Diaspora Speaks
Thoughts from Scotland- Dr. David Lingiah
Recently TeluguDiaspora.com sent me an email requesting to pen few lines about my life as a diaspora Telugu-the dispersal and settlement away from my ancestral homeland. I would like to share with you about me with some random memories. I am a Mauritian Telugu, with my ancestors from Vizagpatnam of Andhra Pradesh. I am the eldest child of a family of eight children. My father and mother spoke very little Telugu at home. At the age of 17 I attended the local branch school of the Andhra Maha Sabha in Mauritius every Sunday afternoon for a short spell where I learned the Telugu alphabets and a few prayers in Telugu. I could not keep it for long and wanted to know more about the history and culture of my ancestors through the English medium. I began to read voraciously all and everything I could lay my hands on about India, Andhra Pradesh and the political leaders, writers, poets etc. Round about that time I was studying journalism and I began to contribute articles to the local papers on the activities of the Telugu people; eg, the celebration of Ugadi, Andhra day, lives of Potti Sriramulu, Swami Thyagaraja and his music. On various occasions I acted as editor or sub-editor in the company of my elders like Lachana Seetanah, a famous journalist at Mauritius Times, and Shri Abhimanyu Appadoo or Shri N. Ramiah of the Mauritius Andhra Maaha Sabha for the Souvenir magazines issued by the Telugu cultural circles. In such company I acquired my interest and love for the Telugu heritage. Finally I got involved in politics to represent the Telugu community within the then opposition party (PMSD) at the age of twenty-four. There were other Telugu candidates too representing the Telugu interests within Labour party led by Dr S. Ramgoolam. Such was my zeal and love for my people and cultural heritage.
Following the electoral defeat, at the age of twenty-five I left Mauritius in March 1968 just after the Independence of the island. I left for Scotland for higher studies. My plane took me to Bombay on the way to London. That's the only time I touched the soil of mother India. Although Bhaskar (TeluguDiaspora.com) has invited me, I have so far not managed to visit Andhra Pradesh; someday I will be there; who knows.
About eight years ago my wife died in a tragic road accident, leaving me with two young sons; I took care of them, leaving my work. Today one son, Gavin, is about to graduate with a Ph.D. in genetics from Cambridge University; the younger one, Jason is studying Theology at Edinburgh University. And, nearly two years ago I went back to Mauritius to search of a new life partner from the Telugu community and got remarried. Nalini is now settling in this country and I am able to start back my activities as a counselling psychologist/medical psychotherapist, having studied for MA and Ph.D. in this area of work. I have so far published three books here:
Counselling Education for HealthCare Professionals in Mauritius (1999);
The Oppressed Speaks (2000); and
Counselling Needs of Mauritians in the United Kingdom (2004).
I continue writing for Mauritian Abroad, quarterly family magazine published in UK for nearly ten years now, regularly. Still my love for my mother tongue never dies. Here in UK I am a life member of the Mauritian Telugu Association based in London. This November we have celebrated its 15th year anniversary on the occasion of Divali. In Glasgow I belong to the Scottish Telugu Association; these are mostly Telugu-speaking people from Andhras and elsewhere domiciled in Scotland. There is also a Europen Telugu Association in UK of which I am a life member in order to lend my support. Desha Bhasa Landu Telugu Lesha.
Here I would like to mention about Sanjiva as a Telugu radio programme presenter in Mauritius and a staunch devotee of Swami Sathya Sai Baba; a very friendly person, ready to help anyone. He encouraged me in my zeal to learn and know more about Telugu language. Infact he interviewed me on Mauritian Radio on two different occasions when I was in Mauritius. I mentioned to him the ongoing research work on Telugus overseas, and Telugus from various countries are trying their best to promote the language and culture despite hurdles. I was instrumental in getting both Sanjeeva and Bhaskar (TeluguDiaspora.com) work together for a period of 40 days on researching the Mauritian Telugu culture and arrive at a report.
About a year ago my friend, the editor of Mauritian Abroad, Krish Veeramah and his wife (U.K.) along with his nephew and family from Mauritius had decided to visit Andhra Pradesh. I remember asking Bhaskar to take care of Krish and his entourage during their visit. This time I was pleasantly surprised how well Bhaskar, his then fiancée and his parents all got involved to make the stay and visit of Krish & co a pleasant memory. Krish and family became guest of honour at Bhaskar's engagement.
Through my contact with TeluguDiaspora.com I have come to know more my ancestors' mother-land. My interest in the language and literature of my people has increased; I have even started to study the language using cd, books, tapes, and with the constant engagement with the telugusdiaspora website and telugusabroad yahoo group. I have come to know and correspond with many Telugu persons from India, America, Malaysia and elsewhere.
