"The Wadhwani Je Ne Sais Quoi"

Why is it that Wadhwanis always manage to have a good time with each other, even though they may only meet once a year, sometimes less? What is it that keeps our family close-knit, even though physically we are often separated by many thousands of miles?

Although our clan spans many generations and nearly all corners of the earth, Wadhwanis the world over possess a set of shared personality traits that form important parts of our identities. These common characteristics mean that the world often perceives us in similar ways. To an onlooker, it would appear that any random Wadhwani is: fashion-conscious; well-groomed; gregarious; good-humoured; likes a drink; cosmopolitan; tolerant; worldly and well-travelled. This description probably fits any one of you guys.

The fact that we share these characteristics is important for two reasons: firstly, it gives us a sense of belonging. We can identify with a community beyond our individual selves. This is important because, for many, identifying yourself with the wider Sindhi community is not always desirable (particularly if you live in London!). Thinking of yourself firstly as a person and secondly as a Wadhwani gives you an element of pride; you are secure in the knowledge that you belong to a successful, well-liked and good-natured group of people beyond your immediate family.

The second benefit of sharing a set of common characteristics is that family reunions are always joyous affairs, positively charged with good energy. The fact that we have so much in common means that, even when we meet after long gaps without seeing one another, we have the ability to overcome the awkward formalities and pleasantries that are usually synonymous with reunions. Instead, we very quickly get friendly again and then get down to serious partying.

Now, the fact that we have similar traits is not to say that we are all clones - far from it. We combine a diverse array of talents: on the musical front we are well represented by Sanjeev, Kishore, Girish, Harish and latterly yours truely; art/fashion with Rekha chachi, Vikki, Vijay bhai and Ravina; investment matters with Karina, Girish, Loveen; linguistic talents with Lavish; interior design with Nitin; partying with Akshay. Our family has spawned musical albums (Sanjeev/Girish/Harish), novels (Kajal), newspaper articles (Lavish & Gaurav in The Independent Newspaper, UK).

Nay, we are not short of diversity. In fact, it is the culmination of individuality within the framework a shared set of values that makes reunions such thoroughly enjoyable affairs. We are all different and have grown up in different countries, but remain united; not by surname, but by the knowledge that we are Wadhwanis, if not always in name then definitely in personality. This knowledge means we can quickly break down artifical barriers that have grown between us due to long periods of non-communication. I might tell you something on my random visit to New York or Mumbai that I would not even tell close friends back in the UK, because I know that, as a Wadhwani, (1) I can trust you not to misappropriate the information I have just shared with you and (2) I can rely on you to give me sound advice . Perhaps it comes down to an understanding that we are all from the same stock, and we will all be there for each other at the end of the day. With this in mind, we often feel freer to act ourselves when in the presence of our family than we do when in the presence of others.

Will the next generation of Wadhwanis, i.e. Kabir, Pravir, Hamit, Samira, Rianna, Alec, etc, inherit/acquire these characteristics? I would argue that they would, because when they grow up, the "Wadhwani je ne sais quoi" will be imbibed in them when they go through the following things that we all went through:

1. Family weddings. Thailand August 2006 baby.
2. Bombay for New Years. No year is complete without a December visit to Bombay. Long live communions featuring all generations at Crescent.
3. Worlwide travel. No visit to one of the major cities in the world - Mumbai, London or New York - is complete without stopping by and seeing family. I did so recently in New York, where even though I was only around for 2 nights, I was welcomed by Sanjana, Karina, Monish, Andy and Guna.
4. Drinking.
5. Support. One of the most wonderful things about the family is the support network - we always have time to help each other, be it in our business or personal lives. This hopefully will always exist.

It is only by keeping these traditions alive that we can be sure of indoctrinating our new brood of youngsters with the "Wadhwani je ne sais quoi". Bring on Thailand! Phuket can be to us what the Galapagos Islands were to Darwin - the scene of an experiment to solve the nature/nurture debate, this time Wadhwani-style.