Second Generation Mauritians in Britain

By Kishore Teelanah

This is a continuation of success stories of children born of Mauritian parents in the UK. These children really make their parents proud by being successful both academically and in their personal development and culture. The first generation Mauritians have passed on their positive influence which they inherited from their parents and families in Mauritius. This is a story of two young men which will make any family proud and happy to be associated with them.

Reemulsing (Reemul) Balla

Reemul is a 26-year old Londoner who is an aspiring freelance journalist. He is a friendly and humble Anglo-Mauritian. After gaining a clutch of 4 A-Levels from a Grammar school, he completed a BA degree in History and French at Durham university. Reemul’s ambition pushed him to do an MA in Film Studies which led him to pursue his ambition further. Currently Reemul is completing a fast-track journalism course. He is one of the few Mauritians who can speak fluent Creole and French as well as being proud of following his parents’ footsteps in their Hindu culture.

Reemul worked as a Research Associate at Guidepoint Global London where he was responsible for recruitment of jobs for CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, MDs and doctors given his bilingual expertise. Reemul has made a debut in his first article for a broadsheet paper, The Guardian (Australia)

His experience took him to India as part of UNESCO New Delhi as an Intern in Documentation and Public Information. He had responsibility for preparing press releases, articles and social media campaigns for UNESCO Events and workshops. Reemul was involved in workshops such as World Book Fair 2018, Global Education Monitoring Report and International Tolerance Day.

Reemul was also a Volunteer Writer for Givethemsport.com and Threeandin.com in 2016-17 and wrote about football and match reports for both websites. Soon afterwards, he took up the responsibility of Advertising and Digital Solutions intern. He participated and reported in B2B strategy meetings concerning revamping well-known FMGC websites.

Reemulsing Balla: Graduation

Reemul’s bilingual skill landed him the job of a Language Assistant at Lycee Sud des Landes, Aquitaine in France where he taught English and French at a secondary school. He was also involved in debates, media analysis and vocabulary for BAC examinations. He had position of responsibility and creative work as Radio Host (Rare FM & Purple Radio Durham) when he was an undergraduate in Durham. He was the founder and President of the Durham University French Speaker’s Society. He also extended his experience to founding and running the Durham Indian Society. He became a writer for Durham Palatinate and Collingwood Woodward in culture, film and sport. He has continued to-date to be Blog writer on Medium App.

Reemulsing is full of life and has other interests too. He still writes on travel and culture blogs, script writing and comedy sketches. His recent success started with the Guardian Australia with a story about Millie Chandarana’s success in her football ambition.Reemul also wrote a report in Brent Gazette about the Iraqi Welfare Association delivering food to vulnerable people in Brent, London during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Yash (Bansi) Sohodeb

Yash Sohodeb is a 30-year old talented musician, super producer, song writer, DJ and artist. After he completed his GCE A- Level in Media and Arts, he pursued his degree in Music and Arts from Middlesex University in 2011. Since then, Yash has produced a sonically advanced pallet spanning multiple genres such as Hip Hop, R&B, Pop and Electronic music. His limitless ability to produce within specific genres of those musical categories combination with provision of unique Stikmatic sound makes his talents stand out and be in demand.

In 2018, Yash signed for a publishing deal with Stellar Songs/Sony under the expert eyes of Tim & Danny who are well-known for breaking Sam Smith, Emile Sande, Charlie XCX and Naughty Boy. Yash is also part of a trio act called ‘Mad Teeth’ alongside Jessica Agombar and David Stewart and had recently signed a worldwide deal with RSA/Sony Music. His deal was endorsed by David Dollymore who said ‘this will be the next biggest thing to happen in dance music globally’.

Currently, Yash is working on his debut solo album which is best described as electric infusion of Grime, Garage and dance of Indo-Mauritian culture of the 1990s upbringing in London. He is also expecting to have future releases next year with Mad Teeth, Gashi, Banx, Ranx, TKayMaidza, Rocky NTI, Avelino, Lauv, Bas and Travis Scott.

Furthermore, Yash has toured the UAE, USA and Europe. He has also played at many large festivals including: Tomorrowland, Gibraltar Monkeys Rocks, Paris Fashion Week and Abu Dabi F1. Yash has also founded his own independent record label: SAME PEOPLES. He has been working as an advocate for MIND Mental Health Charity, bringing awareness of mental health in the music and the entertainment business. He is also a keen fundraiser for United Friends and Families and campaigns for the plight of and injustice to Blacks and Asians including police brutality.

Stig Abel, the editor and publisher of the Times Literary Supplement, former LBC presenter and BBC reporter and an avid writer, said: “Immigrant families tend to have a comprehensive narrative arc from poverty to success, a story of hard work and striving against all odds. Education is seen as a life-changing and story-changing”. I am a witness to this ever since I have been in the UK (1974) and this will continue for a long time to come. Among the immigrants, Mauritian families have made sure that their offspring do even better in education and science, with higher than average literacy.

Kishore Teelanah has been in the UK for over 45 years and currently works in the Education Sector as Industry Placement Coordinator. He also promotes STEM subjects across schools, colleges and in higher education settings and is a mentor to final year Bioscience degree students at Kingston University

* Published in print edition on 15 September 2020