SPECIAL FEATURE HISTORY MADE IN LEICESTER – SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES COMMEMORATE 1942 SS TILAWA 83rd ANNIVERSARY!

In the heart of the largest community of Indians living outside of India, 312 people at The Peepul Centre, Leicester, and over 1,000 streaming live on YouTube, officially recognized the ill-fated S.S. Tilawa, also described as “The Indian Titanic.” Attendees memorialized the loss of 280 lives, and expressed thanks and recognition for the rescue mission to bring home 678 survivors.

On the afternoon of Sunday 23rd November 2025, a packed Peepul Centre theatre listened attentively to a historic 3 hour program. The 83rd Anniversary program was produced and organized by Tilawa 1942 Heritage Productions Ltd. Founder, Emile Solanki directed this exciting and impressive production.

The S.S. Tilawa is believed to be the only passenger ship torpedoed by the Japanese in the Indian Ocean during the Second World War with Indian Nationals onboard. The incident took place before a full moon, in the early hours of the morning, on 23rd November 1942. The Japanese I-29 submarine twice attacked the ship. Passengers fought for dear life over 2 days. After scanning waters for 2 days, HMS Birmingham and SS Carthage rescued the majority of 958 people onboard. War diaries acknowledge it is possible that some were missed in their search, for any who survived the torpedo attacks. It was not possible to find and rescue every living person due to the vast coverage of waters.

The rescue was made possible due to the heroic efforts of British first radio officer E.B. Duncan who sacrificed his life to ensure distress calls and the last known ship location was sent out. A posthumous Kings Bravery award was later issued for him.

Interestingly, 5 months after Tilawa’s sinking, the same Japanese crew and submarine rescued and provided safe passage to Indian freedom fighter, Subhas C. Bose.

What made this 83rd anniversary historic and unique? Founder, Emile Solanki delivered the opening update. The audience were taken back, and reacted emotionally when presented with new developments. This included:

– Seeing the wreck of the S.S. Tilawa, artifacts, memorial plaque, the very water area of the sinking

– A recreation of the vessel

– Release of a new Tilawa 1942 music album, “MUSAFIR”

– Announcing a new living survivor, 88 year old, Mrs. Sarolben Patel. This now makes 4 living survivors, namely, Mr. Gaffer Ayoub Osman from Leicester, Mr. Arvindbhai Jani from South London, and Mrs. Tejparkash Mangat from Ohio USA. Additionally Mr. Mervyn Maciel approaching age 97, from South London, was a teenager when his entire family died during the second torpedo attack, according to their cabin-boy

– Education through sports: Tilawa 1942 first cricket tournament, in Gujarat, India

– Podcast interview on “History Hit” with Dan Snow

– Tilawa silver minted into coins by the UK Royal Mint, and South Africa Mint

– The first non-asian family came forward, whose father was a deck officer on the Tilawa. Mr. Hugh Ramsay Milne’s daughters living in Colorado USA, became aware of this forgotten tragedy after their father passed away. His story was captured on a painting, that was later given to his daughters

– The first Museum Talk of the S.S. Tilawa at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich

– The worlds largest national maritime museum in Lothal, Gujarat, have accepted the Tilawa account to be featured in their merchant marine gallery

– The first micro museum dedicated to HMS Kelly and S.S. Tilawa in Hebburn Newcastle is planned

– The British High Commission in Mumbai and Pretoria lay Tilawa wreaths in November 2025. This was the first year for Pretoria, and the third for Mumbai, thanks to Mr. Alan Gemmel, then British Deputy High Commissioner, and now Scottish Labour MP

– The first model to scale the S.S. Tilawa was created!

The commemoration was hosted by Leicester local and well respected BBC’s Kamlesh Purohit. Interviews with Tilawa families were conducted by producer and director Riffi Khan, from Riffi Media, who was previously at ITV for many years. Amandeep Dhillon from ReelN, also supported the team and occasion.

Speeches were delivered by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Mr, Michael Kapur, The Lord Mayor, Councillor Teresa Aldred, Her Excellency The Ugandan High Commissioner to the UK, Mrs. Nimisha Madhvani, The Right Honourable Mr. Keith Vaz, Sir Paul Marshall, and British Indian artist Apache Indian. His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Mr. Manoj Joshi, and Ugandan Consul General, Mr. Jaffer Kapasi, also attended.

This year’s commemoration had many Ugandan families connected to the S.S. Tilawa. This included Mrs. Madhvani’s grandmother, mother, and aunts who were survivors.

Riffi Khan interviewed several families. Sabras Radio broadcaster, Kash Kumar, local to Leicester, shared his story. Kash (Mukesh. R. Solanki) is the father of Tilawa 1942 founder Emile Solanki. Kash’s father (the late Mr. Ranchhodbhai N. Solanki) was adopted by his uncle (the late Mr. Vallabhbhai C. Solanki) , when his father (the late Mr. Nichhabhai C. Solanki) died on the Tilawa. The dark family secret was revealed by Kash’s father in October 2007. This commenced a father son journey of research, discovery, and connections to the wider Tilawa global community. 4 commemorative efforts are the results of this 18 year journey.

Dr. Tina Mohindra, Ketan Rohit, Dr. Kalwant Bhambra, Nirmal Bhachu, Rakesh Patel, and Malkit Sondh shared their stories with the audience. The interviews included comments from survivors Mr. Jani and Mr. Osman, and video messages from Mrs. Mangat and Mrs. Patel.

