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What´s New | SEPTEMBER 2012 NEW WEBSITE FOR THE CALCUTTA 2013 A-I REUNION - PLEASE SCROLL TO LOCATE From: fibis-chairman@fibis.org To: INDIA-L@rootsweb.com Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 [INDIA] FIBIS Meeting in Manchester FIBIS comes to the North of England. This is to inform you that FIBIS is holding an ´out-of-town´ meeting in Manchester on Saturday, 22nd September 2012. It is to be held at the "Museum of Science & Industry" in Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP, and the programme includes: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. A Morning Surgery at which our ´experts´ will try to answer your ´brick-wall´ questions on researching your ancestry in British India 1.30 - 2.30 p.m. "How to research your ancestors in British India" - Peter Bailey, FIBIS Chairman 2.30 - 3.15 p.m. "From Boarhurst to Bangalore: The story of James Bradbury, Woollen Cloth Dresser who Sought Fortune in India" - Geraldine Charles, FIBIS Trustee 3.45 - 4.30 p.m. "Researching Armies in British India" - Peter Bailey, FIBIS Chairman 4.30 - 4.50 p.m. A general Question & Answer Session. 5.00 p.m. Meeting Closes. Further details are on our website: http://www.new.fibis.org/archives/617 and ´How to Get There´ on http://www.mosi.org.uk/visiting-us/where-are-we.aspx Attendance is FREE of charge to anyone, Members and non-Members - although those intending to come must please inform our Membership Secretary, Emma Sullivan, that they are coming on Membership@fibis.org We hope that this will appeal to those unable to attend our London Meetings. (Note that the museum itself will appeal to Railway Buffs, including the Pakistani Locomotive!) Good Hunting! --- Peter Bailey, Chairman Families in British India Society, www.fibis.org -------------------------------------------------------- CALCUTTA REUNION artisticphotography5@gmail.com Hello: Artistic Photography would love to capture for all time the excitement, emotion and enjoyment of your reunion functions. Artistic Photography provides free professional photographers at reunion functions. Typically one or more of our professional photographers attend your function and photographs those in attendance (eg in groups, couples). During the function the photos are developed and then sold towards the end of the function in a photofolder for a very reasonable price to interested persons usually from a table in the foyer. No one is obligated to purchase any photos. In addition, Artistic Photography will give the organisers free of charge any stage & venue shots and provide them as high resolution jpeg files on a disc in the week following the function. After the event Artistic Photography can also place the photos on a public gallery where they can be viewed by everyone or in a private web photogallery so that only those connected to the event can view them. Please check out our online gallery at: www.artisticphotographysydney.com.au our recent event photos in our public galleries. Our private galleries need access codes. Please do not hesitate to contact me. Sue Keevers Artistic Photography tel: 0402 189 354 ---------------------------------------------------- DOROTHY DADY´S PHENOMENAL PICTORIAL JOURNEY OF ANGLO-INDIANS AROUND THE WORLD "SCATTERED SEEDS" IS NOW IN e-book FORMAT. PLEASE LOOK FOR LINK IN MARGARET DEEFHOLTS´ WEBSITE, ADDRESS BELOW: http://www.airc-deefholts2011.com/ dorothy@scatteredseeds.co.uk wrote: HELLO ALL... I apologise for sending you this somewhat impersonal email message but as usual I have had a manic last minute rush to get this digital edition up and running by yesterday!!! Admittedly, I have been switched off for time and it has been a long journey to recovery for me... but, I hope all of my Scattered Seeds are in good health, although I know of few who are no longer with us. A little while ago I started to think about the events that led to my illness, and decided that all should not have been in vain. Over the past couple of months I have worked towards putting together an eBook that will finally do what I had set out to do five years ago, to have our voices heard... so here it its: http://www.scatteredseeds.co.uk HAVE A QUICK LOOK AT THE FREE PREVIEW AND IF YOU ARE PROUD OF OUR ACHIEVEMENT PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD... BUT, EITHER WAY I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU....Best Wishes, Dorothy dorothy@scatteredseeds.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends, A splendid plan by Anglos In The Wind; please refer to Harry MacLure´s message below. This would be extremely enjoyable, including an exclusive trip from Madras to Vailankanni Church by air-conditioned coaches). We will be there. Madras City Besides places of historical interest such as Fort St George built on no-mans sand, St Mary’s Anglican Church where Robert Clive of India was married, beaches, nearby holiday beach resort, monuments, holy places, museums, getaways, wildlife parks etc, one of the important landmarks in Madras city, a must see, is “St. Thomas Mount” at the southern most end of the city. It is a small hill feature about 300 feet high. It was on this hill that Thomas Didymus, (The Doubting Thomas) one of the disciples of Lord Jesus Christ, was killed in the year 72 A.D. and this hill had been named after the Apostle. After completing 7 churches in Kerala, St. Thomas crossed over to the Coromondal coast and landed in Madras where he lived for some years. His home was a cave on a small hillock. This cave is preserved till date at a place called Little Mount which is about 3 KM from St. Thomas Mount. St. Thomas also built a chapel with his own hands in Mylapore, which is about 6 KM from Little Mount. After his martyrdom, the Apostle’s body was buried there. And today stands on St Thomas’s tomb a big church of Gothic architecture called, “San Thome Cathedral”. With my warm regards JOE BAILEY ---------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Joe, Greetings from Anglos In The Wind! I´d like to let you know that we are planning on organising an Anglo-Indian Get-together in Madras. The tentative dates and events are: Thursday 17th January 2013 - Evening - 4 p.m. - Meet & Greet - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Jam Session / AI food festival Friday 18th January 2013- Morning - Madras City Tour (by AC coaches) Evening - Music Concert with A.I.. musicians and singers Saturday 19th January 2013- Morning - Hockey Matches Evening - Grand Dinner-Dance Sunday 20th January 2013- Morning - Thanks Giving Service / Mass Afternoon - Biryani & Bingo Monday 21st January 2013- Departure (early morning) by AC coaches from Madras to Vailankanni Church (2 nights & 1 day stay - accommodation provided) Tuesday 22nd January 2013- Vailankanni -- Wednesday 23rd January 2013- Departure (early morning) from Vailankanni to Madras via Pondicherry (with a short City Tour of Pondicherry) Please Note: Venues and price structure will be announced in due course. Limited numbers only, hence prior booking/confirmation/payment essential. The names and contact details of our Representatives taking in Bookings in Australia, Canada, USA, the UK etc will be finalised and announced shortly. Thank you. ………Warm regards, Harry MacLure, Editor-Publisher, Anglos In The Wind The International Magazine for Anglo-Indians - A-77, (2nd Floor), 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar East, Chennai - 600 102, India. - Phone: +91 44 4208 0058 E-mail: harrymaclure@yahoo.com / aitw@hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ THE CHARZI TOURS By: Bob Francis I have just completed my book, based on our journeys through India by car/motorbike, covering the period 1951 to 1967. These tours criss- crossed the country from Kashmir to Cape Comorin and from Bombay to Calcutta. The title is THE ‘CHARZI’ TOURS and the blurb on the back cover tells what it is about. INDIAN JOURNEYS ON A SHOESTRING ‘A fascinating glimpse into the India of long ago as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young family, who set out to explore their world and enjoy the wonders of an ancient civilization ,long before tourism in India became popular. With very little money but a zest for travel, they managed to visit far flung places, meet fascinating people and fill their lives with unforgettable memories. They would like to share some of these memories with you.’ I am attaching the first chapter of the book to give you an idea as to what to expect. I have also had the book reviewed by a local Book Club and I include extracts from their review. Quote:- "It was an absolute pleasure to read your stories.They are beautiful, funny, emotional, inspired...really wonderful.What adventures you have had !" and It was so entertaining. You have the ability to "paint a picture" without the use of too many adjectives. Speaking for all of us we felt like we were there with you,.......Chapter Four had us all laughing.....you do have the ability to tell a good tale!" APPROX. EXCHANGE RATES...$1A=$I.06US...$1.05..CAN...0..66BP...0.75 EU...$1.3NZ...RU 48.8. The book is priced at $16A with free delivery in Melbourne and Geelong. Payment Cash or Cheque. NOTE:- APPROXIMATE PACKING AND POSTAGE TO WESTERN COUNTRIES........$8 PACKING AND POSTAGE TO N.Z AND INDIA .................. $6 PACKING AND POSTAGE IN OZ........................................$3 Approx. two weeks for delivery If you would like to place an order for one or more copies contact me on:- bishopbob71@hotmail.com or Ph 03 52505052. An ideal, inexpensive and ‘different’ Christmas/BIRTHDAY gift for A SpeciaL Friend. Regards to all, ………..Bob Francis ---------------------------------------------------- THE LAST ANGLO-INDIAN & LIZZIE AUTHOR: Quentin Adams [qadesign@indigo.ie] Synopsis A boy is born in North Eastern India in 1938. He is the second son of Anglo Indian parents. They live as their earlier generations have, in a community of Anglo Indians created by the East Indian Railway Company. Their lives are happy, stable and they enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. The story tracks the boy’s ancestry down his mother’s maternal line, for five generations. An Englishman and his new wife emigrated to Colonial India in the 1870’s. The story tells of how he eventually fathered a family of Anglo Indians. This is followed through the generations and describes typical Anglo Indian life in the railway communities of the Raj. In the same year a girl is born to a couple in rural County Wexford, Ireland. She is the fourth surviving daughter. A boy born before her didn’t survive his first year. The family live in a small rented cottage. It is a young family, who like many all over rural Ireland, have a hard, but happy family life. Electricity, running water and main drainage are still decades away. Her parents and close relatives have always lived in their immediate neighbourhood. The men have traditionally worked as farm labourers. The life and times of rural Ireland and the extreme hardships many people faced in those days has been very well documented elsewhere. No attempt is made to explore that here. However, when the girl is nearly six years of age an event takes place that devastates her life and that of the entire family,--------- forever. The lifestyle and environment of these two families are vastly different and in very different parts of the world. This is a narrative about these two people. It tracks their lives from birth to their late teens and beyond. The story also explores their ancestry back several generations. The Anglo Indian race started as far back as the early seventeenth century. All the European Colonists were battling each other to claim territory, wealth and power in India and the East Indies. Many of these traders fathered children with Indian women, and mixed race people were the result. As time went on and the British presence in India developed, the Anglo Indian population grew. The book develops this story in more detail. A little known sociological fact is the destruction of the Anglo Indian race. It ended in 1947, when India became independent. Being neither Indian, nor British, the future looked bleak for them. The few anglo Indians who remained in India are being assimilated by the indigenous population and the majority by far, who left India are being assimilated all over the world. The two storylines play out separately until fate or chance brings the two face to face. While a large part of the book is based on fact and real people, the balance and much of the detail are imaginary. Therefore it is a book of fiction. The telling of this tale is also a little unusual. The time line moves to the millennium. Our Anglo Indian is on a sailing trip in the Caribbean with his best friend. They have been friends for thirty five years and he has been promised this story since they met. Time and life have always put off the telling, but now they have all the time. ------------------------------------------------------- WHITEFIELD DIARIES: Saythu and Jaaga Media Center present their latest project - Whitefield Diaries. This is a series of six short films that are each about seven mins in duration. Part of a larger idea titled "Neighbourhood Diaries", these short films aim at documenting personal histories as well as the neighbourhood´s tangible and intangible heritage and socio-cultural centres that make Whitefield special. The current films are an outcome of Krupa’s project to document Whitefield’s intangible heritage. In turn this was a continuation of an earlier project to establish the significance of the settlement and its built heritage. The oral history project followed on from the earlier work, based on the growing awareness that Whitefield’s uniqueness lay not just its planning and buildings but also its rich store of oral history. Thus by funding Phase I (built heritage documentation) and Phase II (oral history documentation), INTACH UK chapter provided an opportunity to document and present the story of Whitefield. urther, as legislation continues to be absent, recording intangible heritage is crucial to remembering a place and its people. For more contact – info@saythu.com & archana@jaaga.in THE NEIGHBOURHOOD DIARIES MISSION: Neighbourhood Diaries is a collaborative project conceived by Krupa Rajangam of Saythu (www.saythu.com) and Archana Prasad of Jaaga (www.jaaga.in). Based in Bangalore, the two of them initially collaborated on an open-to-public initiative by Max Mueller Bhavan – the Bangalore City Project. During this project they realised the importance of neighbourhood histories. Of involving the residents of a locality and engaging them in discovering secrets, truths and novelties that made their neighbourhood special. VENUE: The Whitefield Club, Saturday 10th Sep - 6pm to 7.30pm. PROGRAMME: Introduction to the place and project - Krupa Rajangam Screening of 4 short films of the Diaries ´Whitefield Day´ - Sean Lawrence (announcement of exciting events planned by the