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EDIT:The authour of this speech is no longer anonymous, Bev
Pearson and I made contact and it is about time that we at PepperWater
give him credit for this. Click here to read his short bio and put a
face to this specttacular article!
This was a speech written and presented by Beverly Pearson at the Anglo-Indian Association of NSW anniversary dance in October of 2005 in Sydney, Australia. He was delighted by the standing ovation recieved but more satisfied to find the Anglo-Indian sudeince all agreed on one thing: "You made us proud to be Anglo-Indian"
Good Evening Ladies & Gentleman. Welcome to this special evening. I'm attempting to condense over 300 years of Anglo-Indian history in to 10 minutes.
The British Empire once held absolute power in over 52 countries. About two-fifths of the world. But there was only one jewel in the crown - India The first European settlers in India were the Portuguese in 1498 about 100 years before the British. The Dutch, French and the British followed. They were all here for the durati on. The inevitable happened and a new mixed race community emerged.
Even though the British came in peacefully as merchants and traders they soon colonised the sub-continent of India. But the British needed allies to protect the jewel in the crown and so began a deliberate policy encouraging British males to marry Indian women to create the first Anglo-Indians.
The East India Company paid 15 silver rupees for each child born to an Indian mother and a European father, as family allowance. These children were amalgamated into the growing Anglo-Indian community, forming a defensive structure for the British Raj. This was a deliberate act of self preservation by the English. This unique hybrid individual was ethnically engineered by the occupying British so much so that the Anglo-Indians were the only micro-minority community ever defined in a Constitution.
Article-366 of the Indian Constitution states An Anglo-Indian means a person whose father or any of whose male ancestors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident there-in and not established there for temporary purposes only.So you can see we were intended to be a permanent micro-minority.
In 1830 British Parliament described the Anglo-Indian as those who have been English educated, are entirely European in their habits and feelings, dress and language. They were more "Anglo" than "Indian". Their mother-tongue was English, they were Catholic or Anglican and their customs and traditions were English. While most of them married within their own circle, many continued to marry expatriate Englishmen. Very few married Indians. Without Anglo-Indian support British rule would have collapsed.
RAILWAYS
We ran the railways, post and telegraph, police and customs, education, export and import, shipping, tea, coffee and tobacco plantations, the coal and gold fields. We became teachers, nurses, priests and doctors. If it had any value the British made sure we ran it. And when it came to secretarial duties no one could touch our Anglo-Indian girls - the best stenographers in the world and with beauty to match. Were we favoured? Yes, the English trusted us. After all we were blood related. We worked hard. We became indispensable. We lived comfortably and were protected by the British raj. Like the British we had servants to do all our domestic work.
The average Anglo-Indian home could afford at least three full time servants - a cook, a bearer and the indispensable nanny (ayah). Part time servants included a gardener, cleaner and laundry man (dhobi). Of course we learned to speak Hindi to be able to argue, give orders, bargain, accuse and terminate employment and throw in a dozen Hindi expletives.Imagine our horror when we were later to migrate to England, Canada and Australia and we no longer had servants to do our domestic chores.Who can remember looking at our first toilet brush and asking 'what do we do with this?'
We had to learn to cook, clean, garden, do the laundry and take the garbage out and look after the kids.
CHRISTMAS CAKE
The tradition of making your own Christmas cake was a sacred Anglo-Indian custom. Each family had a secret cake recipe, handed down from our grandparents. About a week before Christmas the local baker was contacted. He would turn up to your home with two very large terracotta bowls that looked more like satellite dishes.
One for the egg whites and one for mixing. Mum would dish out the ingredients. This was all mixed together under her watchful eye and distributed in to about dozen or so cake tins and labelled with your name on it. This labelling was all important. We did not want him to return that evening with someone else's cake recipe. Heaven forbid.
MUSIC/DANCE
Music, movies and socialising were high on the agenda. We loved a dance. Afternoon dance jam sessions were a magnet for the teenagers where we jived, jitterbugged, tango'd or just fox trotted. Many a lasting liaison was forged on the dance floor and today many of us are celebrating 40-year plus marriages. Our mums sat around gossiping and seldom took their eyes off their darling daughters.
I know I speak from experience. I met my wife at one such event and now 44 years later I still fancy her.
The Anglo-Indian railway and cantonment towns that sprung up around the major cities cultivated a unique social and industrial blend with a heartbeat. Their dances were legendary. At the drop of a hat the city cousins would jump on a train and travel for anything up to six hours to get to that up-country dance.
Many of our lives revolved around the biggest and best railway system in the world. And the trains ran on time! Today the Indian Railways transports over 5 billion passengers each year employing more than 1.6 million personnel. Between 1853 and 1947 we built and managed 42 rail systems. This was a legacy we can be proud of.
