Jayanti Shah MBE
Jayanti describes his life journey from Kenya to the UK, during British Raj, detailing the contrasts and challenges he faced.
In Kenya, he lived a carefree life within a segregated society under apartheid.
He pursued education, eventually traveling to the UK on a student visa. The culture shock of arriving in England in 1968 was significant, with differences in technology, infrastructure, and social norms. He shares his experiences navigating university life as a vegetarian, finding specialised food sources, and adjusting to the British social scene.
He recalls the difficulty of understanding pub conversations and the power of language. Jayanti discusses his assimilation, dealing with racism through humour, and the importance of his name. He highlights his community involvement in Southampton, his perspective on identity and belonging, and his surprise at receiving an MBE in 2022. He stresses the value of human interaction and understanding.

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