residents) Refreshment break Screening of 2 remaining films Panel Discussion - focusing on issues raised in the films and what the community can do towards the same. PANELISTS: Mr Asvathnarayan - a retired IAS officer, he is presently Convenor of the Karnataka Chapter of INTACH. Michael Ludgrove - is Curator Collections, the Royal House of Mysore. Of Anglo-Indian origin, he is a descendant of D S White who was instrumental in establishing the settlement at Whitefield. Deepa Peck - long term resident of Whitefield, she is married into the Peck family - one of the original settlers of Whitefield. She is also Treasurer of the Whitefield Settlers´ & Residents´ Association, which was established way back in 1905. Subramaniam Vincent - one of the newer residents of Whitefield, he is also uniquely positioned in his role as co-founder of Citizen Matters, a publication dedicated to city affairs, community and culture. Clemence Barret - is a French artist and filmmaker. She has made many documentaries for French TV Channels like Canal + and Arte. She is actively collaborating with Jaaga Media Center directing short documentaries. About Jaaga: (www.jaaga.in) based in Bangalore, India, Jaaga seeks to nurture innovative endeavors by providing space, core infrastructure, and a diverse social environment. We explore new ways of using pallet rack shelving to create a social and collaborative place for a wide range of forward thinking people. We offer co-working for creative minds, mentorship to small tech start-ups + Fellowships and Expert Collaborator opportunities to those interested in the intersection of art, activism and technology. About Saythu: (www.saythu.com) Is a heritage conservation cell based in Bangalore. It aims to reconnect people with heritage and actively initiates community awareness and outreach programmes besides undertaking conservation projects. The films Circle Without Circle - An introductory episode with different people´s take on Whitefield - what the name and place means to them. We see it as a preamble to the other films. Church Tales - Maggie, long term resident of old Whitefield, reminisces about her personal link with Memorial Church - once the centre of village life. She narrates stories and anecdotes related to it and tells us of the imminent threat of demolition that looms over this important cultural hub. The Past is a Foreign Country - J E Giddens, one of the oldest Anglo-Indian residents of Whitefield, talks to us about his take on the change and transformation of Whitefield. He is pragmatic, some one who prefers to live in the present rather than worry about what might have happened. Time Capsule - Vivian D ´Souza, another long term resident talks about Waverley - once the village Inn and now a lone bungalow in the midst of the onrush of newer developments. He shares his struggle to maintain the place and its character because for him man is defined by his past. Those Were the Days - Christa Moss narrates her nostalgic poem on Whitefield. She and her husband Lionel, express their regret that the ´good old days´ of Whitefield are gone. The Whitefield Tea Party - Our contributors and key residents of the original settlement of Whitefield get together to discuss this series of films and the neighbourhood´s future, given the rapid urbanisation that it has seen and will continue to witness. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret Deefholts, Travel Writer, Editor, Photographer: Travel Writers´ Tales Author: Haunting India e-mail:britishcolumbiaairc@gmail.com Hi Folks, Just a heads up about a few new items on our website at www.airc-deefholts2011.com - specifically three rather nostalgic articles about the Community that recently appeared in the Delhi edition of the Hindustan Times. Look down the left hand column for the links. I´m not sure how long they will remain "live" so if you´d like to take a look, you should try to do so within the next week or two. While you´re there, do browse through some of the other articles on the site; I´ll be changing the contents at the end of September. For those of you in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland - just a brief reminder about our karaoke party on Friday August 26th at the Urban Peppers restaurant in Burnaby. Starts at 6.00 pm. The buffet costs $15.00 p.p. and their well stocked bar will be open for business. If you need any more information, please call me at 604-593-0065. Best………..Margaret ---------------------------------------------------------- Name: Stephanie Cullen. Country: United Kingdom. Email: sac513@york.ac.uk I am a third year student at the University of York studying History and Politics, and for my undergraduate dissertation I am researching the experiences Anglo-Indian migrants in London from 1947-1960. My interest in this subject is close to home, coming from an Anglo-Indian family myself (my Grandfather and his family lived in Calcutta before moving to south London). In particular, I am interested in looking at the Anglo-Indian identity to see what makes it distinct. I think this would be a fantastic opportunity to discover more about a largely unknown part of history and would really appreciate your, and your members, help. I have attached some questions which I would be grateful of you could pass on to your members. I would be thankful for any responses from the Association. I look forward to any replies. Many thanks, ….. Stephanie Cullen Dissertation overview My dissertation objective is to explore the idea of identity among the Anglo-Indian community which emigrated and lived in London during the period 1947-1960s (or therea. I want to look at culture, heritage and traditions whilst trying to discover whether Anglo-Indians had a distinctive identity. Questions – Please answer as fully as possible Name: ......Date of Birth:………. Place of Birth: 1. When did you migrate to Britain? 2. What were the main reasons for emigrating? 3. Did you have any expectations about what Britain would be like? If so, what were they? 4. When and where did you arrive? 5. Where did you live? Please give an overview of your time in London during 1947-57. 6. Did Britain meet any expectations you had? 7. How much did the reality of Britain differ from your expectations? 8. What was it like arriving in British society? 9. Did you notice any differences or similarities with your old home? 10. Did you live in an Anglo-Indian community or near many other Anglo-Indian migrants? If so, please describe. If not, what was the surrounding community like and any reactions towards you? 11. Did you experience any negative attitudes towards you or the Anglo-Indian community? If so, describe. 12. How would you describe the concept of ‘identity’? 13. What would you say is distinctive about the ‘Anglo-Indian’ Identity? 14. Did you consider it important to keep an Anglo-Indian identity after migrating or did you try and fit into British? If so, how? 15. Would you consider there being any Anglo-Indian customs and traditions? If yes, please describe. 16. Describe, as much as you can, the any Anglo-Indian cultures. Thank you for your time. Type of Information: Other (academic research) --------------------------------------------------- E-Mail: jm392@le.ac.uk. Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 Mr. JASON MURPHY United Kingdom I was wondering whether there was any way to contact Anglo-Indians through you who may have lived in India or Burma during British colonial times who would be willing to answer some questions via e-mail or letter for my dissertation. I am a geography student at the University of Leicester. Many thanks ……. jason murphy ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE WEBSITE FOR THE NEXT ANGLO-INDIAN REUNION TO BE HELD IN KOLKATA IN 2013, HAS BEEN SET-UP AND IS AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION, ETC. Please cut and paste the address below into your internet browser. http://www.aireunion2013.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------ From: tom.pullen@dragonfly.tv Contact from Anglo-Indians.com Thu, 28 Jul 2011 Dragonfly TV -- 120 -124 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3SQ, United Kingdom Email: tom.pullen@dragonfly.tv Hello, We are making a brand new family history programme for Channel 4 here in the UK all about finding people from all around the world with distant British relatives. We are looking for people in India to participate in our programme and I came across your website. Would it be possible for you to post something about our programme? Let me know what you think. Regards, Guess the Relative team Does your family have British Roots? A British TV company is making an exciting new TV show featuring British families and their long lost Indian relatives. Dragonfly TV is currently looking for Indians who would like to travel to Great Britain to discover long lost relatives they never knew existed. They’ll get to experience British life and stay in a magnificent home and meet new members of their family along the way. If you think you may have British ancestors and would like to find out more visit www.guesstherelative.tv today! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Anglo-Indian Recreational Club of B.C. Website Hi Folks, Our brand new Anglo-Indian Recreational Club website is now up at http://www.airc-deefholts2011.com It´s a very simple, uncomplicated static site (I´m new at using some of the features of the software) but its been fun to play at setting it up. Hope you´ll drop in for a visit from time to time - and please do pass on the URL to any friends you think might like to come by for a "dekho"! Any comments? Please e-mail me at this address and I´ll do my best to figure out suggested improvements. Cheers, .. .. .. Margaret.. .. .. margaret deefholts [britishcolumbiaairc@gmail.com] ------------------------------------------------------------------ The FIBIS ´Spring Open Meeting´ is to be held at 1.00 p.m. for a start at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday, 21st May, 2010 at Hughes-Parry Hall, University of London, 19-26, Cartwright Gardens, London WC1H 9EF. Further details, plus a map of how to get there, is available on the FIBIS web-site at http://www.new.fibis.org/?s=Open+Meeting The two presentations to be made are: 1. "The British Army in India - Soldiers of HM 12th Foot, the Suffolk Regiment", By Gwyn Thomas, Curator of the Suffolk Regiment Archives 2. "The Devil´s Wind" - A privately but professionally made film on the Indian Mutiny, 1857-59. The film features a visit to India by Philip Geddes and Lieut-General Sir Richard Shireff, plus the latter´s son, to visit the places known to their illustrious ancestors at the time of the Mutiny. (Among the places featured is the cemetery of Morar, close to Gwalior, which FIBIS Members visited during our 2007 tour.) The film will be introduced by Philip Geddes, its Director. ADDITIONALLY, on that morning - and at the same location - for any visitor with brick walls to jump in their ancestral research, a few experienced researchers will be available from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. - on a less formal basis - to answer questions and to offer advice. In response to many requests, we shall focus for part of the time on obtaining full benefit from the FIBIS web-site. All interested are welcome to attend - and NO CHARGE will be made. We do, however, request that those wishing to attend would please advise Emma Sullivan, FIBIS Membership Secretary, on Membership@fibis.org as much in advance as possible, but in any case before Sunday, 15th May. Looking forward to seeing as many of you as can make it Good Hunting! Peter Bailey - Chairman Families in British India Society www.fibis.org ---------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian Social Services for Anglo-Indians (CSSAI) is an organization that raises funds, primarily in Canada, to support Anglo-Indians in need, living in the Indian subcontinent. Through Government recognized Anglo-Indian charities, CSSAI supports: Seniors with Pensions rations and medical assistance; and we assist children and youth to obtain their Education by providing funds as required for School, College or University fees. We provide all the necessities including books, uniform shoes and where possible a place to study with educational support if needed. We believe that educating our Youth & Children is the most effective means of helping our community. We send our Donations through Save a Family Plan, an organization registered in Canada and USA, which supports government registered Charities in India. CSSAI have an agreement with SAFP that 100% of all funds Donated and those Funds held for CSSAI will be for only Anglo-Indian Charities in India. CSSAI informs SAFP annually as to the amount of Funds to be sent to the assigned Charities. They are also informed of the disposition of the Funds each Charity receives. This ensures that: All Donors will receive Tax Receipts (Canadian and American Donors) • SAFP does an AUDIT in India of the Charities funded as to the utilization of the Funds , to ascertain if they have been used as directed • These Charities are also individually audited annually by the Indian Government. All the Charities CSSAI support submit their Annual Financial statements and detailed disposition of the Funds received from CSSAI to SAFP. Any Funds sent directly to SAFP will be used for the numerous other Charities in India that they assist, and will not necessarily go to specific CSSAI charities.SAFP received donations of $5,149,007.00 CDN in 2010. Their mission statement states, in part, that “100% of your donations reach the poor”, and their Annual Financial statement corroborates this fact. Details of the Charities we support, will give you an idea of the assistance we are providing to the members of our community in need. Donations by Cheques to be made out to_CSSAI—Canadian Social Services for Anglo-Indians. -------------------------------------------------------------------- CANADIAN SOCIAL SERVICES FOR ANGLO-INDIANS DETAILS OF CHARITIES SUPPORTED CAISS - KOLKOTTA EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT • Tutorial Class centres--------------2 Learning Centres • Student Funding--32 day scholars, 35 Boarders, 12College, 5 Teacher’s Training College (Complete Fees & other school expenses, books, uniform & travel). In process Funding for 8 Boarders at Entally Convent • Educational & Sensitization programs supported by CSSAI SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDED • Pensions, Rations& Medicals –(26 pensions x Rs 500, Rations x Rs 150 . -194 medicals Rs 100) monthly • Seniors Medicals Assistance (Hospitalization & Illness) (41 adults 2009/2010) • A special donation for dental work for Seniors and youth from a very generous donor through CSSAI. Smile Cares –CSSAI Projects - CHENNAI • Pension for 20 Senior Citizens • School Fees For 20 Students (In Process 30 additional students support) • Collage Fees For 1 Student • Eyeglasses for Seniors & Children (RS.500/- X 15 Recipients) • Medical Seniors & Children (RS.430/- X 50 Recipients) • Monthly Celebration for Senior’s and Children’s Birthdays • Christmas Celebrations Helping Hands -CHENNAI • Pensions for 8 Seniors + Christmas celebration Bombay Educational Society – Mumbai • Devlali School – Full fees for 17 Boarders Bangladesh • Funding for Univ.Students (4) Additional support for 9 students in process We want to ensure that there will be funds available for the support of CAISS and other Anglo Indian charitable organizations for the next 20 years. We, the members of CSSAI feel that our efforts along with that of other Charitable Anglo Indian organizations are making an improvement to the quality of life of impoverished Anglo Indian seniors. Our youth are also availing themselves of the Educational opportunities offered to become competitive in the employment market in India’s burgeoning economy. THERE ARE STILL FAR TOO MANY SENIORS, YOUTH AND CHILDREN, SOME OF WHOM ARE IN ABJECT POVERTY, WHO NEED ASSISTANCE, AND WE CONTINUE TO SOLICIT YOUR SUPPORT THAT THEY MAY IMPROVE THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS All funds received go entirely to help our community. There are no funds deducted for administration or other overheads and the Charities in India are run by Volunteers in the true meaning of the word. They devote their time after a working day, to help both the ill, children and those in need in our community. So please help us to help our A.I community in the Indian sub-continent CSSAI requests your attendance at our ANNUAL CSSAI DANCE at the FORUM Banquet Hall on May 14 2011 and Patronize our Food Stalls at the Anglo-Indian Assoc. Food Fair on June 19, 2011 at the Etobicoke Legion Hall (on Irwin Rd). Thank You-- The CSSAI Committee “Helen & Laurie Noronha; Jeanine & Desmond Gonsalves Louis DeCruze; Clive Joakim; Brenda & Cliff Smith; Yvonne Hart & June Thomas”} We are united in our commitment as a group of Anglo Indians who have joined together, to promote, develop and satisfy the needs of our community in the Indian sub-continent ------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-autobiography-of-a-wanderer-in-england-burma/15060511 Hi All, This book has just been released. The Memoirs were written by former Mayor of Rangoon, Charles Haswell Campagnac. Those who have read Herbert Stark´s book, "Call of the Blood", may remember seeing a reference to "Young Campagnac"....the Anglo-Indian grandfather of the author of the Memoirs? An interesting description of this mysterious young man is in here. The memoirs are a fabulous read, containing a lot of previously unpublished material relating to John Simon (Simon Commission), the Round Table Conferences, and some fascinating snippets relating to some of the most prominent people of the era. The bit where CHC and his wife are presented at the Royal Court in England, is pure gold, as is CHC´s description of his brief career in the Music Halls of Paris. A delightful peek into the lives and times of a wide range of people in India, Burma and abroad. Cheers, Lynne. :)) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ashley Shemain, 4616 Royal Lakes Drive, Flowery Branch, GA 30542. USA. Phone: 770-881-7013 Email: ashemain@gmail.com Dear Mr. Payne / Ms Rebeiro: I am writing to announce that I have written a historical fiction novel on Anglo-Indians during the British Raj. It is called Boarding School Boy and uses as a backdrop, boarding schools, railway colonies and the Anglo-Indians that lived and went there. I feel uniquely qualified to write about that since I am a product of that environment, having grown up in India and immigrating to the US in 1966. Here is the link to my website that has all the information on the book, including a seventy-page preview of the narrative, a quick summary of what the book is about and how to order it in different parts of the world. Link to Boarding School Boy: http://ashleyshemain.com/ PLEASE CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR WEB BROWSER Ashley Shemain, Author -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 -- From: denise@cal.vsnl.net.in Subject: Amanda Taylor Dear friends This is an appeal to your generosity for Amanda Taylor, who has been diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia & needs Rs 350,000 for her treatment at the R N Tagore Hospital. I have an appeal letter from the parents with a copy of the estimate from the hospital, which I can send you should you need a copy. Amanda´s is a very deserving case. Her father was laid off work because the college was unable to grant him indefinite leave (he worked as a clerical staff in the back office of an Engineering College in Burnpur), on 14 January 2011, days after Amanda was diagnosed. The family has spent their small savings already - Amanda was in hospital from 3 January to 8 February and has been readmitted this morning for another round of chemotherapy. Besides the hospital cost, Amanda requires blood transfusion and blood platelets which cost between Rs 450 & Rs 750 a unit, which is a major additional cost. FYI, early in the treatment, Amanda had to be given between one and four units of blood or platelets a day to raise her Haemoglobin count from (an alarming) 2 to 10, to facilitate chemotherapy. Besides this, her oral medication costs runs into thousands of rupees every week. Her parents are now appealing for funds to see the child through her treatment. Her mother is a housewife. Amanda is a single child. What is heartening is that the Oncologists treating her have put it in writing that she has a good chance of being cured. Amanda turned 13 on Valentine´s Day. Please email me back urgently if you would like to make a contribution, stating the amount. I will be grateful if you can send an appeal to your friends and try and raise whatever you can for Amanda. Any contribution will be most welcome. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely -- Denise (Denise O´Brien +919831259882) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: wahid@barcroftindia.com Subject: Royal Collectors Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:34:30 +0530 Hi there, I am a journalist working with an international news agency called Barcroft Media. We are headquartered in London with our bureaux in New York, New Delhi and Melbourne. We supply news and features to all the major newspapers and magazines across London and dozens of other outlets across the globe. We also co- produce documentaries for major TV players like Discovery, National Geographic and Channel 4. We are highly interested to write a story about the Royal Memorabilia collectors before the royal wedding of Prince Williams in March. Could you please do me a favour by sending me the contacts details of any person you know who collects royal memorabilia like relics, mugs, vases, coins, photos, videos etc Else could you suggest any person who might be knowing about it or who can anyways help in finding such people in India. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, Kind Regards, Wahid --- Syed Wahid, Reporter, Barcroft India J-18 Lajpat Nagar 3 New Delhi 110024. India wahid@barcroftindia.com Office: +91 11 4653 2118, +91 11 4653 2114. Cell: +91 99 711 33 066 --------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Mr Payne and Ms Rebeiro, Many thanks for your kind response to my email. Your help is much appreciated. The questionnaire is attached in addition to a short introductory letter. I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Should you require any further information please let me know. Kind regards, Liola Lee Questionnaire 1. Who were your parents/grandparents/great grandparents? 