Successful Book Launch in Batley: Our Heritage Part 2 Honours Indian Gujarati Immigrant Men and Women
On September 30, 2024, the much-anticipated book Our Heritage Part 2 was successfully launched in Batley, celebrating the courageous journey of Indian Gujarati immigrant men and women who migrated from India to the UK in the 1950s.
Edited by Ahmad Lunat ‘Gul’ OBE, the book is a tribute to the resilience and contributions of these immigrants to their families and new communities. Dr. Adam Ghodiwala, Imtiaz Patel Varediawala, Dr. A K Shakoor, and Abdul Aziz Ravat also played vital roles as part of the editorial team in bringing this remarkable project to life.
The launch attracted over 100 attendees, highlighting the broad interest in this important piece of history. Distinguished guests included Samantha Vicker, CEO of Batley Multi Academy, as the Hon. Chief Guest, and Iqbal Mohammed, MP for Dewsbury and Batley. Other notable attendees included Abdul Karim Gheewala, Hon. Chair of the Leicester Muslim Association; Dilavar Valli Dasanwala, Head of Munshi Education Campus and President of Vahora Voice UK (VVUK); and Aiysha Iqbal Khan, Senior Journalist at the BBC.
During the event, more than five women were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their exceptional contributions in education, journalism, community service, and for supporting their husbands in business and community life.
The event was amplified on social media by Iqbal Dhoriwala, Founder of VVUK and the World Federation of Vahora Families (WFVF), ensuring it gained widespread digital coverage.
The launch was made possible by the support of Vahora Voice UK (VVUK), Multicultural Resource Centre, Rais Academy, and The International Learning Movement UK (ILM UK), organizations committed to preserving and promoting the heritage, culture, and achievements of the South Asian community in the UK.
