Reference
X214/12/31
Title
Transcript of interview with Banoo Petit, born 8 June 1937 in Bombay [Mumbai], India.
Date free text
14 May 2009
Production date
From: 1937 To: 2009
Scope and Content
Is one of 7 children, 5 girls and 2 boys.
As a child, lived in a 4 bedroomed house with 3 servants.
Got married at the age of 24. Husband was 21 and still at college. Father was against the mariage as husband was not working. He sent Banoo to Iran to see it she could find a husband, but she did not, so he eventually agreed to the marriage. In Iran stayed with father's brother and his family.
Married in September 1961 and travelled to England by ship in October 1961; it took 21 days. As a wedding present, father paid for first class travel. Father was rich; had 4 restaurants and 4 cafes and owned a building.
When first arrived in England lived in Walsall, near Birmingham. There were 8 people living in the house; 4 working nights and 4 working days, and sharing the beds.
Comments about English food - not knowing anything about it, or how to cook. On the ship on the journey to England did not know how to eat with a knife and forks, as in Indias everyone eats with their hand. Thought oxtail soup would have a tail in it.
Husband got a job with BT which included training, but only stayed in Walsall for 2 weeks.
Wrote to Father about the conditions in England, but he refused to send money. Husband's cousin came and took them to Daventry. The toilet was outside. It was very cold.
Uncle who lived in Luton said he would pick them up. Charged them £2 per week for a room in his house, including food. Father had given Banoo 2 suitcases of ivory, which was not illegal then, which he thought she could use to start a business.
Banoo got a job at Ellis & Goldstein Limited, sewing and ironing. Because her father was rich, she had never worked before. Husband also got a job, and they started saving.
In 1963 managed to buy a 3 bedroomed semi detached house in Bishopscote Road. By this time Banoo had a job in a sewing machine shop, where she stayed till 1967, when she had second child. They then bought a corner shop.
In 1975 moved to Old Bedford Road and chilkdren went to nearby Bushmead School.
Son moved from Icknield High School to Putteridge High School because he was subjest to racist bullying.
By the time children left school Banoo was working for British Gas; started there in 1979. Second son also went to work there. Both were later made redundant.
Comments about racism; not getting promotions etc.
Changes in Luton since arrival in 1960s.
After redundancy, got a part time job as a ward clerk in the coronary care unit ay Luton & Dunstable Hospital; worked there from age 58 to age 70. The hospital is more cosmopolitan and everyone is treated equally. Also works as a volunteer in a hospice.
Banoo is a Zoroastrian. Parys for an hour each day before breakfast. Gives some details about customs, events and meetings in London. Zoroastrianism in Iran. Decline in the religion.
Comments about helpful neighbours.
Comments about clothing and looking good in inexpensive clothes.
Could not afford to visit India for 12 years after coming to England, so missed Father's funeral, siblings weddings etc. It was also expensive to telephone home.
Restrictions on the amount of money or goods that could be brought into the country.
Holidays in Eurpoe, Canada and America.
Difficulties and lonliness since death of husband.
Level of description
item