Jagan Nath
Jagan was just 16, when he came to the UK in 1960. He’d passed his matriculation (O’Level equivalent) and his dad, who was already in the UK, sent for him. Jagan recalled his Mum crying when he left and everyone coming to the train station to see him off. It was a long plane journey alone and a very long way from his hometown of Garhi Mahan Singh, near Apra in India’s Punjab. Jagan was really hoping to get an apprenticeship but when this did not work out, determined as ever, he went to evening school to study English and Science, while working in a Plastics extrusion company in Harpenden. Jagan recalled that pay and conditions there were good but the three shift system was hard going, even for a young person. Jagan said “we sacrifice a lot when we leave our country.”
Jagan enrolled on an engineering course to improve his career prospects and found work at Luton’s Kent Meters. A year later, he started a skilled role as a machine setter at AC Delco Dunstable and stayed there for over 35 years. When AC Delco closed in 2002, Jagan went to work for Bernard Matthews, but by this time, Jagan was experiencing health problems with his knees and while the company would have welcomed him working part time, Jagan retired. Retirement meant that Jagan was able to spend more time serving, as a Committee Member, at the Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Gurudwara, where Jagan has held key roles over the years as President, General Secretary, Trustee and now as Head Trustee.
The Shri Guru Ravidass Sangat Gurudwara began as a dream for the Luton Sikh community, who were worshipping at Beech Hill School and dearly wanted their own premises. Through community donations and fundraising, the beautiful Gurudwara in Cardigan Street was purchased. A former Methodist Chapel that needed renovation. Jagan as well as many of the elders were key to the success of this venture. Over the years, Jagan said that the community has become “more flexible, and adaptable in their thinking, meeting, socialising and integrating with other communities.”
Jagan recalled socialising in Luton, at Kents Club and the Bobbers Club, which are no longer with us. “Pubs have changed. In the early days there was no lager then, just ales and bitter,’ said Jagan. Social clubs like the Kent and the Bobbers Club were great meeting places and helped to integrate communities, with entertainment, family events and always enjoy a cheap pint.
Providing for his family has been central to Jagan’s life. Over the years, the family have moved many times in Luton. Each move has been to create more space and a better environment. Jagan also has a lovely house back in India, but he has no plans to move back. “Our children and grandchildren are here,” he said. “They don’t want that life and we can’t do without them.”
Jagan does go back to India annually, but also loves going on holiday. To date, he has been to America, Dubai, Sri Lanka and all across Europe. And everywhere he and his wife, Kamla Devi have been she says “shall we buy a house here?” Jagan has loved seeing all of these very different places but always returns to home in Luton.
Jagan thanks God that he is here, in the UK for many reasons, most recently he has been benefitted immensely from the support the NHS has provided him.