MELWANI, B H
Pioneers of Singapore,
Accession Number 000146
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 6
Total Reels
- Lim How Seng
Interviewer
- 02:42:12
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:30:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His grandfather's arrival in Penang in 1879 to work for Messrs Wasiamal. Two years later, went to Medan to start hawking business. Progressed to opening shops selling textiles. Further expansion to Sumatra, India and Singapore. Reason for his father starting on his own while his uncle inherited grandfather's business overseas. Grandfather's headquarters in Hyderabad. His family background. Why he came to Singapore to join uncle's business.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:29:57
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Living conditions on board ship for cabin and deck passengers. Arrival in Singapore. His relationship with seniors in the shop. Daily work routine; comparison with predecessor's. Reaction of Sindhi community to first air raid. Seeking protection in air raid shelters. Looking for refuge out of town to escape bombing.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:30:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How Japanese soldiers dealt with looting. Reaction of Sindhi community to fall of Singapore. Activities of Indian Independence League. His impression of Chandra Bose. His participation in Indian Independence League. Business during Japanese Occupation. Study of Japanese enhanced his position in company; promoted to manager. His activity in Vilgilante Corps. Designating level of management by stars eg one star, two stars, etc.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:29:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Business after the war. Shortage of textiles. Reasons for leaving company in 1947. New terms of employment. Resigned in 1949. Joined partnership with friend for 21 years. Setting up his own company. Reasons for merging with cousin's shop (his original employer) to form joint ownership under M B Melwani. Branching out to other lines besides textile. His view on changes in textile trade over the years.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:28:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Main reason for his success. Comparison of working hours between past and present. Methods of recruitment of staff; now opened to non-Sindhis. His involvement in Rotary Club. His role in promoting tourist industry. How Tourist Advisory Committee was formed, scraped and restarted as a private concern, Singapore Tourist Association. Convincing government that tourism be treated as an industry. How Singapore Tourist Promotion Board started with Kenny Byrne as Chairman.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 6
Metadata
- 15 Dec 1981
Recording Date
- 00:13:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His activities in Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce. His views on business relationships between Indian with Chinese and European businessmen. His role in Sindhi Merchants Association. Reason for decline of Sindhi culture in Singapore.
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