December

This Painting tells a story true, Of times gone by and of someone who Represents a generation Whose courage, sweat and determination, Made us, who we are today By laying the foundations and paving the way For a better life on foreign shores, A life of opportunity and open doors Previously closed to his Indian race - Which was deemed inferior by the whiter face Of a Nation still steeped in Empire days, With its cultural supremacy and colonial ways.

This someone was born not so far From the Golden Temple in Amritsar. There he lived to the age of eight Till India's politics changed his fate And British policy of divide and rule - (Which fanned the fire and added fuel To a call for freedom based on religious division) - Ended in the bloody Partition Of historic Punjab, the land of five rivers And home of the Sikhs whose swords and quivers Protected all, against invasion and tyranny Defending justice, equality and the right to be free.

Away from India's strife and turmoil His father, working on English soil Called for the family to join him there Sending them the journey's fare. So holding tight his Mata ji's hand He left behind his Motherland. Setting sail from the port of Bombay And braving the oceans all the way To Tilbury Dock near London's heart, Then onwards to another part Of England - south of the Pennine Hills And a city famed for its cotton mills.

Manchester was his new home's name But nothing about it was the same As the culture and people he'd left behind, Yet continued to cherish in his heart and mind. Although only nine, he worked, door to door Selling pure silk stockings, ties and more Alongside his father - following family tradition, Whilst dreaming all day of a higher ambition To seek a profession that would in effect, Earn him a position of social respect, That challenged the Englishman's stereotype view Of all Indians as "coolies" - except for a few.

As a young man he looked for a skilled career And worked for a while as an engineer. Through comics and books he learned to read And write the language he knew he would need To become an educated man And pursue his extraordinary plan To study for a medical degree - A first, in his own community And unheard of then, in a time and place Where class division, colour and race Kept you where you were born to be And dictated your position in society.

Defying the sceptics and against all odds He succeeded by taking on multiple jobs To support his family and pay his fees Through London and Liverpool Universities. Times were hard and it was not with ease That he graduated (in fact with several Degrees) As a Bachelor of Medicine and of Surgery With Honours in Science and a PhD. Yet still, his achievements did not wane. After becoming a Doctor he bought a plane Gained a pilots licence, and then, A Certificate in Aviation Medicine.

Reaching Forty, he longed to roam Back to India and his ancestral home. So, being himself an adventurous man He built, with his brothers, a caravan. And drove his family from the port of Dover Through Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan and over The Wagah border into India at last Where for nine months they travelled, exploring their past. Visiting palaces, shrines and historic places And discovering India's many faces. Then, back to England, with a reviving stay In romantic Venice along the way.

Hidden within this painting too Are details relating to just a few Of the stories which we, the artists concur Speak volumes about the character Of someone who, for us, reflects The qualities and values we respect. A man of science but also of Art A mighty lion with a gentle heart A man of compassion who's not thought twice About making personal sacrifice For the sake of family, which he holds dear. Principled, determined, fair and sincere.

This someone - we feel blessed to say, Is our father, who in every way Has been a pillar to us all, Inspired our lives and helped us stand tall As daughters, who he's enabled to see That being proud of your heritage and identity And striving to be the best you can be, Brings fulfilment, dignity and security - Not only to oneself and one's family But, to the rest of your community. And that whatever obstacles are put in your way With belief and hard work, you can win the day.

Whilst offering this tribute to our father dear, two things stand out, undeniably clear:

To 'All That [he] Is', there is so much more than this painting alone, can fully explore, And in the life of this precious man, lies the story of all that we've been, and I am.