CONTRIBUTIONS
During World War 1 about 8000 Anglo-Indians fought in Mesopotamia, East Africa, and in the European theatre - three Anglo-Indians were awarded Victoria Crosses. In World War II they fought at Dunkirk and flew in the battle of Britain Guy Gibson of the Dam Busters was one such Anglo-Indian, and we were in North Africa, Malaya and the fall of Singapore. Merle Oberon and Juliet Prowse, Tony Brent, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cliff Richards are all Anglo-Indians.
The Anglo-Indians took India to Olympic hockey glory. From 1928 India won five consecutive Olympic hockey gold medals. In fact, when India faced Australia in the semi-finals of the 1960 Olympics in Rome, it was a unique occasion. The captains who came face to face were both Anglo-Indians, Leslie Claudius and Kevin Carton.
EDUCATION
English education played a major role amongst the Anglo-Indians. Anglo-Indian schools numbered close to 300 and were prized. They stretched from Bangalore in the south to the cooler northern hill stations of Darjeeling in the foothills of the Himalayas. Each was modelled on the posh English Public school system. We ran them as teachers and principals and to this day these schools are coveted across the sub-continent.
IDENTITY DILEMMA
The Anglo-Indian has always faced an identity dilemma because of our mixed origins. Europeans said they were Indians with some European blood; Indians said they were Europeans with some Indian blood. The world of Anglo-India vanished on August 15th 1947, when India became the largest independent democracy in the world. The British packed and went home. Over 300,000 Anglo-Indians remained. We felt apprehensive and abandoned. So we too packed our bags and began to migrate to Australia, Britain, Canada, the U.S.A. and New Zealand.
Many of you will remember the dreaded Income Tax Clearance document you need to leave the country and further faced the strict Indian foreign exchange regulations that allowed you only 10 pounds each. Imagine starting life in a new country with 10 quid in your pocket. Some had to leave behind their savings; others simply resorted to the risky black market loosing a 30% of your savings.
IDENTITY
The Anglo-Indian identity is disappearing. We have found new lives and merged into the mainstream. Our generation, sitting here tonight, who were born in India, growing up in the 40s thru to 60s, are possibly the last true Anglo-Indians. Look around you. Where is the next generation? Most of our children were born abroad and their connection to Anglo-India is very fragile. They have married Aussies, English, Canadian or other Anglo-Indians born outside India.
They prefer to be regarded as English, Australian or Canadian. Our grandchildren will assimilate and forge a new identity based on their country of birth. Putting aside history I believe we could regard ourselves as an exotic cocktail that had its origins over 300 years ago. We have matured and become a unique aromatic spirit, generously flavoured and very stimulating. We were a force to be reckoned with.
We were the shakers and the stirrers. Please pick up your glasses and toast your State of Origin and New Horizons.
Name of the speaker is unlnown. Article provided by Melanie Noakes
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Tracing WW II Ancestry
Written by Geri on 2008-06-15 11:23:21
Blubyard
1. If your family served in the the British Forces during WW II then go to the National Archives website and browse on their Family History help sheets
2. If you are doing Family History in Indian Subcontinent pre 1948 also look at Families in British India website
3. Also look at the web sites for Indian Cemeteries (John Kendall's site)
4. Also look at British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia Site
5. Also look at Commonwealth War Graves Commission site
Geri | Schedule 366 - Does not define Anglo-In
Written by Geri on 2008-06-15 11:13:54
May of us feel a separate defintion is needed to define the Global Anglo-Indian Commuity in the 21st Century.
Why ?
1. The definition in Schedule 366 refers only to the use of the term within the text of the Constitution of India. the constitution does not have jurisdiction outside of India iteself, therefore the definition does not define Anglo-Indians who live outside of India
2. We can choose how we wish to define ourselves and our families who were born outside of India
3. The Definition has only existed since 1950 and is a development of that contained in the 1935 Government of India Act.
4. The Community has existed since the 17th century but originally refrred to themselves as East Indian (derived from East India Company) it has only used the term Anglo-Indian to define itself since the late 19th Century. Its often mistakenly quoted as appearing for the first time in 1911 in the census.
5. The earliest definition of the Community is contained in the East Indian Petition that John Ricketts conveyed to London in the 1830's, to ask the British Parliament to re-instate the rights of the East Indian Community.
I will post a copy of the definition in due course!
Yes I know my spelling is bad... I can't get the spell check to work
Geri | anglo and proud to be one!
Written by douglasDm on 2008-02-06 22:38:59
i was born in jabalpur in 1942, my parents jess and marjorie d'mellow emigrated to england in 1963, my dad having served in the east pakistan police. he opted for pakistan in 1947.
i left pakistan in 1960 and went to england to join the royal air force.
i have always been proud of my heritage and proud to be called an anglo indian. i always refer to india as my home, despite the fact that i havent been back for over 47 years, much to the annoyance of some of my friends. i guess its in my blood.... | Written by lorenzo_pereira on 2008-01-25 19:02:21
this particular blog is reall very good , this would help the existing anglo indian community to remember our legacy and feel proud of it but its true that our identity is slowly vanishing and we are bieng suppresed these days which has raised many questions within my mind , and we anglo indians need to trust in our sweet lord JESUS CHRIST | Written by blubyrd7 on 2008-01-24 09:27:44
HI............