2. Do you know what their occupations were? If yes, what were they? 3. Do you know which of your forbears originally went to India? If yes, who? 4. If the answer was yes to the previous question was there a connection with the British Army or the East India Company? If there was do you know the regiment/rank or in what capacity they worked for the East India Company? 5. Do you know anything about the journey to India of the original emigrant? 6. Do you have access to any original documents ie; letters/journals/diaries that might give some clues to what life was like for these early settlers in India? Alternatively, perhaps stories of these earlier ancestors have been passed down orally. 7. Who was party to the first mixed marriage/cohabitation, and who was it that the original settler married if known? 8. Do you have any idea of the original religion of the Indian woman? Was she Mohammedan, Hindu, Sikh or other? Or, perhaps it was your male ancestor that converted/ ‘crossed over’/’went native’ to some degree. 9. What does it mean to you to be Anglo-Indian or to have Anglo-Indian roots? 10. Have you always been aware of being Anglo-Indian or having Anglo-Indian ancestry? 11. Did you do your own family history research? ie; compile your family tree yourself OR was the information you know about your ancestors passed down from one generation to the next. 12. Were you ever told stories of an Indian Princess in the family? 13. What did you or your older relatives think about partition and independence? 14. Were there any problems with bureaucracy when coming to Britain following partition and independence? OR at any other time either before or after partition and independence? 15. Do you feel Anglo-Indians are ‘the vanishing remnants of a bygone era’ as suggested by writer Blair Williams? 16. Do you have any colleagues or friends with Anglo-Indian ancestry that may be prepared to answer these questions? If yes, please can you forward this questionnaire to them for completion. Dear Sir/Madam/Ms, My name is Liola Lee. I am writing a book and would appreciate it if you would kindly consider answering a questionnaire that I have compiled to aid my research. If there are any questions you would rather not answer or do not know the answer to that is fine. Please only answer what you are comfortable with. Any information you provide is much appreciated. My aim is to contribute to a greater understanding of the significance of family narratives of origin, family myths and memories as history with particular emphasis on the Anglo-Indian community. I further hope that my book will, when published act as a springboard into further study by interested parties into this part of Indo-British history therefore adding a third dimension to what is often seen as two dimensional. If you are able to scan any old photographs/letters/diary entries that you feel may assist me in my research that would be much appreciated. I am interested in those individuals/families who know about their ancestry and adapted to life in Britain and other parts of the commonwealth and all that might have entailed and how being Anglo-Indian may have affected everyday life if it did at all. I am also interested in those individuals/families which for one reason or another may have hidden their heritage. I am also interested in those who only discovered Anglo-Indian ancestry by accident when researching their family history. What if any are people’s thoughts on that? Actor Rupert Penrys-Jones discovered Anglo-Indian roots when making a television programme and was thrilled and excited. Please forward your response to: liola1@ntlworld.com Many thanks for your time and assistance!! Liola Lee ---------------------------------------------------------------- V Sagar, Cambridge Lodge, 1534, Sector 11-D Chandigarh, UT. 160011, India Phone: +91 172 320 7227 Email: tbclodge@rediffmail.com Greetings from Chandigarh in India! I had the opportunity of mixing around with the Anglo community way back in East Africa. My father worked for the East African Railways and after retirement we moved to India. I was very interested in music and formed a band in Chandigarh in 1965. We used to travel to Calcutta and jam around with Anglo-Indian friends there. Trinkas in Park Street was where we used to end up for jam sessions. I immigrated to the UK in 1968; lived in East Ham, Manor Park & Ilford before moving to Cambridge. I returned to India for settlement. In East London again I had the opportunity of jelling around with the Anglo-Indian Community and we used to attend the Anglo-Indian Dances at The Lycium Balroom. We also used to go to the Sailors Club in Canning Town for dances. Many Anglo-Indian saliors would come to these dances and on many occasions I had the opportunity of singing with the band singing Cliff, Elvis & Jim Reeves. The reason for this letter is, I am writing a Coffee Table Book for my family and would lile to add this part of my life in London. If any visitors reading this, and happened to live in East Ham or Manor Park from 1968 to 1980 -- I would love to hear from them and it would be wonderful to go back down the memory lane. I sincerely hope something will happen from your end. God Bless & Love to all Sagar ---------------------------------------------------------------- ANDREW KERR, Polar Gate Lodge, Stanley Downton, Stonehouse, GLOUCESTERSHIRE Gl103qx, UK Email: andrewkerrpmc@tiscali.co.uk Information: I have written and assembled a photographic account of the Kashmir Rifles fighting in East Africa during WW1. GO TO: (cut & Paste) see www.icanneversayenoughaboutthemen.com It tells the story of extraodinary fortittude as only 20 men were well enough to pass the medical board. Would like to draw attention to the book - many thanks. ----------------------------------------------------------------Bert, Here´s an almost must have for your Anglo-Indian collection: a link to a new book on Ruskin Bond. It´s author (an Indian prof at Presidency College in Calcutta) spent nine months in Fresno, California in 2007-08 as a Fulbright scholar doing research on it. Please spread the word, I´m helping him promote it. PLEASE TYPE THIS ADDRESS INTO YOUR SEARCH BOX. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Locating-the-Anglo-Indian-Self-in-Ruskin-Bond/Debashis-Bandyopadhyay/e/9789380601045/?itm=1&USRI=debashis+bandyopadhyay John Walke, 180 W. Bullard Ave. Clovis CA 93612 ------------------------------------------------------------- Owen Thorpe, Anglo-Indian Author residing in the United Kingdom has published a new book THE LION AND THE CHAKRA. Owen has been added to the FAMOUS ANGLOS and has a great website where you can also purchase his books, please go to www.owenthorpe.co.uk/. