Catalogue

Interview
978, LO/333/284
Leicester Oral History Archive Collection

Speaker: Tripathi, Upendra, 1932 - , Interviewee, Male, Bus driver; Postman; Factory worker;
Speaker: McGrath, J., Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Recalls childhood and family in India and Pakistan around the time of Partition including father losing business. Mentions working in a factory and father being a very religious Brahmin. Talks about the caste system, current changes to the system, his own feelings about the caste system and how he relates this to his own children. Recalls work in Bombay, move to Monza, Tanganiyeka as a railway clerk and return to India. Mentions reasons for coming to England and ease of entry. Describes arriving in Ashton under Lyme, Manchester and difficulties encountered at work, including being passed over for weavers job. Mentions trade unions, make up of local Indian community and brother in law experiencing discrimination at Leicester City Transport. Relates experience as first non-white bus driver in Preston and problems with co-workers and how these were resolved. Describes moving to Leicester, high cost of housing and problems that customs created at work. Mentions temple in Guthlaxton Street and helping with it. Compares working on buses in Preston and Leicester and higher standard of living in Britain than India. Lists work in Leicester, buses, Postman, printer taxi driver and shop owner. Recalls visit to India and desire to return one day to Himalayas. Mentions joining the Territorial Army.
Place of birth: Karachi, Pakistan
Education:
Marital Status: Married, Children:
Father's Occupation: Teacher
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire, Lancashire
Location: Town/Place: Leicester, Preston
Periods Covered: 1930s,1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
Language: English

Recording Date: 16/12/1986
Playing time: 1 hr
Access Restrictions: Restricted Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

Page Automatically Generated

Use the browser's back button to return to the previous screen.

Home>>Catalogue>>Search


Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.