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.

R1186
Track 01 Improvements in Living Standards
Avtar talks about improving living standards and how taking in lodgers became less common
 
Track 02 Improvements in Living Standards
Avtar talks about living standards and the opportunities for further education among later generations
 
Track 03 Progress / Definitions of Rich and Poor Classes
Avtar talks about progress in terms of education and how Indians don’t use upper, middle or lower class but ‘rich and ‘poor’ instead
Track 04 Changes in Social Habits
Avtar talks about how meeting up with friends and family has changed since the 1950s
 
Track 05 Punjabi Shops and Businesses
Avtar talks about the how demand for Punjabi food and clothing prompted shops and businesses to start up
 
Track 06 Punjabi Women Workers Based at Home
Avtar talks about clothing manufacturers employing homeworking Punjabi women
 
Track 07 Losses following Collapse of BCCI (Bank of Credit and Commerce International)
Avtar talks about how the collapse of BCCI affected businesses and about institutional racism in the banking and finance industry
 
Track 08 Pooling Resources to by a Business
Avtar talks about how the family helped his daughter and son-in-law buy a retail business
 
Track 09 ‘For a Business Person Their God is Money’
Avtar talks about how business and religion do not mix
 
Track 10 ‘For a Business Person Their God is Money’ (Continued)
Avtar talks about how business and religion do not mix

 

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