IT WAS REALLY NICE READING ABOUT ANGLO INDIANS FOR A CHANGE ON THE INTERNET.....
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS,DOES THIS WEBSITE HELP IN FINDING DETAILS OF PEOPLE/ANCESTORS WHO SERVED DURING THE WORLD WAR ll????????????
I REALLY AM TRYING 2 FIND MY FAMILY TREE..........
REGARDS
BLUBYRD | Winston Conrad deefholts
Written by winnie on 2007-12-20 13:57:18
Hello Chris,you asked if i was related to Margaret Deefholts,Well the Deefholts `s are related some how along the way,but she is a great lady to have as a relative,and the great work she has done ,dont you think so.
Cheers.
Winston | Written by michellemannas on 2007-12-09 18:13:42
It was really nice to read the history of the anglo indian community.. Thank you so much.. | m d
Written by gordon on 2007-10-01 06:50:30
its oct guys make it back to india for xmas | Written by gordon on 2007-07-28 08:37:15
hi | GOOD TO BE REMINDED
Written by gerrydroza on 2007-07-26 21:49:07
well i have a feeling its good to be reminded of our history and be touched reading this as i feel as an Angloindian we r doomed for extinction.the Govt is not bothered about us . we r a forgotten lot in India , iRequest all fellow AI to join hands and help our remaining few in India to keep the Angloindian flag flying high | Ooopsss
Written by coolbeanryan28 on 2007-07-25 11:44:25
Am trying to figure out how to use this stuff.. | Written by grishan on 2007-06-19 04:00:13
This is really intersting.... and its nice to knw our traits.....  | Wow!!!
Written by Candie on 2007-06-19 00:45:18
Hi..
this is really enlightening..
Cheers to all of you who have taken the time to create something so worhtwhile and significant...
I'm lost in the generation count.. but this is truly inspiring.. its like.. root strenghthening. | Indian Constitution definition of an Ang
Written by tony clements on 2007-06-13 03:27:29
Article 366(2) of the Indian Constitution defines an Anglo-Indian as "...a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purposes only" . Under this definition, the mestiços (mixed Portuguese and Indian) of Goa are also included.
null | mrs
Written by Patty Welsh on 2007-05-18 20:03:29
Patty&i have lived most of our life here in australia ,than in our birth country yes we are australian and appreciate this country for what we have achieved in our lives.Having said that we are proud to call ourselves true blue anglos , we will always be true to our selves as anglos.This is Buddy saying adios amegio and please feel free to contact me here in melbourne or in Dubai or in india in november 2007 bye for now and god bless | mrs
Written by Patty Welsh on 2007-05-18 20:03:27
Patty&i have lived most of our life here in australia ,than in our birth country yes we are australian and appreciate this country for what we have achieved in our lives.Having said that we are proud to call ourselves true blue anglos , we will always be true to our selves as anglos.This is Buddy saying adios amegio and please feel free to contact me here in melbourne or in Dubai or in india in november 2007 bye for now and god bless | Written by jdthmrtn on 2007-05-15 04:06:34
             Anglo Hey!!!! | Written by jdthmrtn on 2007-05-15 03:40:06
this is the first time I have really read the details about AI history..very interesting indeed. I am proud to be an AI and although have travelled abroad a lot in the past still like to come back to India my country of origin and proudly face the few AIs who are still important people, recognised in society, respected, hold similar professional positions like teachers, doctors, pastors, priests and influence the Indian to a better India,.Especially the quality of educatin is better than what it might have been had the AI disappeared altogether from India. Thank God for the British and their foresight. I have been to England on a visit twice and aim to go again. I am of dutch n Irish origin, third generation and instill the AI culture in the next generation..Hope and pray that all AIs do not leave India as there is still a pedestal for the longsuffering AI here.Jai Hind..Jai AI..
Judith MARTIN..
cell..9322403387..
Mumbai, India | Long Live the A.I.Commuity
Written by Bluetango on 2007-04-25 10:58:19
I have read all the articles and comments and I AM REALLY VERY PROUD TO BE AN ANGLO INDIAN.SALLY | Written by sarababa on 2007-04-17 17:08:30
So basically through what I am reading you all saying unless you are born in India I am not an Anglo-Indian, as I have a British birth certificate. Well its your duty to pass on your history to your children and grandchildren. To the outside world a person born in India are seen as an Indian. Religion comes second.
I am glad most people look on the positive things in life as life is short. | Winston..any relation to Margaret?
Written by chrisfrancis on 2007-03-16 12:18:57
Hi Winston,
Needed to ask - are you related to Margaret Deefholts?
