|E37| Sejal relives: Discovering My Birthplace & My Passion For Writing Poetry

Sejal Majithia-Jaswal knows she was born in Uganda, and lived for a short while in India before moving to the UK. But what she didn't know for 50 years is where exactly she was born.. but here she shares how a combination of faith and serendipity helped her find it. Sejal also shares how self-belief helped her: become the first ever female in her age bracket to win a chess championship, work on award-winning advertising campaigns for well-known brands (Cadbury's, Just Eat, and iPhone), and change careers at the age of 50 to discover & align her passion for writing and poetry.

We discuss:

Comparing the Uganda of 50 years ago to what it's like now

The lost strong sense of community of Ugandan Asians after leaving Uganda

Growing up in a competitive household

Learning to play chess with cut up paper pieces and becoming the first female chess champion of her age (Queen's Gambit!)

Discovering a love for poetry & writing during lockdown

How faith, perseverance & serendipity helped her find her place of birthMeeting her partner at a warehouse party

Creating Dancefloor Recall - https://www.dancefloor-recall.com/ (follow the link; share your dancefloor love story!)

Working on a project & travel exhibition for the 50th Anniversary of Ugandan Asian expulsion (for 2022)- Get in touch to find out more: https://www.instagram.com/ugandanasians/

Is globalisation good or bad for the appreciation of different societies and cultures?

Quotes from the episode

"I always say that travel is very much in my DNA"

"At 40 I said I wanted to do something different, and I never did.. so when I was about to turn 50, I was like 'Right, I've got to change now'".

"My mum always said that if you ever wanted to find me, you'd find me with my head stuck in a book somewhere"

"I think it's important that not only do we tell our stories, but we shape our stories too"

"I don't think there's anything worse than going through life and doing things because that's what's expected of you"

"I'm still hoping to write that best novel, being the next J.K. Rowling, or Elizabeth Gilbert"

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