If I have seen
farther than others,
it is because I was
standing on the
shoulders of giants.

-Sir Isaac Newton

  

Kahani - (ka·ha·ni) noun
1. a story 2. a tale shared among families 3. a connection to the past; simultaneously, a window to the future.
 
 

Kahani aims to ignite a connection between young British Indians and their history through the sharing of family stories. Our parents' and grandparents' experiences, locked away in their memories, may be stories of laughter and of happiness; yet they may also hold some pain and sorrow. They are stories that we must record. Each tale is a testament to our community's strength and provides inspiration for our lives today.

Note from the Editors 		 


Reva Sharma
I pride myself on my ability to steer away from clichés, but just this once, I'll turn a blind eye to one - 'the best stories you will ever hear are the real ones' - because it is true. Fact: My Nanaji was one of the only survivors on a train that was ambushed by angry rioters as it travelled from Lahore to Jallandhar in 1947, just days before partition. Fact: My Dadiji was married aged 14 to a man she barely knew; she gave birth to, and raised 11 children, some of whom she outlived. Fact: My Naniji was one of the only Indian women to receive home tutoring from a British nanny. I can carry on listing fascinating facts like these about my grandparents for hours; you just tell me - how long have you got? (Read more)

 

Meera Manek
In today's world, where media is teaching adults and children alike the worthiness of parents and grandparents, this anthology of stories provides evidence of respect and affection that is very much alive in the Indian youth of this country. Not only are these stories a record of history, a snapshot of life in another world, which might even seem like another era and a tribute to the resilience and dedication of grandparents, but they also confirm that the pulse of the British Indian youth is very much connected to their past and their culture. (Read More)

 

We seek stories from British Indians of all ages. They should be no more than 1000 words and will be published on our website for you, for your family, and for the world to read.