Degam

Degam
—  village  —
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District(s)	ValsadNavasari
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)

Degam is a village in Valsad District in the state of Gujarat, India. The population is around 3000.

The nearest city is Valsad and the nearest town is Billimora. Some of the divisions within Degam are named:

• Kumbharfalia - where traditionally the carpenters came from.
• Navafalia- the newest area of the village
• Parsifailia - mostly made up of Parsi people
• Masidfalia - mostly made up of Gujarati Muslim people

There is one small temple in the village along with a few shops. There are no other businesses in the area. This means that the younger generations have to seek work in the nearby towns.

External links

• Degam at Maplandia.com

Degam is mainly populated by two main communities; former landowners and farmers known “anavils” who all share the surnames of Desais,, and artisans like potters, carpenters, tailors etc most whom share the surnames of Mistry,Prajapati and Lad.The other residents are Gujarati Muslims and some people , what the Indian Government call, people of "backward classes"

These Prajapatis emmigrated to Africa, mainly South Africa, East Africa, that is Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and Northern Rhodesia now known as Zambia in 1920s and 30sduring the British Raj. There were no liners in those days, so they sailed in dhows. Some worked as carpenters, others as clerks and very few started their own business. A few of those who went to South Africa and Zambia started with a small business..

When the "wind of change" blew through African countries, the British shed their burden and gave all the countries independence. India was the first one to struggle and gained Independence in 1947. In absence of British authorities, none them could survive in the independent African countries

Almost all the former emmigrants from Degam, along with others, chose to go to UK rather than going to the newly independent India.

Whereas they found jobs in factory etc, their children had the benefit of English education.

The Prajapati progressed, and with economic independence and improved standard of living, the first generation frequented India virtually every year, bought property there or improved the homes they left behind, and even arranged the marriages of their offspring to the children of their own "caste" that is the Prajapatis from Degam and surrounding villages..

The second generation have, of late found interest in their ancestral homes

To day their love for Degam has seen building of a Community Centre of great distinction. For more information visit Prajapatis own website www.Degam.com