Nargis Dhanji Bhatia

Nargis Dhanji Bhatia

Town of birth

• Mombasa

Country of birth

• Kenya

Place of longest stay

• Montreal

Profession or occupation carriedout for the longest period in life

• Travel Consultant

Where-City or Country

• Canada

Family tree

Parents

Dhanji Jadavji Bhatia 1896–1982

Zerakhanu Dhanji Bhatia 1919–2017

Siblings

Alaudin Dhanji Bhatia

Gulzar Badrudin Jamal 2020

Jafferali Dhanji Bhatia 1922–2001

Nurally Dhanji Bhatia 1928–1986

Parin Dhanji Bhatia

Roshan Dhanji Bhatia 1924–2008

Rozina Dhanji Bhatia

Yasmin Dhanji Bhatia

Zarina Dhanji Bhatia

Partners

Siegfried Gercke

Children

Janine Lara Gercke

Jasmine Reena Gercke

Born in Mombasa

Zerakhanu Dhanji Bhatia(Born in 1919 Dar es Salaam).

Dhanji Jadavji Bhatia(Born in 1896 Jamnagar).

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  Available thorough Friesen Press(2013)

'Who knew the eyes of a young girl from the East coast of Africa would see the far corners of the world?

Indian-African Nargis Gercke was born in the Kenyan town of Mombasa before her family moved to Dar es Salaam (“the haven of peace) in neighbouring Tanganyika where she enjoyed a childhood so idyllic it felt like a hazy summer day.

In Life Actually, Nargis tells her story of growing up in a vibrant multicultural family, being shipped off to boarding school in England and finally spreading her wings across the globe. As one of the first women in Dar es Salaam to marry a Caucasian, she and her Swiss husband, Siggi, leave the nest in 1970 and immerse themselves in a swath of cultures from Israel and Spain to China and Canada. The world is a pearl that Nargis has discovered time and time again. This isn't a life half-lived, this is life... actually."

NARGIS GERCKE-BHATIA

Nargis' inspiration to write her first book stems from her multinational and diverse family. Her desire is that this memoir gives her grandchildren the opportunity to share and preserve the family legacy, and that the power of her story brings her memories to life. Nargis now lives with Siggi in Montreal, Quebec, and continues to enjoy her passion as a travel consultant.

"Imagine my complete surprise and joy at reading the magnificently described chronicles of one of my own family member’s life and the sheer number of miles traveled and rich experiences gained. I was also born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, so I found myself intensely engaged in the wonderful cultural and historical accounts that filled the gaps of my own lack of knowledge about familial bonds and relationships so dear. More importantly, Life Actually is a smartly written book that details the confluence of cultural and generational experiences, articulated within the context of historical events, which directly influenced a cohort of women, not just from one family. Now, this 20th century travelogue has the potential of influencing the next generation of people who are ready to be inspired by the travels of a very self-aware and intelligent woman, who detailed a richly led life, full of purpose and direction. Finally, one cannot escape the message of the author’s travelogue, that crossing cultural boundaries instills wisdom and a keen sense of understanding that few people actually achieve." Semeen - School Principal