Forgotten?

My community—the Anglo Indian community—is UNIQUE. I say this with immense pride—and humility—because there is no other group, in the history of the modern world, that has achieved so much and, alas, lost so much in the course of a few generations. You may argue that the North American Indian tribes lost a whole continent (and are still rueing the fact that they did not build a wall to keep all marauders out, like the Chinese did, and which modern America is now attempting to do), but we, the Anglo Indians, adopted the whole of India as our own (or, at least, wherever the railway system went), and no one even attempted to stop us, for truth be told, we were not just the pioneers, we were, as Freddie Mercury would say, “the champions—of the world”—our world; yes, ours.

Our world, which has become modern India’s, was made up of things sweet and pure. The railways led us to places where angels and fellow-men feared to tread, as we laid the foundations for a vibrant, connected India. At the end of the line, and in between, there were the railway colonies, offering safe haven for a way of life unique in every way—not Indian, not British, but a fusion of both. Where else could you enjoy “Trotter Curry” or “Railway Mutton Curry” or even “Pepper Water”?

But first, let’s get back to the basics. At this moment in time, the focus has shifted from the bogus notion of “the White Man’s burden” to the actual encumbrance with which the white man burdened many a local population. In India, they were (and still are) called Anglo Indians—and we are talking only of quasi-polite descriptions here; in the Ceylon of old (now Sri Lanka) there were the Burghers; and in Burma (now Myanmar) there were the Anglo Burmese. The list doesn’t end there: the Americas, the African continent, the land masses of Australasia— everywhere the white man went, he fertilised, and the lands brought forth in abundance. This is why the burden has, of late, become a curse, for hordes of people, from all the previously-occupied lands, return home to the lands of their fathers, or grandfathers, or forefathers. The Bible is always true: what you sow, you will reap.

There are very few distinct minority communities here in India. Foremost among them are the Parsis, descendants of ancient Persia. They are to be found in most of the major cities of India. The have contributed massively to the country’s growth, for they have produced giants of global industry and business, all the while following their unique way of life in peace and prosperity. We hardly hear about the Indian Jews, for most of them have migrated to Israel, though there are pockets in Mumbai and Kochi. This community, while adapting to local ways of dress and language, are very correct in their religious observances. Then there are the Armenians, a business community with strong attachments to the land and to heritage. These people may be found, if at all, in the old colonial port cities, especially Kolkata and Chennai, and there are a few architectural landmarks that they have left behind, to tell of a world that has quietly passed us by.

And, finally, there is US-the Anglo Indians. You may betray us, as many believe the British did to us, you may discard us, as the present government has done, you may decimate us (as that preposterous figure of 296 suggests—296, and counting down), but as I have always maintained, Mother India ( that is Bharat) will never let one—even one—of her children down. Why, we have close to a 1000 here in Pallavaram and the adjoining areas, and still the farce continues. As I have also said before: “ Cry, [my] beloved country.”

I, too, have a dream, my dear Readers. As one President said: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask, instead, what YOU can do for your country.

Much more to come in the coming weeks. Until then.