In 1948, the birth of twins in rural Kenya marked the beginning of an extraordinary story. One of the infants, Karam Bharji, whose name means “Victory Over Destiny”, was not expected to survive. With medicine far less advanced than in twenty-first century England, doctors advised the family to take his twin sister home and leave him at the hospital to die. But Karam’s grandfather stepped in and would not allow this to happen. He brought the fragile newborn home, in a cardboard box, where he was carefully nurtured and against all odds, and Karam survived.
Despite this precarious start to life, Karam described his childhood in Kenya as “wonderful,” though he acknowledged that some might regard his upbringing as “feral.” These early experiences undoubtedly shaped his enduring love of adventure and thrill. While Karam’s parents, older brother and sister moved to the city, Karam remained on his grandfather’s farm, granting him freedom and the opportunity to pursue various hobbies. By the age of twelve, he had already learned to drive, and by fourteen he was confidently flying his friends in the family’s aeroplane.
Schooling in Kenya was largely similar to that in Britain. Karam spent seven years in primary school before sitting the “7+” examination, which enabled him to progress to grammar school. He particularly enjoyed science, valuing its combination of creativity and fascination. Excelling academically, Karam set his sights on becoming a pilot in the air force, and by the age of nineteen he had achieved this ambition, getting his first job as a pilot.
In the 1960s, he travelled to Glasgow to visit his brother, and he later moved to Manchester, where he unfortunately encountered significant discrimination. Nevertheless, he secured work in insurance, which once again opened opportunities for international travel. He worked in France for eight months, and later got a transfer to West Africa, where he finally had the chance to fly again. While working in Nigeria, Karam rapidly rose through the professional ranks, describing himself as a “king” there. Unfortunately, deteriorating safety conditions across Africa forced him to relocate to Northampton after time there.
Upon returning to England, Karam discovered that his insurance qualifications were no longer valid, due to changes in systems and laws. Undeterred, he undertook a degree in computing, and went on to become a university lecturer in Birmingham before later continuing his career in Northampton at the University of Northampton. Eventually, he chose to pursue his creative passions more directly, becoming a photojournalist, a role that allowed him to fully embrace his love of exploration and adventure.
At the age of 23, he met his wife Ambi, whom he married in 1976. Together, they have three sons. While some of Karam’s family still reside in Kenya, one of his sons now lives in Singapore, enabling Karam to continue the global lifestyle that has always been central to his identity. Over the years, he has also mastered seven languages: Greek, Hindi, Punjabi, French, English, Swahili, and Urdu, an extraordinary skill that has allowed him to forge connections across cultures and continents.
When meeting Karam and listening to his stories, we hoped to capture memorable snapshots of his extraordinary life. Among the moments he treasures most are visiting a hyena’s den and narrowly escaping a crocodile attack while attempting to photograph it!
When asked what he was most proud of, Karam spoke movingly of the communities he has had the privilege to visit and connect with, a sentiment that reflects the true heart of this project. When asked what he might have done differently, he expressed only one regret: that he did not have more opportunities to fly, affirming his belief that one should always follow their passions. His advice was simple yet profound: have dreams and strive to make them reality until you succeed.
Ultimately, Karam’s story highlights the true importance of intergenerational storytelling. Karam’s life has been shaped by remarkable experiences and bold undertakings, enriched by deep joy and quiet wisdom. His adventures, wisdom, and reflections will remain with us, inspiring us to live with courage, creativity, and purpose.
Read more of our Intergenerational Stories
