Personal experience of Pankaj Nathwani

Education is key in life

My family and I left Uganda for the first time and landed in the UK exactly 50 years ago on Thursday 12th October 1972. It was freezing cold and I was dressed like I would be in Uganda, in shorts with a short sleeve shirt when we landed in the UK. None of the Ugandan Asians were prepared for the situation we found ourselves We were taken to an army camp in Wales by train where we were provided with warm cloths. The army barracks would become home but no one knew for how long. The uncertainty of what we’d be doing tomorrow or what the future had in store for us was the least of our worries. Not being able to speak English was the massive hindrance. After a few weeks in the army camp, we moved to Luton where my father’s distant cousin lived. Luton was to become home for 6 months. At that time, Luton seemed like a nice place compared to the army camp. We lived in a rental home owned by an Asian family. My first school was also in Luton.

Settled in Hemel Hempstead

My father’s friend helped us get a council home in Hemel Hempstead and we’ve here since. My mother and father both worked to pay the bills and my sister and I went to school. Schooling was difficult with English being a problem. We made school friends who lived near us and we were able to learn from them. Coming to the UK at a young age made learning English easier. My parent never really managed to learn English. Whilst I did well during my short time at school in Uganda, I never really excelled at educationally in the UK. This was partly because of the language issue, partly because my parent were able to guide me as they did not understand the system and partly because in Uganda kids just got through it on their own. It was only when I flopped at O Levels (predecessor to GCSE) and I realised there were not many doors open to me I decided to knuckle down work hard. Started at the local college to do O Levels in one year instead of 2 years. Apart from English (grade C) I got an A in all the subjects motivating me to study for A Levels. I went on to do a BSc Hons Computer Science at Leicester and there my educational journey ended. I think because of my own personal experiences, I’ve always been keen to stress the importance of education to my own children. I was lucky to get a second chance, but sometimes, there is will not be that second opportunity. I know my parents did the best they could for me given the circumstance we found ourselves in. I have happy memories of my childhood growing up in a loving family albeit being interrupted by the migration to the UK. I hope when my children look back, they feel the same and they too have happy memories of their childhood.

Selfless Service

With experience of my life, and the hardship my parents faced, made me realised life is precious. With this attitude, to day I am giving my selfless service to the community. At present I am a treasurer of charitable non-profitable organisation of Decorum Indian Society. My wife, during her spare time is actively, performing cultural garba (Indian dance) in Hemel Hempstead.