This is an oral history interview with Avtar Singh Jouhl, recorded between October 1991 - February 1992, as part of the Birmingham Black Oral History Project (BBOHP), discussing his life in India and the UK.
Avtar lived in Punjab, India until 1958 when he left college and travelled to England hoping to continue his studies. He worked in foundries in Birmingham and joined the Indian Workers Association after experiencing inequalities in the workplace. He talks about his upbringing in rural Punjab, India, his involvement with Trade Unions and politics and his work and family life in Birmingham.
These recordings include racially explicit content, including discussions of racism, prejudice and violence; and language and phrasing that we would not use today. Some of this content might be unsuitable for younger listeners or triggering for People of Colour.
We recommend reading the description for each track before choosing to listen.

R1185
 
Track 01 Standards of Living
Avtar talks about how standards of living have changed for later generations of people of Indian origin
 
Track 02 Standards of Living (continued)
Avtar talks about how standards of living have changed for later generations of people of Indian origin
    
Track 03 Losing Connection with Home
Avtar talks about how few migrants returned to their home country
    
Track 04 The Importance of Property Ownership
Avtar talks about the importance to Punjabis of owning one’s own property
 
Track 05 Person’s Trade and Religion Sub-Divisions Still Prevalent in the UK
Avtar talks about Punjabi Jut land owners and other sub-divisions of trade and religion
 
Track 06 The Influence of Feudalism Still Around
Avtar talks about how the influence of centuries of feudalism continues in migrant communities
 
Track 07 Intercaste Marriages Causing Bad Feelings / Multi Cultural Community
Avtar talks about the acrimony caused by intercaste marriages and how community centres should not be related to religion
 
Track 08 Integration Not Assimilation
Avtar talks about migrants being able to keep their own culture and integrate with the whole community
 
Track 09 The 1970s Trend For Westernisation
Avtar talks about the 1970s trend for westernisation among migrants seeking an identity
 
Track 10 Changes in Living Standards
Avtar talks about changes in living standards and how those changes came about
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