Narendra (Nick) Chouhan
Narendra (Nick) is a Zimbabwean of Indian heritage with a lifelong passion for cricket and community development. A respected writer and former sports administrator, he has engaged with international cricketers and chronicled the lives of Zimbabwean Indian sportsmen, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons.
Since retiring from business in 2015, Nick has enjoyed travelling with his wife, reconnecting with friends and family around the world—from India and South Africa to Dubai, Bali, the UK, Singapore, and Australia.
1. Stories of Zimbabwean Indian documents an underrepresented history. Why do you think the story of Indian communities in Southern Africa has remained so little known?
These are stories had to be documented for our future generations to appreciate that trials , tabulations and perseverance early pioneers endured .
2. Sport plays a major role throughout the book. What makes cricket and hockey such powerful symbols of identity and resistance in your narrative.
Cricket and hockey were the two main sports played to the Indian Community thought football and tennis were lesser sports
3. The episode of Haroon Ismail’s exclusion from the 1969 Rhodesian cricket team is particularly powerful. How did it feel to revisit such moments of racial injustice?
I don’t want to dwell on this too much . It is a well known fact that most of these sports were racially segregated during the colonial era. Due to the country’s close relations with apartheid South Africa teams from Rhodesia could only White players in the national team
4. Many of your stories highlight success emerging from humble beginnings. What do these stories tell us about the values that sustained the community?
This indicates that anybody with the dream, perseverance and hard work can achieve great heights. I grew up with Haroun from child hood and he is a strong case who succeeded internationally with the right mind set
5. How did you access archival materials like photographs, scorecards, and family documents—were they difficult to preserve and authenticate?
Most of the photos, stories were related personally to me by those I featured. I also used Google to check on some of thd information
6. The book spans nearly a century of community life. Did you observe any particular shifts in identity, belonging, or ambition across generations?
Yes definitely. I see the younger generation having different goals that the times when grew up . We enjoyed being outdoors , mixed more with friends and now most children spend all their times indoors and spend times electronically devises.
7. Your writing captures both triumph and nostalgia. Was it difficult to maintain emotional distance while telling stories so close to your heart?
For sure -I no author but once started writing articles during Covid I found that there was a tremendous interest in the past
8. What role do you believe documentation and storytelling play in preserving diaspora identity, especially for communities now scattered across the world?
It keeps then in touch with people where they were born and appreciate what has been achieved by us from home .
9. If you were to expand this project into a sequel or digital archive, what new directions or themes would you explore?
I have not given matter any thought and at the age of 75 , I’m not sure I’m up to it. I will keep on going what I am passionate about
10. Finally, how do you personally define success for Stories of Zimbabwean Indian—as a book, as a record, and as a gift to your community?
I feel privileged to do something that never ever though I have achieve. I keep people informed about what’s happening I thank GOD for giving me the courage and strength to pursue my interaction with others.
Book By Narendra (Nick) Chouhan : Stories of Zimbabwean Indians
Publisher: Evincepub Publishing
