Hussein Jusab Lalani

Children

Chapter Eight. Social History of My Father, Hussein J. Lalani
Hussein (sometimes spelled Hussain) Jusab Lalani was born (February 12th, 1908 in Veraval, India) into a very exceptional and enterprising family. He was a middle child, with an older brother (Rahematali Lalani) and a younger sister (Jenabai Lalani). In his formative years, he watched his father accomplish some very unique and exceptional achievements. His father (Jusab Lalani) was an avid traveler, always exploring and creating opportunities for his family in countries such as Java, Sumatra, Singapore, Penang and the southeast coast of Africa. Sometimes, he would be gone for long periods of time (three years), however, upon his return he would always have very interesting stories to relay to his children about his exotic travels.
During one of his travels, he recognized an opportunity to go to East Africa in the early 1900s. This was the time when the British were planning to build the Railway to open up the rest of Africa. In 1908, Hussein’s father arrived in Kenya accompanied by his brother (Shariff Lalani) and his older son (Rahematali Lalani). They soon established a very successful store in the heartland of Kenya. Although Hussein remained behind in India to finish his schooling, he was exposed to this part of the world at a very young age.
Hussein later arrived on the coast of East Africa (Dar es Salaam) in 1929 to join his older brother. By this time, his father had decided to sell all his holdings in Africa and return back to India. It was left to his young sons to continue remaining in Africa and create their own opportunities. By now, Hussein had qualified as an accountant and was soon able to secure a position as an Assistant Bookkeeper at the African Mercantile Company. However during the Great Depression in 1931, the company started to lay people off and Hussein lost his job. As he was never one to sit back and have regrets, he soon found another position with the Department of Public Works and was transferred to a small town in Tanganyika called Iringa.
The Iringa branch covered all of the areas around Iringa and Dodoma. There was only one catch; Hussein’s posting was in an extremely remote part of the country. Hussein often relays about how once working on site and returning home in an open truck without doors, they were chased by a pride of lions. Not carrying any firearms for protection, their only form of defence was to kick their way out of this situation. Companies in those days did not pay extra money for danger pay. Hussein was thankful for just having a job!
During the many years that followed, Hussein with his meticulous attention to detail and his extraordinary gift with numbers, attracted higher positions in some well-known companies that were opening up in Africa. The various owners of these companies never failed to recognize Hussein’s very high level of integrity and extreme dedication to his position within the company. One such example of this is when, at the start of the Second World War, Hussein worked for a German firm called Hansing & Co. At the time, they were the sole importers of Bayer Pharmaceutical Products and also imported Continental Tires. These items would have been extremely sought-after commodities during the War. However, because Hansing & Co. was a German firm in a British colony, all its directors and managers were immediately rounded up and detained by the authorities. Hussein was handed the keys to the business by the General Manager and instructed to do the best he could. Many people encouraged Hussein to seize the opportunity and cash in on the situation. Instead of seeking such fortune, Hussein made sure that all the other employees were paid their salary for six months and then secured the premises and went and handed the keys to the authorities. This level of integrity and his deep spiritual values has always been instilled in his children and grandchildren. Hussein is a devout Ismaili Muslim and his long held Sufi beliefs and traditions have been passed down from many generations. His children and grandchildren may well remember the many stories he relates about his deep and profound spiritual experiences.
Hussein’s many years serving as a non-paid volunteer on various committees and organizations has demonstrated his untiring commitment in serving the community. It is well known even to this day, how his reputation of having great wisdom with trust and honor has attracted the many less privileged and the widows in the community in lining up to seek his advice and counsel on matters facing them.
From 1939–1967, Hussein worked for two very large and extremely well-known businesses in Nairobi, Kenya including the British firm, Bullows & Roy Ltd. –a large department store in Nairobi on Harding Street (now called Kimathi Street across from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company), as an Accountant. After 10 years of service, he was granted six months paid overseas leave and went to India to visit the family. Upon returning from India, Hussein was offered a job with a British company called Erskine & Duncan as a Chief Accountant and Company Secretary. He served at this company for 21 years and retired in 1967. He was given a good package by the company President, Sir Derek Erskine, for his excellent service.
Even after his retirement, he continued to work on a part-time basis until 1975 in various positions including as an Accounts Supervisor for the Japanese firm, Sanyo. Since the early 1970s, his family started to emigrate to various parts of the world including Canada and the United Kingdom. In 1975, Hussein and his wife eventually emigrated to Canada and decided to make Richmond, British Columbia their new home.
Hussein got married to Daulatkhanu (daughter of Amershi and Rehmatbai Kurji) in 1937 during the time of the Golden Jubilee of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III. With all his struggles and accomplishments in Kenya, he was able to raise a family of five children. His eldest son (Sadrudin Lalani) now resides in Calgary, Alberta. One of his daughters (Zainab Manji) lives in Ladner, British Columbia and the two other daughters, (Naseem Lalani and Yasmin Shah) live in California and London, England. His youngest son (Azim Lalani) lives in Richmond, British Columbia.
He is extremely proud of all his seven grandchildren who have now grown to creating their own successful careers and lives. It is his constant encouragement to seek excellence, with dignity and honor, that is now evident in the lives of his grandchildren.