Regards,
Chris | Winston Conrad Deefholts
Written by winnie on 2007-03-07 20:25:15
What Paul Jennings has written is very true,my family now are all living in Melbourne Australia,my Dad passed away 6 years ago,and my Mum 10 months ago,I am very sad to think what has happened now that we all Anglo Indians have migrated to different parts of the globe,even thoug we are all Anglo Indians and like one bog family,we have not many left to carry on the great name ANGLO INDIAN.I was born in Calcutta in 1944 and do remember a lot off my life there,playing in a band called Little Richsrd and the Small Frys,and then with the Heatwaves at Varios places one was Christ the king in park circus,and at Trincas on park street,i really miss those days,also the 31st december when the ships and the trains would sound there hooters as an old year comes to an end,and a new one starts,Those were the days my friends,God bless all the Anglo Indians,and i am proud to be one,even though i am now an Australian Citizen. | Written by craniberry on 2007-03-05 18:06:44
WE DO NEED TO BE REMINDED FROM TIME TO TIME OF OUR ORIGINS AND HISTORY. lOVED THE READ, AND WILL CONVEY TO ALL THOSE WHO QUESTION THE ANGLO-INDIAN IDENTITY. | Are Anglo Indians doomed for extinction?
Written by chrisfrancis on 2007-02-28 07:16:10
Readers!
Take part in this exciting topic! Reflects the sentiments of this article, specifically the last paragraph!! | Written by kevin russel jackson on 2007-02-24 22:40:10
If you intend to print material stating that the above speech was delivered by a Senior Anglo Indian, I assume you can also provide his name. The reason I ask is because I find the article partly fictious and if a name is provided it will or should be quantified.
Regards
Kevin | SPELLING, SPELLING!!!!
Written by Paul Jennings on 2006-10-09 12:27:35
WATCH YOUR SPELLING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WE ARE THE TEACHERS AND THE EDUCATORS IN INDIA ARE WE NOT???
WITH DEEP LOVE AND RESPECT TO ALL WHO MAY READ THIS, PLEASE RE-CHECK BEFORE CLICKING ON THE SEND TAB.
LOVE,
PAUL. | Very well said Paul~!~!~!
Written by monique on 2006-10-06 09:01:20
I am proud to say that i am Indian first then Anglo-Indian or Eurasian or whatsoever i don't care and don't want to waste my time debating on it. I will say this that we are all a mix afterall be it British, Irish,Danish,Scottish,French or Portuguese.Please remember we still remain a mixed culture. | ANGLO-INDIAN HISTORY
Written by Paul Jennings on 2006-10-05 09:17:57
This is a very interesting topic. I have read all the opinions and views of my brothers and sisters. I want you all to know that our Indian Constitution protects the Anglo-Indian Community. None of the countries where we have migrated extends us this privelege. We were a priveleged Community under the British Raj and I attest to the fact that we are still a priveleged lot. Please note we are not categorised into "Other Backward Castes", or "Scheduled Castes" or "Scheduled Tribes" status like many other small communities in India.
India was and remains a wonderful country for my Anglo-Indian People.
Maybe this is why inspite of so many better vacation destinations many AIs' opt to come to India.
I was born in Calcutta and I have lived here for 51 years. I will die here and my bones will be revered here long after I am gone.
As an Anglo-Indian I have no desire to emigrate to any other country. I love India.
Lastly... we still bake our Christmas cakes at home, our wives and daughters still wear dresses, jeans and yes even... mini-skirts!!, we have our jam sessions and our May Queen Balls,New Years Eve Balls on a grander scale then in the days of yore because every Indian worth his salt enjoys our festivals today,in the old days we stupidly kept them out. At Mid-Night Mass on Christmas Eve the Priest has to warn our Hindu and Muslim brothers and sisters not to come up for the Bread as they are not baptised. So you see we get non-Christian Indians even in our Churches!!!
Where I work, I am addressed as Jennings Sahib,my house servants do pranam to me(Touch my feet and touch their foreheads with the same hand as a mark of utmost respect).
When my father passed on, his funeral was packed with Anglo-Indians off course but more than the Anglo-Indian crowd were the Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsees and a whole lot of people whom I hardly knew. They carried my fathers body from the hearse outside the cemetary upto the grave on their shoulders. This is India my brothers and sisters and though I fiercely maintain my Anglo-Indian Heritage, I am equally proud to declare that I am an Indian first.
With deep love and respect for all of you who may read this.
Paul Jennings. | Some thoughts....
Written by dHb on 2006-08-27 23:00:11
Intersting comments made in some posts - I must say that it doesn't surprise me.
As Anglo-Indians (whether your surname starts with 'D' or not), we were never united before and I guess we never will. That's what makes us different from the regular Indian. The only thing that unites and identifies us as Anglo is our customs, our food and our traditions - who cares if there are moochers and backbiters among us? Every Anglo family had one one time or another - for that matter every race has some like people that. Who cares if someone's surname begins with a 'D' such as D'cruz or whatever? I know I don't. The goans don't consider themselves Anglos - it's just the ones who do have some english blood lurking in their families who do.
We can use this portal to reminense about times gone by, or we can continue with the same old s**t (sorry conrad) like before. We do have a lot to be proud of; and we do have a lot of wealthy people among us (who normally don't advertise the fact, but can you blame them?); we do have famous people among us - some are either ashamed of who they are or they are dead and forgotten (just check up on Anglos in the army, etc).
