I'm an engineer, entrepreneur, storyteller, author,
a painter, a photographer a blogger and a visionary.
Born in
Standerton, South Africa, of Indian origin, I was educated in the primary years
at my home town school, Indian and Coloured School, Standerton.
It was
around this time my parents realized that the education system for non-whites
was not conducive for growing up minds and was sent to Bombay India.
I was educated in the public school attending Hansraj Morarji Public School in Bombay. I received my Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bombay in 1974.
Job reservation in South Africa forced me to sign on an Apprenticeship as a
turner machinist to allow me to be in Engineering. Working as a tool
Engineer and later as a Design engineer I wrote my views of the Universe and
the Creator but never published it.
My passion to be in engineering allowed me to start a Plastic Converting
Industry in Injection Moulding of plastics. My two sons, also Engineers have picked
up the loose ends and have expanded the business.
I currently serve on the advisory level of the Family Business and have
published my first book “Existence Downloaded Terminated” with much
required help from Govdhan Industries.
The Internet made researching new thoughts in science, astronomy, philosophy, arts
and new inventions possible in many disadvantaged situations for my
stimulated intellect.
I am third from a family of eight children
of Govan and Dhani. My parents were ill littered and lived a simple life with
an aim to educate all of us. Poverty and ill literacy were the obstacles yet
they managed to get most of us graduated with university or technical degrees.
The Apartheid government with job
reservation was demoralizing and selective. Returning home armed with a
university degree was the most humiliating situation of my life. Here I quote
some of my experiences; the first was when I was called for an interview, and I
entered the office with a beautiful white lady sitting on the reception. When I
told her that I was there for an interview for the advertised post she
immediately picked up the phone and said “Maar hier staan 'n fokken koelie”
(But here stands a fucking coolie; Indian)” Coming from a democratic
country I walked out not waiting for a reply. While getting used to insults,
ill human treatment, and excuses, I fought the injustice in my own little way.
Secondly being the only Indian in an office with many whites of all European
nations in the workplace a non-white tea lady refuses to serve me tea just
because there was an objection from the many whites and so it went on, but with
every obstacle, I created my own views and one of them is “MY FREE SA”. And the
poem My South Africa
In the late eighties while working for a
mining group going underground was a problem because there were no showers for
the Indians. One of the mine managers invited me and told me to use his ablution
facilities. Things had to change and having project experience I decided to go
on my own and started a plastic converting industry. Apartheid still followed
me and many white South African companies would not supply me with material
giving preference to only white companies.
In the nineties, labor unions started to
destroy what I created in terms of wealth and employment. Labour unions got my
entire staff against my company with the slogan “You Indians go back to your
country of origin.” Sadly my company was on the verge of bankruptcy with many
other companies suffering the same plight.
In 1995 with the independence of South Africa,
I was ready to serve the nation with my knowledge and wisdom. My scholarship
was my guide, see the attached award letter.
I quote " I am confident that this award will lead to a rewarding experience and that your scholarship will effectively help you to contribute to the development of your country."
I started attending political
meetings to understand the new dispensation. In one of the meetings, there were
some catcall “abafuni amacoola lapha (do not want Coolies -Indians here.)” This
disappointed me and finally, I became ‘apolitical’ where I belong to no
political parties and joined my children giving my company a new image. By then
the Chines and the Indian companies started to dump finished plastic goods in
South Africa destroying the local industries. The ANC government took no action
with corrupted government officials.
I realize that in the Apartheid government
I was not white enough and in the ANC government, I was not Black enough to hold
any positions to add value to South Africa. Political leaders encouraged hatred
for educated Indians like me and having realized a political instigation, I
searched for another way to help my nation, I am a proudly South African having faith in Sanatana Vedic
Hindu Dharma. I have been a student of Jñāna Yog (The Yoga
of Knowledge) and wanted to share my experience studying our Hindu Dharma.
Sharing knowledge is one of the principles of Hindu Dharma. This inspiration
came from India who offered this scholarship to South Africans with the recommendation
of The United Nations development program.
My thankful gratitude is herewith extended to
India, the United Nations, and the ANC
My commitment to serving
South Africa was always in my consciousness. Finally sold the company to my
children and retired.
I was also a student of
the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and found time with peace to study it. This
time I was empowered with the following shloka.
Chapter 3, Verse 18: A
self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed
duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to
depend on any other living being.
Chapter 2, Verse 47: You
have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the
fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results
of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
South Africa is my land of birth and duty
hence my objective of leaving the country had no grounds. I decided to inspire
people with my writings passing on my knowledge and wisdom and help train staff
in my children’s company.
It is then my inner ambitions started to
take over and started to research and writing down my experiences with the aim to inspire fellow
South Africans.“This is my story, of my struggles and victories. Each
one of you will have to chart your own course; make your own mistakes and learn
from them.”
My South Africa
Where the ancestors live forever
Hail Madiba for his endeavor
Dawn of freedom colors this sky.
Wake up South Africa is my cry.
A lazy nation is a slave.
A bright future is to save.
Unity lies on this mortal soil
Rise, my people, it's time to toil.
Where the Lions roar in the jungles
And the Leopards seek its prey.
The buffaloes laze in the waters
And the rhinos mark its domain
Elephants graze the vast lands.
Trumpeting the divine call
Come to see Africa.
A land of nature's gift
Where gold and coal bring money
A country of milk and honey
Maize relieves hunger.
Wines evoke joy and laughter.
Gifted with seasons fruits
Rewards nature with its juice
Be blessed to till this land
South Africa has made a brand.
Where the two oceans meet
Embracing the mother city
Table Mountain is elite.
Serve a vision so pretty.
Many came from the east and west.
Made history sailing by
Near an island of a contest
City of passion and beauty
Where freedom was taken and given
Many sailed the seven seas.
Black and white is we
Living with predators and prey
Some stayed to live forever.
Made the culture of today
South Africans are one nation.
Proud and happy as can be
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