The story of an Indian migrant, his legacy, and the love and longing for his roots.
Born into a family that had recently fled British India during the partition of India and Pakistan, Ram’s early life in Mombasa seemed charmed with wealth and success. However, losing all of this overnight through a second deportation this time from Kenya to the UK, he saw the course of his life change beyond recognition.
Despite having had his dreams and plans ripped away from him, Ram worked tirelessly, fighting to overcome every obstacle, and finally succeeded in gaining back wealth and reputation. However, on reaching his late thirties, an unusual day trip in Mumbai changed his life forever, transforming him from someone enriching himself and his shareholders to someone enriching the world. And this time, the change was his choice.
Aiming to encourage those who are struggling to move forward in life, Ram shares stories that demonstrate the difference made by a can–do attitude, by a spirit of generosity and by prioritizing relationships. Through all these, he shares the secrets of living a life that marries deep compassion with success, a generous life that reaps unexpected rewards.
Why MY SILK ROAD?
‘The idea for this book sparked on my 70th birthday celebration. It was December 2020 and at the height of the lockdown due to COVID19. Astounded on seeing a video full of wishes from relatives whom my family had never known or met, I decided drew up a family tree that extends beyond my grandfather’s lineage, how the family overcame the challenges of being twice migrants and what it has taken to rebuild our lives, to achieve our former level of prosperity. With each name, memories and stories came flooding back. The outcome of this exercise is my memoir ‘The Silk Route’’. — Ram Gidoomal CBE
RAM GIDOOMAL was born into an Indian immigrant family of silk traders in Kenya and enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Mombasa. As he turned 17, his family endured devastating second deportation, to London. Starting from scratch, Ram built a successful career in business and was firmly on the road to prosperity and fortune, when a life changing journey led him to instead dedicate his business skills and profits to those who need them most.
His contributions to the community were recognised by HM The Queen in 1998, who appointed him CBE.
An experienced businessman and entrepreneur, Ram has worked for over 30 years at board and senior management level in the private, public, and voluntary sectors. Till the Spring of 2022, he was Chair of Allia Ltd. His current roles are all nonexecutive: he is an Advisory Board Member of BAOSystems; a Board Member and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee, and Chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; and Chair of Cotton Connect.
The most recent of the numerous recognitions for his many books and other contributions, including Honorary Doctorates from three UK universities, has been his inclusion in High Flyers 50 – the 50 most eminent people of Indian origin living and working outside India.
MY SILK ROAD
The Adventures and Struggles of a British Asian Refugee
RAM GIDOOMAL
26 August 2022 ٠ Memoir ٠ INR 799 ٠ Hardback ٠ 320pp+8pp plates
Published by Pippa Rann Books and Media, U.K, Distributed by Penguin Random House India