Today, all we have left is each other, distributed all over the earth. Our memories and traditions can continue only if we help each other remember (and help our children also).
To all you pukka Anglos who consider only British/Indian mix to be Anglos, let me tell you that I'm real sorry that you feel that way. Our beauty is in the mix; the blend of east, west, north and south. Who else can lay claim to having the strains of different races flowing through our veins like us? Consider this heritage - in the veins of my son and daughter flow the bloods of India, England, Scotland, Wales, Portugal, Nepal, Malay and Filipino - that makes them unique, just like the rest of us.
Sure there are bad apples, black sheep and whatever lurking somewhere in our past, but THAT'S WHAT MAKES US WHAT WE ARE!
I was born an Anglo and I'll die one, but before that I will pass on to my children their history and make them proud of who they are.
So should you.
Denzil | Written by winnie on 2006-08-20 04:26:44
How true this message above is,its only someone who knows the true Anglo Indian History.it is so amazing to read all this fantastic stuff by someone who is a true anglo Indian,because this is exactly how i was informed by my Parents when i was a young lad.everything is so true,we also used to make our own SALTMEAT,but my worry is where do the Anglo Indian Dynasty go from here,now there are not many left behind,after most went to Canada,England,Australia,etc:can someone please write to me and let me know how do they feel being Anglo Indian,because even though i am an Australian Citizen and have an Aussie passport,i am still Anglo Indian under my skin and proud to be one.
Regards and Fantastic Article to Melanie Noakes. | Written by winnie on 2006-08-12 04:17:02
I have written something about us disapearing Anglo Indian race.I beleive every word above that has been written here,my parents are Anglo Indians,and so are my sisters and brothers,and me,and proud of it,but our long lost clan The ANGLO INDIANS,are slowly disappearing from theis world.who is there now to carry on that familiar and beautiful Family...as we and are now family take on the new countries we have migrated to.
| Anglo Indians
Written by HeidiRego on 2006-08-09 09:36:38
When we got our Independence in 1947 the Constituent Assembly had prepared our Constitution and clubbed all people descended from Europeans in India from their Fathers side as Anglo Indians. Frank Anthony was a member of this Constituent Assembly which represented the voice of all eminent Indians under the Presidentship of Shri B.R. Ambedkar.So today all Anglos in India are people descended from the English, French, Portuguese, Dutch and several other Europeans. | Ref. Portuguese and AIs History
Written by athena on 2006-06-21 22:29:26
Ok.From what I understand, while it was true a few decades ago that the term AI refered only to ppl of British decent, this is no longer true. Altho' initially, ppl of Portugese decent, etc were referred to as firangis ( spellin may be wrong). When ppl started migratin, the respective communities were dwindlin. Foreseeing that this cud mean neglect by the Gov, Frank Anthony got a law passed ( don't know dtails) which stated that any person of European-Indian descent would be known as an AI.
Hope that helps, Henry. | Ref. Portuguese and AIs History
Written by Guest on 2006-06-05 03:06:48
Christine,
Firstly, there is no need for comments or remarks of 'back to school and your roots or to get my geography right'.I was only taught Indian and British history at school (Doveton Corrie)for the purpose intended. I am older and hopefully wiser now on the wider aspects of Indian history which includes the Portuguese and the French in India.
I am inded aware that the Portuguese held Goan for 450 years Until 1961. I am living proof through my mother's family who are of Portugues descent and my and father is of British decent thereby making me and AI as per the constitution of the British during their 200 yrs reign.
Yes, you are right about the fathers of Goans who could hold dual nationality if they so wish, but they need to register this with the government in Portugal and only applies to those born before 1961. There after they are Indian citizens only.
There is one other point to make and that is I am not sure if the Indian constitution pernits individuals to hold dual nationality as they have already labled those who left India post Independence as NRI( Non redident Indians).
I hope the topic will continue to be discussed with good intensions and not one to attract rude comments applied to what is intend to be a civil discussion. Ok Christine?
I look forward to any contructive contributions.
Henry H | Written by Guest on 2006-06-03 06:13:24
people who are born in Goa and their fathers are goan with names like Dmonte, Dsalva, D'silva D'souza Rodrigues are not AIs get your heritage straight. The Portuguese People who settled in Goa and their father are porguguese decent not AIs they were originally from Portugal who told you the AIs born from portugues decent are AIs get your geography right. I'm afaraid you need to go back to school and your roots. Christine | Now thats the way to talk about things!
Written by conradical on 2006-05-26 10:17:19
Let me butt in again and just give Henry H a pat on the back. Follow his example in having an open discussion.
| Ref to AI & Goan Community
Written by Guest on 2006-05-25 08:36:52
I have read on this site comment about AI's and their community. Having read various verision of our origins and I will submit mine at a later date. The Portuges settled in Goa in the 17th centuary and inter married the indiginous people of the day and were also known as Anglo Indians.(Thats why we have so many Portuges names in our community ie (D'Monte Fernandez,Rodrigues, Stephens etc)
My late mother was of Portuges decent and I am proud to say when asked of my heritage that I am an AI as my mother was Portuges decent and my father British.
