A GREAT-GRANDFATHER and successful former cricketer living in Brentwood has been doing his bit to strengthen race relations throughout Europe – and is still working hard at the age of 89.
Dr Tara Mukherjee moved to Leicester from Calcutta, India, in 1948 at the age of 24 and has lived in the UK ever since.
He would go on to play for Leicestershire County Cricket Club, but his placement in the second-class team inspired him to fight to spread the message of multiculturalism.
Recalling his career, he said: "The city wanted me to play cricket for Leicester County.
"I wanted to play first-class cricket but my special registration was refused so I played for a second-class team."
However, he soon proved his worth in his first game against North End County.
He said: "I got a century. The best part was just after when I was walking along the street and a fellow tapped me on the shoulder. He was an Indian and he said he'd treat me to a meal.
"Everyone from the Indian community in Leicester was there at the match – 17 people in total."
Dr Mukherjee is chairman of the European Multicultural Society, a cultural Pan-European association.
He said: "We work to integrate without losing our culture or identity – we are non-political but I meet and speak Prime Ministers."
He explained some of his proudest achievements within the charity: "We separated race from disability, equality and women through Tony Blair.
"My proposal alone created the Equal Opportunities Commission.
"I also proposed to Tony Blair that the Home Office shouldn't be responsible for race as well as immigration.
"He agreed and now the Home Office is not responsible for race; now it has gone into community and cultural."
"These achievements make me better known, as well as through my cricket."
Dr Mukherjee is also chairman of the European Union Migrants Forum (EMF) and explained: "I represent all those people whose culture is outside the EU."
He has met the Prime Minister of Australia and travelled around all the United States in 1996 to see how they made multiculturalism work.
"When I came back I thought something needs to be done in Europe and with my influence with the EMF I could do it."
Dr Tara Mukherjee explained that his intention was to go back to India after a few years: "But I met an English girl the following year and that was that."
They married in 1951 and had two children, Jasmin, who worked as a model in Holland but died in 2008 aged 57, and Karl, 56, who played football for Leicester City and now lives in Eastwood, Leicester.
Dr Mukherjee has two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
"When they were little I asked them what they would call me and they said ancient," he laughed.
The Viking Way resident moved to Essex in 1976 and has been happily married for 62 years.
He said: "I like Essex very much – people are so understanding and friendly and considerate."
He said his wife, Betty Patricia, 82, now lives in a nursing home nearby but they still see each other every day.
Dr Mukherjee added: "I am still very active with the European Multicultural Society and at the moment we have 493,000 Euros and through our partnerships with Austria, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain and the UK we are delivering projects into schools to promote multiculturalism.
"Britain is a human mosaic and all people are accepted here."
Dr Mukherjee was given an honorary doctorate by Middlesex University for his contribution to race relations in 2009.
