BRIJLAL KAROO FAMILY HISTORY OF MAHARAJ ROAD
ELDEST SON – PREMCHUND BRIJLAL – BECOMES AN OTTAWA ICON AFTER CLIMBING THE TOP OF THE ACADEMIC WORLD
BY SUBRY GOVENDER
A young man who grew up in a wood and mud home with no facilities of electricity and running tap water in Maharaj Road, Ottawa, in the 1950s and 1960s, achieved first class grades not only in primary and high schools but also went onto climb the top of the ladder in the academic world.
That young man was Premchund Brijlal, the eldest son of Brijlal Karoo and Indrawathie Ramjuthan who moved to the property purchased by their grand-father, Karoo Sahebdin, from Chitoo Jhugroo for 300 pounds (about R600 at that time) in the early 1950s.
(Premchund in a school photo during his early days)
Premchund, who was known to all family members and residents in the community as Prem, rose to become a Professor of Economics, among other top positions, at the former University of Durban-Westville from the late 1970s to 2016.
His other siblings, who also lived in the wood and mud home until their parents built a proper brick and tile home in 1962, were Sushila Devi, Maya Devi, Beena Devi, Gita Devi, Sunitha Devi, Roopchand, and Gyanchand.
I spoke to Professor Prem Brijlal about his family history and his and his family’s academic achievements at his home in Sunningdale in Durban some time before he passed on at the age of 76 on December 25 2020.
In order to update the Brijlal family history, I also interacted with the last born eighth sibling, Gyanchand, who was also known as June. Sadly, June passed away recently on December 17 2023 at the age of 67.
From the information I had obtained from both Professor Brijlal and Gyanchand, it appeared that their parents moved to Ottawa in the early 1950s after staying in Springfield in Durban during their early marriage years.
Their great-grand-parents had come down as indentured labourers from possibly the state of Bihar in North India.
In Ottawa, their parents, Brijlal Karoo and Indrawathie, ensured that all their children went to primary school in Ottawa and high schools in Verulam and Mount Edgecombe.
Mr Brijal Karoo, who worked as a machinist at a leather factory, also took a keen interest in community, social and religious affairs and helped in the building of the new Jhugroo primary school.
PROFESSOR BRIJLAL PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS FATHER AND MOTHER FOR THEIR SACRIFICES
Professor Brijlal told me that he wanted to thank his father and mother for sacrificing their lives in order to ensure that he and his other siblings made progress in their education and in their lives.
Prem Brijlal attended the old Jhugroo school where he completed his standard six with excellent results in 1959.
He then went to the Verulam High School where he obtained his matriculation with distinctions in all the subjects in 1963.
He was encouraged by his parents to enter the teaching world and studied at the former Springfield College of Education where he obtained his teachers diploma in 1965.
Prem Brijlal taught at various schools and during his time in classrooms as a teacher, he studied and completed his BA degree in Economics 2 and 3 with distinctions.
UNIVERSITY OF DURBAN-WESTVILLE
He entered the university academic world when in 1977 he was appointed a Junior Lecturer at the former University of Durban-Westville. This appointment was only a start to his commitment to improving the lot of students and his own tertiary qualifications for the 25 years he had served in various positions at the university.
After he was appointed as a Junior Lecturer, he studied further and in 1990 obtained his Doctorate degree (Dr Phil). This led to him being promoted as Professor of Economics.
During his long stint at the university, he also served in other top positions. These were:
· Dean of the Faculty of Commerce;
· Member of the Senate; and
· Chief Examinations Officer. He served in this capacity for several years. His tasks included the appointment of invigilators and chief invigilators so that no dishonesty took place during examinations.
Outside the university, he served the Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology as Chief Academic Officer and Advisor to the CEO. He also served the Institute’s Senate as Chairperson for several years. His academic acumen also saw him serving the Natal Parks Board for five years after his retirement in 2016.
NATAL CRICKET BOARD
His keen interest outside the academic world was cricket and after South Africa’s re-admission to the international sporting world in April 1994, he served as an Executive Member of the Natal Cricket Board for 13 years.
Prof Prem Brijlal’s achievements in the academic world and his involvement in the environmental and sporting world have definitely influenced the lives of his own siblings, that of his extended family and those of his neighbours and residents of Ottawa.
