refugee camp by helping the administrators solve problems quickly and being invited on to their committee. He speaks about his work as a social worker, commenting on problems faced by Asians arriving in Britain.

He speaks about his philosophy on life, his belief in the arranged marriage system and religion, also mentioning health and the benefits of Indian medicines.

Please note that, as this is raw audio material, there are a few pauses during the recording where the tape was stopped but the overall sound quality is good. This audio recording last 48 minutes and 51 seconds.

The original recording is held by the East Midlands Oral History Archive at the University of Leicester (EMOHA ref. 836, LO/200/151).