Dear LPG,

I just want to take the time to remind readers that we are a very cosmopolitan country these days, although I remember a time when if a foreigner moved into your street, or started working alongside you, it was a reason to bring out the curious traits that we all have. 

As an older person who retired from working decades ago now, many of the people I once worked with are all gone or forgotten, in as much as we have lost touch over the years.  There was a thin young man that came over from India and joined the workforce during my second year of working in a factory.  I remember that his arrival got all the other workers speculating, but I was given the job of showing him the ‘ropes’ so to speak, and because of that I spent quite a while talking to him and learning a little about his life and culture. 

He, like most immigrants I knew at the time, always assured me that he was only planning to stay in the UK  for a couple of years, and though we remained good friends for about four more  years than he had planned, we eventually lost touch when he left his job.

I always remember him at this time of year though, because he would get all excited about a festival called Ram Navami.  He was a Hindu and spent a little time fasting and spring cleaning before the big day.  He would tell me that if he were at home in India there would be the saying of special prayers, telling of the story of Lord Rama and making merry in thanks for the birth of one of their most important Gods. 

But when we get to this time of year I just like to celebrate my friendship with a man who I remember from way back, whose whereabouts I have no idea of now, but who it was a pleasure to know.

CY, Lewisham. 

LPG has found a little information about this holiday, which falls on April 25^thtoday, this year

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