1979 -
Southall, London, UK
Gurtej Singh Kahlon, 34 years of age has just completed his shift at the Woolfe
Rubber Factory. He will slowly walk back home. He will ignore the "gora kid"
walking with his mother, pointing at him - the funny "brown" man in the turban.
He will cross the street when the group of "white" disgruntled, unemployed
factory workers will try and provoke him into a confrontation. He will enter his
warm cozy home and sing "happy birthday" to his six year old son Gattu. He will
shield his family when the shards of shattering glass will threaten to injure
them. He will chase the "gora hoodlums" who threw the rock shattering glass
window. He will break open his "gora skull" with his bare hands. He will protect
his family. From now on, he will protect his family.
1994 -
Southhall, London, UK
Pargat Singh Kahlon (Gattu) age 17 years
old has just given his father Gurtej Singh Kahlon an official letter. He will
watch his father read every word. He will watch his father''s eyes brimming with
rage. He will hear his father reminding him of the struggle against the
"gora"''s. He will see his father tear his dreams into pieces as the office al
letter is thrown on his face.
2010 - Southhall, London,
UK
Parghat Singh Kahlon (Gattu), age 34 years has just woken up
like he has every morning for the last 17 years. He will walk across Southall.
He will open the corner store across the tube station. He will tend to his
customers. He will hear the neighbourhood boys playing cricket in the back
alley. He will remember a dream that could have become a reality. He will tend
to his customers.
He will watch his father ruling a house, a family, a
community like he has for the last 25 years. He will silently tolerate the snide
remarks and insults passed by a younger generation. He will pour his heart out
to his neighbours adopted brother. He will understand the bitterness of his
siblings. He will identify with their shattered dreams. He will participate to
begin a change. He will finally summon the courage to challenge his father and
start a movement that will shake the very foundations of It.