It's a small world - Mohammed Yusuf Atcha

Mohammed Yusuf Atcha, affectionately known as 'butchu sani' was walking out of the post office in the middle of Bolton town centre in 1974. As he was leaving an elderly English gentleman was walking into the post office. Mr. Atcha held the door open for the English Gentlemen to which he responded with a thanks and then in Hindi said,

"Aap kaha se ayeh, India or Pakistan" (Where do you come from India or Pakistan)

Mr. Atcha was slightly astounded as here was an English person talking in Hindi.

Mr. Atcha replied "Meh India se ayeh" (I am from India)

The elderly gentleman then said "Aur India se kaha se ayeh" (Where abouts in India are you from)

Mr. Atcha assumed that the gentleman would not know specific villages and cities and so replied "Meh Bombay se ayeh" (I am from Bombay)

... Mr. Atcha was slightly astounded as here was an English person talking in Hindi. ...

The gentleman then probed further and asked Mr. Atcha "Aur Bombay se kaha se ayeh" (Where abouts in Bombay are you from)

Mr. Atcha replied "Meh Gujarat se ayeh" (I am from Gujarat)

The man then asked "Aur Gujarat se kaha se ayeh" (Where abouts in Gujarat are you from)

Mr. Atcha replied "Meh Surat se ayeh" (I am from Surat)

The man then asked "Aur Surat se kaha se ayeh" (Where abouts in Surat are you from)

Mr. Atcha was shocked as here he was in the middle of Bolton town centre having a conversation in Hindi with an English gentleman.

Mr. Atcha said "Meh Barbodhan se ayeh" (I am from Barbodhan). Mr. Atcha then started explaining where the village of Barbodhan was in geographical terms to Surat. "It is some nine kilometers west of Surat " . Mr. Atcha was stopped in his tracks by the gentleman who said "Meh jhar ta hoo" (I know it well)

As they got to know each other, the gentleman said that his name was Mr. Jackson and that he lived near the Bolton central fire station. Mr. Jackson went on to say that he was based as a soldier or civil servant in India and Burma. He frequented the village of Barbodhan as there was massive lake there where they used to go swimming, diving, fishing, shooting to name a few of the leisurely activities.

Mr. Jackson said that he had many photographs of this part of India but unfortunately Mr. Atcha never met this gentleman again as they failed to exchange personal details.

To conclude what a small world we live in.