As an investor in deep sea exploration, science, and technological research, Sir Paul Marshall was one of several behind the discovery of the S.S. Tilawa in 2012, as well as the first ever wreck visit. Argentum Exploration Ltd., and director Ross Hyett, organized and managed this historic project. The wreck was again visited, and carefully studied, by Magellan Ltd. in March 2025. Magellan arranged for a memorial plaque to be permanently installed on the wreck. A silver Krugerrand minted by the South African Mint, using the salvaged Tilawa silver, performed by Argentum Exploration Ltd., was also attached to this plaque. Thanks to Argentum Exploration, and Magellan, the wreck can now be seen. Special thanks was given to Magellan and Michael Brady at Seabank Digital who delivered incredible content for all to enjoy.

The SS Tilawa Foundation in South Africa, sent Mr. Tahir Sema, to represent the foundation. He shared the story of his grandfather’s survival, the late Mr. M. Sema. A moving video was shown with comments from many affected families. The setting was on a Durban coast boat cruise in November 2025, during the 82nd commemoration weekend.

The epic conclusion of the commemoration leading to the moment of silence was a visual of the memorial plaque installed on the Tilawa wreck. At the blowing of the horn, with a view of the vessel animation, the audience were able to reflect the sobering reality of what took place in 1942.

The response from Tilawa families has been overwhelming. Well known Ugandan Hockey Olympian, Mr. Malkit Sondh now living in North London, is the son of a survivor, the late Mr. Didar Singh Sondh. He wrote to Tilawa 1942: “Thank you so much for organizing such a brilliant, beautiful and memorable event for the 1942 Tilawa commemoration. The attention to detail, the atmosphere, and the way everything was put together was a real credit to your and your team’s hard work and dedication and respect to the elders. I was very humbled and touched by the relationship that you have with your father. It reminded me of mine with my later father Didar Singh Sondh ji. These blessings are your strength and will take you to the greatest heights. Keep up the great work and we will continue to support you to the best of our ability. It was a privilege to be there for me and all of my family sharing memories and meeting others whose families were also affected by this tragedy. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for keeping these memories alive in our communities and around the world.”

Rakesh Patel, from North London, and son of living 88 year old survivor Mrs. Sarojben Patel, said:

“Thank you for a very moving commemoration. A lot of hard work which went into organising it was clearly evident. Putting on something like this isn’t something that is achieved in one day. What we all have in common with Tilawa makes us one big family!“

Leicester’s Ketan Rohit, grandson of the late survivor, Mr. Premji Mavji, said: “You should be very proud for producing such a professional and informative commemorative event on an event that is now “not forgotten” thanks to all of your hard work. Thank you for involving and inviting people whose hearts this tragedy sadly touched and for letting them share their stories. Thank you for allowing me to share my bapa’s (grandads) story on stage and how his journey made our lives possible. It was a pleasure to meet and speak with the extended Tilawa family and share stories of how we found out a relative was part of the tragedy. If people haven’t donated yet, please do and help this cause go further. I look forward to attending the next commemoration and seeing all of the new discoveries.”

Hash Navsaria from Leicester, had family onboard Tilawa. He wrote: “What an awesome day, covering all the progress made from the start of the process to the discovery of the Tilawa, the laying of the commemorative plate on the wreck, all stitched together with the real stories of the people that were on board, the impact it has on the generations that followed, whether they survived or perished. It was a privilege to be present today. Our heartfelt thanks go to all the many people involved in bringing this bit of history to the forefront and in particular Emile and his team that have driven this process.”

Yogesh Tailor, from London, is grandson of the late survivor Mr. Haribhai Ganda. He wrote:

“Great BIG Thank you to the Tilawa team for a SUPER presentation of the 83rd Commemoration!! All your hard work, research, planning and bringing so much awareness in the UK and other parts of the world with honoured dignitaries, celebs and folk is greatly appreciated and praised!! Respect to you…From initial shreds of information you’ve managed to source, gather, articulate, produce and highlight an important historical legacy. By doing so bringing together so many people & families deeply connected to this piece of tragic history.. Mine included!! This historic fateful event is now NOT forgotten!!!! A shame this didn’t happen 20 plus years ago.. My grandfather Haribhai Gandabhai (Tailor) was 31 in 1942 was travelling on board the Tilawa and by God’s Grace and his true grit survived this horrific event. Tragically he lost a young niece who he was accompanying to Durban. Despite this he lived a full life to a grand age of 98. Sadly, he passed away in 2005. Grandfather would have been honoured and deeply moved by what you have successfully created. Myself and my family members are sincerely grateful.”

The founder of the SS Tilawa Foundation in South Africa, Mr. Haroon Tar Mohamed, the descendant of Tilawa passengers, wrote: “Hi Emile. You put a really excellent presentation together. But most for me was the fact that you achieved what you had promised your grandfather. You found the ship and laid a plaque as close to ever that you could get.Well done!!!“

On future goals, Emile says there is a long list! This includes:

– Obtaining a response from the Japanese Government

– Museum engagement with Newcastle, Leicester, Greenwich London, Lothal India

– UK Prime Ministers Questions including a mention of Tilawa

– Historical Book

– Documentary

– Feature Film

– Introduce the Tilawa story to Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and Japan

Emile says “with the help of social media, families continue to come forward with their stories. Plans for future commemorative events are unknown at this time. There have been discussions for commemorative dinners, Mumbai to Durban cruises, Mombasa to Durban coastal cruise, or an event in Uganda. A documentary, feature film, book release, and permanent museum exhibits would also justify a commemorative occasion.”

Click Here to view the program

Click Here the new Tilawa 1942 music album, “MUSAFIR”

Click Here for Press Media Coverage

For more information on the S.S. Tilawa visit tilawa1942.com. To share information or for general inquiries email info@tilawa1942.com. You may donate at tilawa1942.com/donations