In the smoky heart of Birmingham 1969, Ahmed, an ex-pat from Pakistan, worked tirelessly to carve out a life for his family, a loving wife and three children, two boys and girl. After all, he’s came to the Commonwealth’s mother country at the age of 22 in 1946. It’s a home from home isn’t it?

Leaving behind his beloved Lahore, he faced the cold damp streets of Britain and now the old too familiar colder stares of those who saw his skin colour before his smile. Was it ignorance, fear or curiosity? This was a daily reality however — shouted and whispered slurs on the bus, at the park, even outside the school gates. But Ahmed always found resilience in his colourful community.

His small corner shop, nestled at the top of Edward Road, became a lifeline for his fellow ex-pats, offering fragrant basmati rice, lentils, spices, and pickles that carried the taste of home. He drove his pride and joy — a mustard-yellow Datsun Cherry 120Y — through rain-slicked streets, delivering groceries to the elders in the community, who reminded him of his own journey.

In the evenings, the scent of a chicken karahi and freshly made roti drifted from his kitchen, filling his colourful fully carpeted terraced house with warmth.

Life was never easy, but in the laughter of his children and the shared meals with friends, Ahmed found the strength to endure and prosper. He was proud of his heritage, he was proud of his new home and country and he was proud of his family and friends.

He was known as a Chachaman, a ‘mocking’ title, but he loved it, and of course, he Owned it.

You can be proud and own it as well. We all know a Chachaman, the sheer will of his life and his epic quest to succeed is better than a million life coaches or how to get rich stories on Tik Tok.

Work hard honestly and life will come to you. You need to own the Chachaman vibe. Live by his code and show him respect.