It’s World Anglo-Indian Day today.
There aren’t many AIs (one way the community likes to refer to themselves) left.
There were roughly 500,000 at Independence; the community hasn’t been counted since the 1941 Census; estimates of current population range from 150,000 to 400,000.
There aren’t many AIs (one way the community likes to refer to themselves) left.
There were roughly 500,000 at Independence; the community hasn’t been counted since the 1941 Census; estimates of current population range from 150,000 to 400,000.
Many AIs migrated to Commonwealth countries in the years after Independence. The diaspora — mainly in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA — is estimated to be around 500,000.
The community organises a world reunion every three years, moving between diaspora countries and India.
The community organises a world reunion every three years, moving between diaspora countries and India.
It was at one such event — I believe in New Zealand in 2001 — where it was decided on 2 August as a day of celebrating Anglo-Indian culture, which became World Anglo Indian Day.
In India, you’ll find AIs concentrated in what were railway junction towns, the former Presidencies, and hill stations.
What is an Anglo Indian? The Constitution defines it thus:
What is an Anglo Indian? The Constitution defines it thus:
In practice, other communities of part-European descent — Goans with Portuguese ancestry, Armenians, folks with French or Dutch ancestry — do not call themselves Anglo Indian.
AIs have, as per the Constitution, reserved seats in the Lok Sabha (Article 331) and in some state legislatures (Article 333) (similar to reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in some states (Article 332)).
Frank Anthony, lawyer, educationist, community leader, and member of the Constituent Assembly, made the case that since AIs did not have a state, and were too small and geographically spread out to get a community member elected to represent community interests …
… in parliament or state assemblies, AIs needed reserved seats.
This was supposed to be for ten years, but like the similar reservations for SC and ST seats, has been routinely extended.
This was supposed to be for ten years, but like the similar reservations for SC and ST seats, has been routinely extended.
These seats are in the gift of the government in power, so nominees tend to be supporters of that government. The only times this makes the news is when there are floor test with tiny margins. I wrote about this the last time it happened. thehindu.com
Incidentally, Derek O’Brien is the first-ever MP not to be nominated under these constitutional provisions. So, for the first time, there are three AI MPs. George Baker and Richard Hay, both BJP members, in the Lok Sabha, and O’Brien in the Rajya Sabha.
But, back to the community at large. Though ‘large’ may not be the correct term, since there are so few of us left. : )
You’ll find a lot of AIs still in railway towns, because that was one of the occupations that the Brits preferred to have them in.
You’ll find a lot of AIs still in railway towns, because that was one of the occupations that the Brits preferred to have them in.
You’ll also find clusters in hill towns, many of them descendants of Brits who liked India too much to leave post-1947. Like Ruskin Bond’s and Allan Sealy’s families.
Oh yes, there was one attempt to create a sort of Anglo-Indian mini state; a town, more accurately. McCluskieganj. Among others, former Granta editor Ian Jack wrote about in his book Mofussil Junction. An extract here: outlookindia.com
And here’s another piece by @shamikbag: livemint.com
Filmmaker Paul Harris also made a documentary and photo book about McCluskieganj, Dreams of a Homeland.
Filmmaker Paul Harris also made a documentary and photo book about McCluskieganj, Dreams of a Homeland.
Several film stars are/were AI: from Helen and Cuckoo in yesteryears to more recently, Diana Hayden and my pal @DenzilLSmith.
On the global scene, Cliff Richard, Engelbert Humperdinck, Vivian Leigh.
On the global scene, Cliff Richard, Engelbert Humperdinck, Vivian Leigh.
There were also significant contributions from the community to the armed forces.
In sports, Indian hockey had quite a few AIs.
Many diaspora AIs contributed to Australian hockey: tribuneindia.com
In sports, Indian hockey had quite a few AIs.
Many diaspora AIs contributed to Australian hockey: tribuneindia.com
A lot of history and context, famous AIs, and further reading, if you are interested, here; wikiwand.com
Special mention of one person who has done a lot to document and preserve Anglo-Indian cuisine: @bridgetkumar. In books, and on her site — bridget-white.com — and blog — anglo-indianrecipes.blogspot.com — where I go frequently, because I didn’t learn from my mum when I could have.
Oh, here’s Frank Anthony on a postage stamp.
And a list of links ot Wikipedia pages of famous Anglo Indians. inspectorrex.net
And @damrita reminded me of a fabulous photo book by Dileep Prakash, The Anglo-Indians. There’s a web site: angloindianarchives.com and his blog dileepprakash.blogspot.com and the book is on Amazon amazon.in
Paul Harris (the film-maker mentioned upthread), also has these shorts on YT.
On AI cuisine (featuring ball curry, coconut rice and devil chutney, traditional AI Sunday lunch): youtube.com
On AI cuisine (featuring ball curry, coconut rice and devil chutney, traditional AI Sunday lunch): youtube.com
And Anglo-Indian-isms. youtube.com
Oh, pepper-water — a cousin of rasam, I would say — is another quintessentially AI dish. There used to be a forum, back in the day called Pepperwater. The site does not seem to be active now, but here are some archived versions. web.archive.org
And @SloganMurugan points to this film on Kolar Gold Fields, an AI stronghold. youtube.com
A correction. @iThunderbolt reminds me that in 2019, the 104th Amendment to the Constitution effectively ended this reservation for AIs, while extending the reservations for SCs and STs.
I joked then about it ending my chances of ever being an MP or an MLA.
I joked then about it ending my chances of ever being an MP or an MLA.
(Lots of folks know that Derek O’Brien was once a quiz host on TV, but many younger people may not know that he has a quizzing legacy: his father, Neil O’Brien, was a legendary quizmaster, besides, among other things, also an MP, in one of the nominated seats in the Lok Sabha.)
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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention @senaparna’s brilliant film 36 Chowringhee Lane, with a stand-out performance by the late Jennifer (Kendall) Kapoor. imdb.com
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