27th Picture

Although this picture is of The Baltic International Food Store in Armthorpe, I used the picture to signify immigration in general.

As the son of an immigrant myself, clearly my views of this topic will differ from most but I think I have a better understanding of the topic because I have experienced it first hand.

My dad first came to this country back in the late 50’s. 

Before I continue the story I want you try to put yourself in his shoes just for a few moments. Imagine yourself in your late 30’s early 40’s and you decide to move to a new country. You can’t speak the language; you don’t know anyone there; you have little or no money; all in the hope of making a better life for yourself.

 

Would you take such a huge gamble in the remote chance you’ll make a better life for yourself than the one you left behind?

This is a question I’ve asked myself on many occasions and to be honest I think my answer would have to be no.

Anyway back to my dad’s story.

He came to this country with only a couple of pounds to his name, and his original plan was to make some money and go back to India to set up a family business.

To achieve his goals he worked two different jobs, both were in mill factories in Huddersfield. (This story isn’t unique to my dad, most immigrants are prepared to work this hard to try and make a future for themselves and their families, and I think this is one of the reasons why employers are so keen to hire them. that work ethic is a very rare commodity).

Very soon he had enough money and he moved back to India where indeed he did set up a family business. And there he would have stayed had circumstances outside his control not forced him back to England.

On a personal note I’m very glad he came back. I can’t imagine how my life would have turned out had I still lived in India.

Ammo