My question is when did the change take place when the AIs from Goa became Goans...... and is it an offical Nationality???
Any research on the subject will be welcome.
Henry H | Written by Guest on 2006-05-24 08:06:16
To The Anglo Indian Community living in St. Thomas Mount and Pallavaram:
I can understand your agitation towards some of the comments made by our fellow AIs. In this day and age we should consider ourselves fortunate to be able to voice our opinions freely. It is everyone's right in whatever democratic country we live in. You have just as much right to voice your opinion as your neighbour. So, we AIs should have open minds and read/listen to the other person's view. There is a time to speak and a time to leave the other party to air their not so pleasant opinions which can hurt another person's feelings. What matters first and foremost is the truth, kindness and respect for others.
May I now comment on Goan surnames. I agree to the fact that there is no reason why they cannot call themselves 'Anglo-Indians' if there is one parent, i.e.mother who is of English linean descent.
I have recently returned from Chennai with very happy memories of the friendliness and support shown by AIs who live there.
JC
| Reply to Christine
Written by Raoul on 2006-05-24 02:39:27
Christine,
As a proud member of the Anglo Indian community , I have taken the opportunity to reply to your embittered post , First , if you want to be called Indian thats entirely your prerogative , Im willing to bet those Anglo's who know you will haeve a sigh of relief. Second , you say the Anglo's all over the World "are not united" I wellcome you to visit St.Thomas Mount or Pallavaram in Madras Im sure they will prove you wrong , in the same breath you say "they are ready to bring their friends down" this may be symptomatic with your immediate crowd of friends , all the Anglo's I know share each others sorrow and pain. Third , You talk about D'Silva's and D'Souza's not being Anglo's , are you a student of Genealogy ? I myself am a D'Rozario and let me tell you Im as Anglo as they come and I have the antecedents to prove that. Fourth , You talk about Backbiting is that not what you are indulging by the remarks on your post , so you seem to advocate it , and which Anglo may I ask , through the ages have shied away from competing in any healthy way. Fifth , whats this obssesion with Business ? What has owning a business got to do with being Anglo Indian ? Or do you judge an Anglo Indian by the measure of his wealth ? If you do then you are an extremely petty and superficial person. Sixth , you Say that "at least the Indians have morals" so are you implying that every Anglo Indian including your and are Parents etc are immoral , If so then please do call yourself Indian , As for the rest of us at this forum we are Anglo Indians proud of our Unique Culture and heritage. I pity the Anglo's who are your friends. Christine please note this site was founded by Conrad for us Anglo's to put our feet up and have a little fun , and laugh at ourselves as well. Criticism is wellcome but let it be constructive criticism. | The AI community
Written by tarini on 2006-05-22 05:48:59
Dear All,
I am not part of the AI community & probably someone you may all think unworthy of commenting....
But i must say this, "YOU ALL are a GREAT LOT....No one is perfect on this earth!!!
Perfection" has no place here!!
U cannot be responsible for what your ancestors did....and take it from me, they did NO WRONG!!!
Just be proud of what u are & all u've achieved. DO NOT be ashamed to tell your next generation/NEIGHBOUR "WHO YOU ARE" !!!
And most importantly, YOU ARE ALL "GOD'S CREATIONS"...each of you is CREATED and has a role to play on this earth...A role defined only by HIM.....so stop living for man & start living for GOD!!!
SO GO FOR IT!!!!
3 CHEERS TO ALL THE ANGLO INDIANS...HIP, HIP HURRAY!!!! | Language
Written by conradical on 2006-05-12 08:31:34
Guys, just a reminder, comments are great, keep them coming but keep them on topic and treat others with RESPECT and NO SWEARING
I've edited and deleted a few comments that have broken these guidelines.
Thanks.
Conrad | Written by Guest on 2006-05-07 05:09:27
I quote from the Speech given in Sydney:
"MOST OF OUR CHILDREN WERE BORN ABROAD AND THEIR CONNECTION TO ANGLO-INDIA IS VERY FRAGILE"...Are'nt Indian, Chinese, English born abroad in other countries, don't they still call themselves British Indian, Chinese and English, they do not get away from their identity, the only community you will find this in is the Anglo-Indian Community, sad to say, but this is a fact, because the parents of these children do not teach their children right, these parents suffer from an identity crisis, how can they teach their children any better.
Robin | Written by Guest on 2006-05-06 12:01:00
I have been reading all these coments regarding the AI's abroad, but none of you seem to have the courage to mention your names after each coment. The AI's all over the world are not a united community they are always ready to bring the anglo indians down they call friends they are all crabs as the saying goes, they are not business minded tell me who has got their own business in Australis, Canada and England. Most of the anglo-indian are so called one with names like D'souza, D'Brass D'silva Dasilva D'vaz who are really goan's not genuine anglo-indian. they are ready to backbite each other they come to your home to see what you have and try to compete with you. I rather say I am an Indian at least they are a united community and have morals and business people. What do you have to say about the truth I guess it hurts.