His two younger brothers, Roopchund and Gyanchund (June), and five sisters had also risen from their tough early backgrounds to establish better lives for themselves. Roopchund today is an insurance consultant based in Verulam and Gyanchund is a tax consultant who moved to Johannesburg early in 2022.
Their surviving sisters - Beena Devi, Gita Devi and Sunitha Devi – are settled in Verulam, Chatsworth and Phoenix respectively with their families.
OTTAWA WAS AN AREA WHERE THE PEOPLE LIVED IN DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR NEIGHBOURS
According to Gyanchund, their young days in Ottawa was something that will be ingrained in their lives till the end.
“The Ottawa we grew up in was a loving community where all the families lived in dignity and respect for their neighbours,” Gyanchund told me.
“I recall the mango orchards where we used to go and help ourselves to the ripe fruits and also the green mangoes for pickles.
“We also used to as young children walk into the sugar cane fields surrounding Ottawa to eat the sugar cane, and pick herbs. Washing our clothes in the Ottawa River also brings back memories that make us proud of our young days.
MANGO PLANTATIONS AND HOME-GROWN VEGETABLES
“We also used to grow our vegetables in our garden. We used to give some to our neighbours and also used to sell the home-grown vegetables.
“We did not have any problems for water for the vegetables and personal use because we had two huge water tanks. We also used to supply our neighbours with water.”
Another feature of living in the Ottawa village was the easy way they used to travel to Verulam and Durban by passenger train.
“Travelling by train was a great pleasure because you always had your fellow residents as company. The train rides were always a pleasure.”
One of the jewels of Ottawa in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, according to the Brijlal family, was the Flash Clothing factory owned and run by Mr S S Maharaj and managed by his brother, Mr Dicky Maharaj. It was a landmark that provided employment for the residents of Ottawa – men and women – and for workers from Verulam and other neighbouring areas.
DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO S S MAHARAJ
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr S S Maharaj for he not only provided jobs for the residents but he also led the building of the new Jhugroo school and his initiative for providing free funeral service to the people.”
Some of the workers from Flash Clothing, according to Gyanchund, also helped to draft and sing the song, Ottawa Ke Hal. The famous song, sung by Madan Maharaj, was created after a serious motor accident on the road just outside the Ottawa River bridge. A number of people travelling home from a wedding were killed in the crash.
MR LATIFF AND MR HANS
Another landmark for the Brijlals’ in Ottawa in the early days was the Ottawa Trading Centre in Central Ottawa. The shops were owned by Mr Latiff and Mr Hans. According to Gayanchund, Mr Latiff was a generous businessman who provided many families grocery items on credit as he took into account their poor financial circumstances.
TEACHERS HAD A MAJOR INFLUENCE IN THEIR LIVES
The Brijlal siblings have a great regard for the teachers who taught at both the old and new Jhugroo primary schools. The teachers dedicated themselves to ensuring that the children of Ottawa obtained the best education not only in the classrooms but also as sportsmen and women during the school sports days. They also influenced them to be humble and respectful in their daily lives outside the school.
Some of the teachers who had a major influence in their lives were Ms K. Baijnath, Mr Dhanraj Sivasanker, Mr C N Juta, Mr Krishna Maharaj (Pundit), and Mr Moon Subrayen.
“Our school days in Ottawa are also something we all remember with fondness.”
One of the saddest moments of the Brijlal family about their Ottawa was when Gayanchund, the youngest sibling who was staying at their home in Maharaj Road, had to move out and sell the property in April 2022.
The house was about 66 years and was well maintained with modern improvements, including a flatlet. The important feature of the house was that it was one of oldest in Ottawa but smart.
The sale of the house was an emotional move and Gayanchund and his surviving brother, Roopchund, and sisters - Beena Devi, Gita Devi and Sunitha Devi – held a re-union with their extended family at the house before it was handed over to the new owners.
“Ottawa is our roots and we can never forget this,” June Gayanchund told me in my communications with him.
The extended Brijlal family now number more than 100 descendants and runs into five generations. Ends – subrygovender@gmail.com Dec 27 2023
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