Jelal Kalyanji Natali

Jelal Kalyanji Natali QSM (17 August 1899 – 28 March 1993) was an Indian-New Zealand shopkeeper, Indian community leader and anti-racism activist.^[1]

Born in Surat, Gujarat, Natali arrived in Auckland in 1920 via Natal, South Africa, and established himself as shopkeeper, first in Waimiha in the King Country^[2] and then in Taumarunui in the central North Island. After investing in Taumarunui properties and businesses he moved to Browns Bay in Auckland, where his descendants still live.^[3]

As early as 1937 Natali was actively engaged in campaigning against racist laws.^[4] In the 1986 New Year Honours, he was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community service.^[5]

References

1. "Natali, Jelal Kalyanji - Biography - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand". teara.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011. Natali, Jelal Kalyanji
2. "Papers Past — Evening Post — 26 January 1940 — INDIAN'S MESSAGE". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
3. "New Zealand Companies Register entry for NATALI INVESTMENTS LIMITED". business.govt.nz. 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
4. "Papers Past — Evening Post — 17 June 1937 — THUMB-PRINT IDEA". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
5. "No. 50362". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1985. p. 31.