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Ms Rebeiro It´s good to hear people taking an active interest in our Anglo Indian community. I admire your website and use it to gather information about other Anglo Indians , both in the UK and worldwide ! Keep up your good work ! regards Andrew D´Cruz --------------------------------------------------------------------- PAUL HARRIS´s movie soon to be released Very interesting to watch. Details are listed below. For HD format http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oefi0KfYnKA For Standard Format - (SD) if you have a slower connection but the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2mbVozA6OY Thanks for the promotion on your website. Regards, Paul Harris --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Friends, Please log into this new website www.aiintouch.in( Anglo´s In Touch ) exclusively for AI´s to network with each other. This is an initiative of a very dear friend - Eric de Rozario to help the community get closer and stay connected. Please do check it out. We will be inaugurating this website at the annual AGM to be held in Delhi next week. always for the community - TYRON ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dear OOGians, Mon, 27th Sep, 2010 Our beloved alma mater, Oak Grove School will be 125 years in 2013. To celebrate this great and important event, some of us are planning to hold a Reunion of Old Oak Grovians world wide. The initial thought came from Sydney Wordsworth during the very nice & enjoyable OOGians´ Reunion in Sydney, 16 to 18 Sep, Please see below: "Yr 2013: Oak Grove School -- 125 years: The ‘wheels’ were set in motion to organize a five-day OOG Reunion in Nov, 2013 to celebrate the School’s 125 years. This was by Sydney Wordsworth in a brilliant and inspired moment during the train journey to Penrith on the 16th instant !]. Venkat agreed to follow up on this and shall have an initial discussion with the School Principal, Mr Anurag Tripathi on the 7th Oct, 10." The initial thoughts are to have this in Nov, 2013 - over five days & nights; after the Diwali holidays; and to organise events not only in School but also in Mussoorie. After returning from Australia, I had a discussion with with Mr. Anurag Tripathi, OG Principal. He is most enthusiastic about this proposal. I was to meet him on the School Sports´ Day on the 7th Oct, 10. However, the Sports´ Day is postponed to after the 17th Oct because of very heavy continuous rains. I´ll possibly go there at that time. You comments and suggestions are requested and would be most welcome. We should all ensure that the celebrations would be on a grand scale. With regards. Venkat Gandikota, OG-1961 Venkat Gandikota; 501/2, Sangrila Apts; 31, Bund Garden Rd; Pune 411 001 India; Cell: +91-98225-99328; Home: +91-20-2612-5356 & 4002-4315. Skype; [VGandikota]; email: [gandikota.v@gmail.com] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 Subject: A request - Documentary film about the story of Jazz in india From: Findingcarlton@gmail.com Hello ! I am making a documentary film about the Story of Jazz in India . It is a labor of love and my passion for jazz and is an attempt to capture times gone by and the musicians and atmosphere of a lost era. Calcutta in the 50´s and 60´s was the jazz center of India and is a signifcant visual element of this film. I am trying to locate photos and archival memorablia of that time, particularly photos of the grand night clubs of the city - Scherezade, Princes, Winter Garden, and the musicians and entertainers. THe film trailer is available at the link below. I would very much appreciate being put in contact with any one you think might have a scrapbook of these memories..I would be particularly appreciative of locating any jazz musicians from Calcutta who might still have scrapbooks of their tenure. many thanks Susheel Kurien, New York, NY +1 212 350 9398 Watch the trailer http://www.youtube.com/user/findingcarlton Read the blog http://bluerhythm.wordpress.com Susheel J. Kurien ------------------------------------------------------------------------ More Voices on the Verandah Call for Submissions From the laughter and song of an animated gathering of friends, lounging on the verandah in the balmy evening air of early winter, to the clink of glasses, the pop of champagne corks and the shouts of celebration on a snowy New Year�s morning, the voices of Anglo-Indians are many, their experiences diverse. Many have stayed in India, while others have adopted new countries and cultures. Each has a story to tell�some are factual, while others are true in the way that only fiction can be. And, for all this diversity of personality, context and experience, the shared background of Anglo-India, and its cultural underpinnings, unite them all. We are seeking stories, poems and creative non-fiction about the Anglo-Indian experience. CTR Inc Publishing invites your submissions of fiction and creative non-fiction, of prose and poetry. Entries may be set against a backdrop of Anglo-Indian society�as it once was, as it stands today or as it may develop in the years to come�and must feature Anglo-Indian subjects, though not necessarily exclusively. We hope to capture the unique ambience of Anglo-Indian society in all its diversity, providing readers with insight into the culture and story of the Anglo-Indians, via the many different forms of creative narrative. Submissions that are selected will be compiled and published in an anthology tentatively entitled More Voices on the Verandah, slated for publication by mid-to-late 2012. An honorarium of $35 will be paid for each piece selected. Submission Guidelines: � Submissions must be limited to 3000 words or fewer. Please note that submissions exceeding this length will not be considered. � The short stories, essays, anecdotes, memoirs or poems may be humorous or serious. We are looking for unique and fresh perspectives on Anglo-Indian society and people. Without limiting the possibilities of content, articles may feature a turning point in life arising out of choice or fate, the immigrant experience, some special (or typical) aspect of festive celebrations, as well as narratives that feature, as a backdrop, the traditions of hospitality, aptitudes, inclinations, and world views of Anglo-Indian culture, in all its variations. � With due respect, a submission should not consist entirely of a eulogy to a loved one. However, biographical/episodic sketches of an unforgettable Anglo-Indian character (funny, sad, fierce, strong-willed, or influential) that are woven into the content of a broader article are acceptable. � At our sole discretion, we will not consider material that is obscene or slanderous. � Articles may be written in the first person or third person. The writing style should be meticulously polished but easy to read, and entertaining enough to provoke and sustain interest. � All articles must carry the full name, postal address, e-mail and fax/phone number of the author. All submissions should be in Times New Roman, 12-point font (please, no fancy fonts or headings). If sent as an e-mail attachment, this should be in Microsoft Word. In order to ensure the authenticity of the attachment (as a way to distinguish from virus-embedded attachments that are often circulated), the subject heading must contain the words: �More Voices on the Verandah.