Individual results

Name: Naranjan Kaur Sandhu
PA Number: PA2671/4/55
Ref: N/A
Date of interview: 25 Feb 2011
Date of Birth:
Origin: Indian
Gender: Female
Religion: Sikh
Language of Interview: Punjabi
Timing: 1:01:54

TRANSLATION/SUMMARY of interview

2.08 Talking to interviewer

2.40 My sister and I got married together as she was weak and they thought she could look after her. My husband is eight years older than me.

3.49 I have four children, some born in India, one born in England. Apologised for not having photograph of son with me.

4.39 I have four sisters and one brother. I did not go to school , although my sister went. Grandfather sent her husband a permit they he sent a permit to her come to England. I lived in (140) Eagle Street, then bought a house in Ransom Road.

7.51 Landed at Heathrow airport, when it was just field and wood, now Heathrow is very big. It was cold when we landed. My husband made a bathroom at home.

13.49 (Asked about living accommodation) Lots of people lived together in the house before them. When she came it was two families. It was really hard work to stand in the kitchen. Asked about Indian shopping, She did it herself and everything was cheap.

17.40 The wedding took place at John Gulson School, we have not Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book). Trying to get it from Nottingham and Birmingham. Found out that Daram Singh live at 7 Red Lane House, and he has Guru Granth Sahib at home. Then we celebrate Sangat in the school (Red Lane). Then we looking for place for Gurdwara. It cost ten pound per head if working. We needed a place for weddings. Then we get Harnall Lane GuruDwara. First of all only five people on the committee, they do everything.

24.39 Where the Gurdwara was there is a house now with a water tap outside. Husband used money to build Gurdwara.Her husband did the Kirtan.

30.53 It is easy to get anything, such as potatoes and cauliflower, but clothes just simple not like todays' fashions. Knitted jumper and cardigan myself.

33.47 All ladies used to sit together and they lived near by. There were lots of Indian men, but few Indian ladies here. My children went to John Gulson School. I take them and pick them up. Once my whole family got colds and fevers and had no strength to go upstairs, an English lady neighbour, came and put mattresses downstairs and gave us soup. She cam one day and asked if I could provide her with some Indian tea, for her and her friends one had lived in India, she the asked me to cook some Indian food the choice of food was mine. I made cauliflower, veg and lentil dahl. They all enjoyed it and were so happy they licked their fingers!. I do not know the name of all the ladies but know her name was Emily she was from the church.

36.30 Not sure if she was a vicar, but she always wore black. Came from Eagle Street church which has been bought by Pakistani's. Asked about the difference in giving birth in India to England. Said it's a stupid question - In India children are born at home, in England they are born in hospital with nurses doing everything for me, then after twelve days came home.

38.54 After that midwife came to see you at home. Take the baby to the clinic (Broad Street Clinic). They check the baby's weight. Midwife didnt tell her how to look after the baby. Breastfed the baby for the first few months, then fresh milk. I did not speak English but they seemed to understand, and I learnt some words myself. A boy lived in the house who was educated and worked in 'Courthaulds', he was always there when the doctor came to see us. There was no problem in the hospital about the meals i eat everything, but I am now vegetarian.

40.52 My family/friends are not here, but when my daughter and son got married we had a relationship with other family. We have not got a car so we go everywhere by bus or we hire a minibus.

44.23 I am not sad about leaving my family in India. Everyday, because we are not working, we get together in each other's house. We write to family in India and when a letter is received we get together to share. The first time I went back to India was in 1966, because my mother was ill. By the time i came back the Gudwara was open. My husband said 'I bought ticket for you'. Monday we got the letter, Tuesday I wash my clothes, Wednesday, midnight, was my flight. I had five pounds with me that day, money could not be taken with you. When my flight landed in Bombay there was no one to meet me. A friend from Nottingham listened to my story and I asked if I could share the cost could I travel with them. They dropped me off in City Croria? about 7 o'clock. At that time there were no buses or horse-carts (tagra). I saw a shop-keeper closing his shop and enquired about a lift, he said Tampu coming in a little while so I could wait there.

48.00 Tampu came. I recognised one boy and he recognised me, he picked up my suitcase. The same day that I arrived in India, Guru Gobind Singh ji Shashten reached India and there was a big march in Ludhiana. The boy asked me where i was going because in the village each side has a different name then you can reach your side easily. When I reach my village I asked an old lady if my 'Baba' is alright, but she did not recognise me when i told her my name she called him loudly and the daughter in law came. Many people got together and at night Gurdave Singh came and aksed me how did i find the house. I said it was easy same road. Next day i went to Jandiala and met my mother. She said my daughter keep away fly from my face. The day after she died. I stayed in India for five months then returned to England. Then my son got married then they other one. When i was in India people thought i had to come to see the girl 7 parents asked me to the house but i said no we are not like that. In 1970 me & my husband went to India then we went to both in laws house. My daughter in laws grandfather called me and i was scared. All the family live here together in this house, except her older son who is in Canada. They told her to go there but her Canada visa has finished. When i make a new passport then i'll get a visa. When you are near your family you are happy, when your parents are in India then you want to visit them. I ma happy here because my children listen to me. Canada sone said stay with us. I love my grandchildren, they love me and learn 'Punjabi well'.

57.30 My little grandaughter loves the Gudwara. One day she was with her grandfather and they passed by it and she said can we go in. Asked about whjat she thinks of the Gurdwara. We can get more space i always say everyone do a good job. When we do not do anything we get shame after. In the old times we did not have enough money, these days Gurdwara has lots of money and when they go to people's houses for money they make fools of themselves.

59.20 Asked about when she kept Guru Grabth Sahib in garage. We grew vegetables in the garden before my husband passed away then stopped everything, now we have grass and decking. Used to knit and sew but stopped because daughter-in-law makes dresses.