My name is Christine | Written by Guest on 2006-05-05 17:02:43
A comment made if that is history, what is the A.I Community today, it does not have history...get real man...
Incredible achievements how many yonks ago...??
Get realistic... | Written by Guest on 2006-05-05 16:58:40
A STATEMENT BY A SENIOR ANGLO-INDIA IN SYDNEY
You mention the "Great Cliff Richard, Anglo-Indian" what has he done for his community?
When he appears in live TV in London, he says "born in India" from European parents, he does not refer to himself on live TV in London as he is an "Anglo-Indian" nor in his books.
You talk about the "Great A.I Gatsbys" in those days, where are they now, do you want me to give you a breakdown of the well to do A.I's in London, the ones who live off the welfare and the ones who do not work, I can provide you with details if you want...where are the aristocrats you talk about in England, London, name me a few. I can give you most 4 who have written books about A.I's in London.
Blair Williams, from New Jersey, who funded the CTR (Calcutta Tiljallah Relief) wanted to meet afluent A.I's in London, ask him how many did he really meet.
What TV programmes do A.I's have in London?
What radio stations A.I's have in London?
What World Cups do A.I now represent in London?
What Olympics do A.I's now represent in London?
I can go on and on.
You know what Indians in London have all of these, we are a race that has already have no status, but a joke....
Sorry to say this, if you want to know about England and the A.I status here, I can provide that statistically....
I am an Anglo-Indian, my mothers father was English, my mother had a British Passport, as her father was English and she had to have this English Passport. Her mother an A.I her parents were both English serving in the British Army born in India, but I have to say how I feel. We live in London as a community, all I know is there is a lot of backbiting and a lot of people who scrounge of the Government......least I say more.... | Written by Guest on 2006-05-04 11:34:00
It is a sad state of affairs when a community (or even a person) lives in the past. They are avoiding the future. And I agree that most (not all) the AI literature dwells on the past. The world really does not care who you were, they care about who you are now. Typical of A.I's. Teach your children that they are A.I's and nothing else, just like other communites do, except the A.I's so I agree with that Guest who wrote in "It is so sad".
A.I's suffer with identity crises, they will not accept that they are A.I's but want to be something else e.g. English, Austrialian, Canadian, some even call themselves Maltese!!! A sad race I am afraid.
] | EDITED BAD LANGUAGE
Written by Guest on 2006-05-12 08:35:38
Hey you know what, this is what we all love to hear about our community, the good things .....of course the bad things are always there, lets keep all that for the house jokes and silly comments to have some fun over, but not publish it and make things look sick, because its disgusting when you read some (I SAID A BAD WORD) like that...the slang words, the way of talking and what not ...common give us a break man, lets all have something good to say and in this way everyone is happy..... but what is amazing is our history and our encredible acheivements...boy! its really astounding and I'm sure will never repeat itself.....well thats HISTORY.....so lets just keep priding in our past history and accomplishments and hope and pray our future generation will live up to what we Anglo-Indians stand for....Pride...Predudice and Justice......Amen. | Your speech at the A.I. Dinner Dance
Written by Guest on 2006-05-02 07:39:59
IT IS SO SAD, YOU WILL ONLY FIND THE IDENTITY CRISES WHERE A.I. ARE CONCERNED.
Anglo-Indians are also married to India, some very rich Indian men and I am afraid no matter in any nationality whereever you are born even their children have true identities e.g. Indian girls born in the UK still call themselves British Indian girls, not English, the same applies to the Irish and English, the only ones to think they are English, USA, Canadian have to be an A.I, as they are thought the word "you are white" the day they are born, but not accepted here in England.
Thank you I thought I would make my comments, as sometimes I get more laughs from the A.I community then any other community to think what they are...colour of skin brown, so are the children born of A.I's how can these explain their backgrounds to English, Indian and Irish and they laugh in their faces when they think they are something else besides A.I's.
Regards | Written by Guest on 2006-05-02 05:09:39
I congratulate the Anglo-Indian gentleman on the speech he gave in Sydney, Australia last year. It was informative and interesting.
Many Anglo-Indians like myself understand the history of our community, and can see for ourselves where it is heading in future, but in all fairness to our children and grand-children who were born in the UK, Australia, Canada or such like countries which have British connections, cannot expect them to follow in our footsteps as far as the Anglo-Indian identity is concerned. We as parents and grand-parents should allow them to choose their own identity due to their respective environments they live in.
There is another point I wish to raise, and that is the comment from a gentleman called Jeremy Vish.
I agree entirely with him relating to Article 366 an Anglo-Indian means.....
The meaning of the word 'Anglo' is English as stated in the English 'Oxford Dictionary'. Therefore, as I understand the meaning to be that persons of mixed ancestory of Indian and of either French, Dutch or other European ancestory, with all due respect to them, cannot classify themselves as Anglo-Indians. There may be many who will disagree, but as far as the Anglo-Indian identity is concerned, the truth remains.
