“Well, did you get mine?” he asked.
Answering a question with another question is an art some people can practise perfectly without blinking an eye-lid.
“Oh, I haven’t checked my emails yet,” I grinned sheepishly.
“Check-mate then,” he laughed.
For a person who played a pivotal role in obtaining a £1.77 million grant from the Millennium Commission for the Gujarat Hindu Society’s Preston temple project, Ishubhai Tailor is a surprisingly down-to-earth individual.
His team also raised another £1.8 million for the project, mainly from private supporters including prominent businessman Manubhai Madhvani, the philanthropic Hinduja brothers, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar Editor C B Patel and English Partnerships.
“I feel pleased with the MBE for two reasons,” he explained. “First, the work going on in the community has been finally recognised. Second, the sacrifices my family have made have finally borne fruit.”
Ishubhai’s typical day consists of eight hours at work, four hours at the temple and only two hours with his family. “I am grateful for the support received from my family, specially my wife who put up with my unsocial hours,” he added.
Ishubhai has other hats to wear as well. He is the Vice Chair of the Preston Racial Equality Council, the Secretary of the Preston Mela, and also a local magistrate.
“The Gujarat Hindu Society acquired its first building in 1974,” he explained.
In 1997, the Society received the Millennium Commission grant, and moved into its newly completed modern building in 1999.
“We have two strands of activities,” continued Ishubhai. “The temple-based activities that include festivals and religious services, and the community-based activities that include Learn Direct, a partnership with Preston College to provide free computer classes to members of the community, a youth club and sports activities like badminton, table tennis, yoga, aerobics and Indian games. We also have an OCR registered school to teach Gujarati at the GCSE level examinations.”
“And, ah.. do you have any role models in your life?” I enquired.
I rather hoped he wouldn’t come out with the usual Nobel-prize winning answer – Gandhi, Sardar Patel, or the even more boring, ‘my-father-is-the-biggest-inspiration-in-my-life’ howler.
“Role model?” puzzled Ishubhai. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean – is there someone who inspired you in your life?”
“Oh, of course,” he replied, seeing some light at the end of the tunnel after all. “Several people have continued to inspire me: Shri Ram Bhakt from India, a very learned scholar who was the main inspirer for the temple; Chhotubhai Pattni from London; and C B Patel, Editor of Gujarat Samachar, who has provided inspiration, support and advise over the last 30 yrs. They are our leading lights.”
I smiled. He had avoided mentioning the usual suspects. Full marks to you, Ishubhai.