�Well, did you get mine?� he asked.
Answering a question with another question is an art some people can practise perfectly without blinking an eye-lid.
�Oh, I haven�t checked my emails yet,� I grinned sheepishly.
�Check-mate then,� he laughed.
For a person who played a pivotal role in obtaining a �1.77 million grant from the Millennium Commission for the Gujarat Hindu Society�s Preston temple project, Ishubhai Tailor is a surprisingly down-to-earth individual.
His team also raised another �1.8 million for the project, mainly from private supporters including prominent businessman Manubhai Madhvani, the philanthropic Hinduja brothers, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar Editor C B Patel and English Partnerships.
�I feel pleased with the MBE for two reasons,� he explained. �First, the work going on in the community has been finally recognised. Second, the sacrifices my family have made have finally borne fruit.�
Ishubhai�s typical day consists of eight hours at work, four hours at the temple and only two hours with his family. �I am grateful for the support received from my family, specially my wife who put up with my unsocial hours,� he added.
Ishubhai has other hats to wear as well. He is the Vice Chair of the Preston Racial Equality Council, the Secretary of the Preston Mela, and also a local magistrate.
�The Gujarat Hindu Society acquired its first building in 1974,� he explained.
In 1997, the Society received the Millennium Commission grant, and moved into its newly completed modern building in 1999.
�We have two strands of activities,� continued Ishubhai. �The temple-based activities that include festivals and religious services, and the community-based activities that include Learn Direct, a partnership with Preston College to provide free computer classes to members of the community, a youth club and sports activities like badminton, table tennis, yoga, aerobics and Indian games. We also have an OCR registered school to teach Gujarati at the GCSE level examinations.�
�And, ah.. do you have any role models in your life?� I enquired.
I rather hoped he wouldn�t come out with the usual Nobel-prize winning answer � Gandhi, Sardar Patel, or the even more boring, �my-father-is-the-biggest-inspiration-in-my-life� howler.
�Role model?� puzzled Ishubhai. �What do you mean by that?�
�I mean � is there someone who inspired you in your life?�
�Oh, of course,� he replied, seeing some light at the end of the tunnel after all. �Several people have continued to inspire me: Shri Ram Bhakt from India, a very learned scholar who was the main inspirer for the temple; Chhotubhai Pattni from London; and C B Patel, Editor of Gujarat Samachar, who has provided inspiration, support and advise over the last 30 yrs. They are our leading lights.�
I smiled. He had avoided mentioning the usual suspects. Full marks to you, Ishubhai.