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 Reaching Forty, he longed to roam Back to India and his ancestral home. Of England - south of the Pennine Hills So, being himself an adventurous man And a city famed for its cotton mills. He built, with his brothers, a caravan. And drove his family from the port of Dover Manchester was his new home's name Through Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan and over But nothing about it was the same The Wagah border into India at last As the culture and people he'd left behind, Where for nine months they travelled, exploring their past.

Yet continued to cherish in his heart and mind. Visiting palaces, shrines and historic places Although only nine, he worked, door to door And discovering India's many faces. Selling pure silk stockings, ties and more Then, back to England, with a reviving stay Alongside his father - following family tradition, Whilst dreaming all day of a higher ambition In romantic Venice along the way. To seek a profession that would in effect, Hidden within this painting too Earn him a position of social respect, That challenged the Englishman's stereotype view Are details relating to just a few Of the stories which we, the artists concur Of all Indians as "coolies"- except for a few.

Speak volumes about the character Of someone who, for us, reflects As a young man he looked for a skilled career The qualities and values we respect. And worked for a while as an engineer. A man of science but also of Art Through comics and books he learned to read A mighty lion with a gentle heart And write the language he knew he would need A man of compassion who's not thought twice To become an educated man And pursue his extraordinary plan About making personal sacrifice For the sake of family, which he holds dear. To study for a medical degree - Principled, determined, fair and sincere.

A first, in his own community And unheard of then, in a time and place This someone - we feel blessed to say, Where class division, colour and race Is our father, who in every way Kept you where you were born to be Has been a pillar to us all, And dictated your position in society. Inspired our lives and helped us stand tall As daughters, who he's enabled to see Defying the sceptics and against all odds That being proud of your heritage and identity He succeeded by taking on multiple jobs And striving to be the best you can be, To support his family and pay his fees Through London and Liverpool Universities.

Brings fulfilment, dignity and security - Not only to oneself and one's family Times were hard and it was not with ease But, to the rest of your community. That he graduated (in fact with several Degrees) As a Bachelor of Medicine and of Surgery And that whatever obstacles are put in your way With belief and hard work, you can win the day. With Honours in Science and a PhD. Yet still, his achievements did not wane.

After becoming a Doctor he bought a plane Whilst offering this tribute to our father dear, two things stand out, undeniably clear: Gained a pilots licence, and then, To 'All That [he] Is', there is so much more than this painting alone, can fully explore, A Certificate in Aviation Medicine. And in the life of this precious man, lies the story of all that we've been, and I am.