Comments on: Javed Iqbal, TV Repair Man

By: Khalid Malik

Khalid Malik — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:56:36 +0000

This was a pleasure to read, very thankful to Mr. Iqbal for sharing such a short fraction of his life story, I really hoped this article had gone on for a bit longer!

Mr Iqbal’s story reminds me of my grandad and my dad… the things they had gone through when they first came to this country – it wasn’t easy. They too faced racism and all types of hardship, my grandad working 15+ long hours a day in steel factories to my dad working as a tailor in a clothes factory.

We have it so easy now don’t we? I sometimes wish i born in Mr Iqbal’s generation and not now… I don’t know what i’m going to tell my kids… ‘dad sat on the computer most of his time?’

Mr. Iqbal seems like a very humble man in very humble surroundings, he should be very proud of himself for all he has achieved! Well done to him!

The following video might be of interest to everybody, it is something my dad and my uncles went through in the 80’s when they were teenagers: http://youtu.be/JPeKfINf_FA

My hat goes off to Mr. Iqbal, might pop round the next time i’m in Brick Lane.

By: Shamim Miah

Shamim Miah — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:15:20 +0000

My father used to buy all our second hand TVs from Mr Javed’s shop and get him to come and fix them in our house. My Dad lived near brick lane in 60s and knew Javed and later of his shop. In those days new TVs were very expensive so people used to buy second hand TVs.

I’m surprised that he still has the shop in the same location for all these years. I too have visited his shop several years ago and remember him coming down to our house to fix our TV, which he supplied, as a teenager. Brings back old memories.

By: Ambareen Jafri

Ambareen Jafri — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:07:51 +0000

This story brought tears to my eyes. Where would we be without the sacrifices of our parents and such people? What I found most inspiring was Mr. Iqbal’s sense of positivity. Instead of complaining and whining about his struggles, he persevered, remained steadfast, and is thankful for what he has achieved. We can all learn much from such a person.

God Bless!

By: jas

jas — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:55:26 +0000

A heart warming story with such courage and diversity, I think we should all take a leaf out of Mr Iqbal’s book and stand up for ourselves, yet stand united!

Wow. Very inspiring, I didn’t know that Mr Iqbal had such an amazing story to tell.

Love to all the Iqbal’s

from Jas x

By: Karim

Karim — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:24:42 +0000

Hello there,

A very interesting read. I have know uncle for a while now as he is the father of my friend, Azim. I have to say, uncle and his brother are two of the nicest people you can ever meet – less can be said about his one and only son. haha.

His sense of humour always cracks me up.

See you soon Uncle.

Karim

By: MARIA

MARIA — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:55:26 +0000

uzma, you certainly are lucky

By: Uzma Iqbal

Uzma Iqbal — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:58:30 +0000

Dear Gentle Author,

I’m one of Javed Iqbal’s 7 children (6 daughters and 1 son) and we just wanted to say thank you so much for writing such a wonderful article, you really captured our father’s delectable spirit and his humbling story.

His resilience (and fantastic good humour) despite adversity is awe-inspiring… he truly is an amazing person and we’re really proud to have him as our dad.

Thank so much for taking the time to share this with others,
Uzma Iqbal

By: Jarnail Singh Sokhal

Jarnail Singh Sokhal — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:10:05 +0000

Hello Javed! it is me Jarnail, how are you doing?.
I am very happy about this story!
It has been a long time since we have talked and I hope to talk again.
Good to see you mate,
Jarnail Singh Sokhal.

By: Alan Gilbey

Alan Gilbey — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:12:34 +0000

I know that as a Gentle Author you generally like to see the good in things and stress the positive but thank you so much for posting this too. It is so easy to forget, or perhaps not even be aware, just how hard life could be for immigrant peoples in the East End of the sixties and seventies, yet here in the stoic taking of knocks and blows and set-backs by a brave man that all comes to life.

Eventually, in the face of a police force which at the time refused to even recognise there were racial attacks, people like Javed Iqbal began to stand up and be counted, against the National Front, the muder of Altab Ali and (touchingly in this case) Blair Peach,a local teacher killed demonstrating in solidarity.

In todays Brick Lane of brands and curry touts it’s easy to forget how mean these streets could be, but that all comes to life here. Javed Iqbal makes me want to buy an old telly and break it, just so I can have him fix it!

By: maria

maria — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:47:29 +0000

incredible story – my favorite quote: “I believe no country gives you anything, it’s what you can give and make that counts.”