In 1981…I came here between 1979 and 1981. I worked really hard during my initial years. I worked at the sewing factory. Because it’s not easy to settle down early on.

One has no choice but to work. Nowadays, my husband is not keeping well. I must look after my husband. He stays home the whole day. My son is a very good boy. He looks after daddy.

Therefore, it’s not much of a problem. If one is not healthy, the situation becomes quite challenging.

Recently, in October, he was admitted to the hospital for three weeks. Then he was admitted again for another three weeks. And then again. That’s because of the operation. He’s got a blockage in the spine. There’s some damage. So, the doctors advised against another operation saying that it could be life threatening, or could induce a stroke, or render him to a vegetative state. That’s why my husband chose not to have another operation.

My granddaughter is three years old. I look after her. Twice a week she’s sent to a child-minder; they’re English people who’re nearby. I look after her for the rest of the three days. When my son is working, I help out. They go to work during the day and my son also helps me out with the baby. She’ll turn three in January.

I’ve been staying in Leeds since the beginning. However, we’ve often shifted residences. Earlier, we used to rent. It was difficult. It takes time to settle and accumulate enough money. My husband has family. He has a brother, my brother-in-law. My family settled in Leicester after coming here.

We come here to the Vandan Group. Often Hansben’s daughter Reeta takes us to the Chapeltown Gurudwara for the Geeta Lota. This is on Thursdays and Fridays. However, I only go if I have time. Otherwise, I skip. Anyway, overall, it is a good opportunity to exercise and enjoy with others and leave our houses. Because after retirement, one has to do something or the other to keep busy.

And it is beneficial to our health as well. Also, we enjoy when we meet others. Earlier, people used to visit the temple a lot to help. People used to help in the kitchen and in all possible ways. But now people rarely visit the temple. So, it’s not much of a use to visit the temple nowadays.

No use visiting anymore. What if someone needs help in the kitchen and people just disappear, what then? Earlier, ladies used to call each other on the phone and people used to arrive to help in no time. Offerings were organised for the goddess deity; many other programmes were organised. However, nowadays people are no longer in the mood to do all that. That’s why it’s no use visiting.

We pray to God in our homes. Also, it’s also important for me to look after my husband.