JC
| A proud Anglo, Melbourne, Australia
Written by Guest on 2006-04-23 23:23:36
The above article has been read by many I'm sure but we knowing our roots is fine - it's for us to let our children, granchildren, friends and everyone we interact with know who we actually are. Here is Australia they always ask us "how come you speak such good english", we took a crash course on the plane when we got here!!!! They ask us if we speak "hindu" at home or what is our "mother tongue". Our convent education with Anglo Indian teachers is what has moulded us to be what we are besides a strong traditional family upbringing and I am proud to be an AI. Good luck to all the AI's the world, let the torch continue to shine and keep your kids in the know of their roots so that they can pass it on. | Carol M
Written by Guest on 2006-04-20 01:45:34
Wow!! Go us, goo dto see some AI History happening, I too heard about these supposed illicit affairs back then, good to get the thruth. I live in Melbounre, Australia, with mum and Dad and my brothers with their families, we were all born in Banagalore, and them moved to Dubai, before we headed to NZ, years later and now is Australia. The majority of people are uneducated in India and assume India is a Dead hole with people living on the streets, this makes a good history lessons to all of them who doubt us AI's. They should include thi sin history books for the kids, so they know. Oh well, Keep up the awesome work. | Written by Guest on 2006-04-19 17:16:54
Very enlightening article. Nice to know we were not the offspring of illicit relationships !!
Cheers..Chris | Written by Guest on 2006-04-18 05:34:41
Hey Hi Guys, That was a pretty good note from the author...Its not something that every anglo is aware of......Regards, Andy Rozario | Written by Guest on 2006-04-10 14:04:22
About the identity of anglo indians disappearing, So is every other race- very soon all we will see is children of asians and Indians all over the world - ( we have the highest population) | Written by Guest on 2006-04-10 13:20:33
| Anglo Indian History
Written by Guest on 2006-04-01 05:25:25
Hey People,
The above mentioned info is true just for the record
The East India Company called this pact a "Pokoda" | Written by Guest on 2006-03-29 00:37:08
Hi Conrad !
Its really nice of you to create a site like this...
I have created a user name and password but am unable to log into the site....
I am in Dubai with my wife and son and work for a financial solutions co...
The condensed speech about anglo-Indians given by the gentleman from Australia was fantastic...
I also have a doubt...Its given as in article 366 an anglo-Indian means a person whose father or any of whose male ancestors in the male line is or was European descent whose domiciled within the territory of India.
Correct me if I am wrong...An anglo-Indian should refer to his forefathers as
British and not European,bcoz you cannot call someone whose father is either French or Dutch or Portuguese an anglo-Indian.
Do keep in touch...and I will pass on the word about pepperwater.com
Regards
Jeremy
| Vish
Written by Guest on 2006-03-28 04:51:00
Hi all,
Good to read this Article.Its the fact happened. Dont know wethere angloindians feel happy about spliting all over the world or not. but the article is thought provoking. Yes they have to do some thing for making there own identity.Its really good to see such article | Anglo Indian History
Written by Guest on 2006-03-23 15:37:59
Thoroughly enjoyed this article. So many have been written - for some it was the best of times, for others, the worst, but my memories are wonderful. Is there an Anglo-Indian group, club, whatever, here in the States? Dawn Stuart Brown | I hear you!
Written by conradical on 2006-03-17 11:22:28
Where are you in the States? I'm from Atlanta and well, yes I get mistaken for being Hispanic sometimes. I've given up explaining. I just have fun with those who don't know.
I live with my American wife in Atlanta, it would be awesome if you were somewhere near, we could swap stories! Contact me by hitting the "Contact us" link at the top. | Born in the U.S.A.
Written by Guest on 2006-03-17 07:54:09
My aunt sent me the link to this website and this is the first time I've really read the history of Anglos! Both my parents are anglo-indians and I was born and raised in the U.S. and still live here--with my American husband and our 19 month old daughter. Everyone usually thinks I'm just INDIAN or maybe hispanic/portuguese. I then have to explain all the European and Indian roots. I'm printing this out now to take with me to work to enlighten my coworkers! | Is it true
Written by Guest on 2006-03-14 13:40:53
Some Indians made it clear to the Anglos' that most of the Anglo-Indians came about because of illicit relationships between the British soldiers and Indian servant women. On reading the above report it's been made clear to me that it wasn't the case.
Cheryl | Enlightening
Written by chinazsal on 2006-03-11 02:14:14
Hey but u 4got to mention us in sports..and what if ur mom is an anglo and not ur dad?? r u still an anglo??..but cudos..we are a gr8 community..peace | hey
Written by mel on 2006-03-10 07:35:28
hey this is a cool place to hang out . | Awesome!
Written by conradical on 2006-02-22 13:06:57
Thanks a lot Melanie. I've received a lot of positive feedback for this article.
It's one of the most interesting reads on Anglo Indian history. |
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