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The
Vakco General Store
Hello Peter,
Kudos for
creating Aden Forum and posting beautiful pictures that
brought back fond memories of my early childhood in
Aden. I was browsing and looking for images of Aden and
just happened to bump into your site.
My grandfather
came to Aden from India in early 1900s and I am the
second generation born and raised in Aden. My father
and uncles owned the Vakco General Store in
Steamer Point, Tawahi. You may have visited the store
because we used to sell appliances (we had agency for
PYE radio), spirits, perfumes,
jewelry,
clothing, and other goods from UK, such as
chocolates, candies, variety of newspapers, magazines
and comics (Beano, Dandy, Topper, and spy13 WWII picture
books). The store was across (slight left) from the P&O
Building and the big playground, where the ceremony for
Queen Elizabeth II took place in early 1950s. Our large
flat was right above the store (entire top floor with
terrace), with a fantastic view of the harbour, seen as
one of the two
white buildings with black roofs in your picture of
Steamer Point SS Oriana. Have even seen black Mary (the
one, you guys have been talking about) from the terrace
in wee hours!
Because of political situation, I left Aden in 1964 (I
was 14) and went to Mumbai, India to get education. My
parents
and uncle stayed till 1977 but when my father
and uncle passed away
in the same year, my mom left everything - store,
car and a house in Khormaksar!
Peter, I was wondering whether you had any video of
Aden. I would be interested in purchasing if you have
one.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Vikram Vakharia |