� E-mailed articles should be sent to blairrw@att.net � Entry is not restricted to Anglo-Indians. Anyone may participate in More Voices on the Verandah, provided that the content depicts facets of the Anglo-Indian experience, and features Anglo-Indian characters or aspects of the culture. � There is a limit of two articles per writer. � All submissions must contain original material that has not been previously published or accepted for publication prior to June 30st 2011. � Every submission, whether via e-mail or by postal communication, must be accompanied by a cover letter incorporating the following statement (please cut and paste): The author agrees to grant CTR Inc Publishing first publication rights for this article, on the agreement that, following publication of More Voices on the Verandah, all publishing rights will revert to the author. The author also agrees that the editors of Voices on the Verandah II will have the right to edit material in order to ensure textual cohesiveness and uniformity of syntax, style, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. � As a courtesy, authors will receive a copy of the edited material for their review. While the editors, in their sole discretion, may accommodate minor textual amendments as suggested by an individual author, this is a one-time prerogative, and no further changes will be entertained. � This invitation will be valid from June 1st 2010 to June 30th 2011. Submissions received after June 30th 2011 will not be considered. Every submission will be acknowledged. However, those that do not conform to length restrictions, or omit the above statement, or fail to comply with the above guidelines will be rejected without further consideration. Thank you for participating. As in the case of Voices on the Verandah, The Way We Were, The Way We Are and Women of Anglo: Tales and Memoirs(targeted for publication in August 2010), we look forward to publishing an outstanding anthology on Anglo-Indian culture. Blair Williams, CTR Inc Publishing, June 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: kmallik@yahoo.com Subject: A REQUEST Hello! I�m an alumnus of St. Patrick�s School, Asansol (India). I represent its alumni body and we are putting together a 35-member volunteer Alumni Council. We are looking for a Regional VP (Aus-NZ) who will help us unearth more alumni in that region (traveling isn�t necessary, just love for the school, being on the Internet, and a willingness to help). Given the large numbers of our Anglo-Indian alumni in Australia, we would prefer that we select an Anglo-Indian alum for that role. Could you either forward this message to as many SPS alumni as you know, or provide their contact information? We would be indebted. Regards, - Kinger Mallik �90, President St. Patrick�s Alumni International ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: RE: Urgent request for help from the Anglo-Indian community May 17,2010 -- TSullivan@ap.org This is Tim Sullivan. I�m an American journalist based in New Delhi. I am writing because a little boy�s life is at stake, and the Anglo-Indian community may be able to help him. I have a close friend in Washington DC whose four-year-old son has leukemia and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. Because Devan is of mixed ethnic background, they cannot find a match for him. His mother - writer Indira Lakshmanan - is of Indian origin, his father - photographer Dermot Tatlor - is Irish. It occurred to me that some in the Anglo-Indian community would share Devan�s general genetic traits - which would make them more likely matches. Anyone could be a match for Devan - but the numbers are better for people of mixed South Asia/European ancestry. Testing to see if you match is easy in many of the countries with large Anglo-Indian populations - including Canada. The Canadian donor website is at: http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/E_ub mdrPKG-intro?OpenDocument&CloseMenu Information on Devan�s situation, and how to get tested, is at www.matchdevan.com. If this appeal can be spread within the Anglo-Indian networks, I would be extremely grateful. It may save Devan�s life. Below is Indira�s appeal for help. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Best Tim Sullivan, Bureau Chief, South Asia The Associated Press, New Delhi FOR CANADA If you go to www.matchdevan.com, then go the button that says: See local organisations here. That has a connection to the donor information in many countries, including Canada. Or if it still doesn�t work you can call: 1-888-236-6283. That�s the number for Canadian Blood Services, which handles testing for bone marrow. One thing to point out: many marrow donations today are actually done through a system called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell - it is similar to donating blood and does not require surgery. Devan�s chance for a donor match is not looking very good, because of the lack of donors among people of mixed ethnicities. If there are any Anglo-Indian organizations or networks that you�re aware of, I would deeply appreciate it if you passed on my message. Or feel free to send me the contacts and I�d be happy to take care of sending on the email. On behalf of Devan�s parents: Thank you so much. Tim ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sun, 28 Mar 2010 Subject: Can you help us please? From: thomas.abraham77@gmail.com I went to school in the Nilgiris at a school called Laidlaw Memorial School /St. Georges�s Homes in Ketti and I am looking for alumni from that school. I have lived in Atlanta, Georgia since 1988. I edited a newsletter for the alumni from 1979-1986. We have a website for the alumni - Laidlaw Alumni/Old Georgians- www.oldgeorgians.com, one for the school - School website- www.laidlawschool.org and now on Facebook. I manage the Facebook page. Can you post the following where you deem appropriate please? Did you go to school in Ketti? Check this link please. We are on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laidlaw-Memorial-SchoolSt-Georges-Ketti-643215/103935156393 1210+ people joined us since July 1st, 2009. Experience Ketti in the photos we have posted here�.... Please register at www.oldgeorgians.com. This is the Laidlaw Alumni website. We have 1000+ people registered there. We need to compile a master database of all old students from Laidlaw/St. George�s by batch. School website - www.laidlawschool.org Our school and our Principal -Winston Gardner were on the cover of Anglos In the Wind recently. I was honored to review a copy today when an Old Georgian from UK- Glenn Rapson was visiting Atlanta. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Lynnette, The St Francis de Sales school at Nagpur has been Alma Mater to many an A.I boy. Many of these boys must be regular visitors to your website I�m sure. This year the old school completes 140 yrs of its existence and I was asked to compose a piece on the decade that i was a student there. I am attaching the same which kindly feel free to edit and put up on your website, time and space permitting. Thank you Lynette. With regards, Noel St.Francis de Sales IN THE DECADE OF THE 80�s BY: Noel Dias, Nagpur, India noeldias3@rediffmail.com Most of my classmates left S.F.S after their S.S.C I stayed on for another 2 years and completed my H.S.S.C. This in turn perhaps qualifies me better to compose an essay on S.F.S in the decade of the 80�s. The 80�s had an angry young man tear across cinema screens all over India---Amitabh Bacchan. Tall & lanky he had a deep baritone voice & his personality captivated his audiences. In S.F.S there was the late Mr. F.X.Anthony who had a similar personality, an equally deep voice & a height to match. He had us spellbound during his math�s class. What he taught us we never forgot. There was another teacher who also taught us math�s, however she was just the opposite in structure. Slim, dainty and ladylike she was Mrs. Sally Perreira. Though thin and frail no one dared play the fool in her class. She never used a cane or raised her voice; a stare from her was enough to control a bunch of hooligans. Like the legendary Mr. Jack Collaco she passed away while still in service, they both remained teachers to the very end. Biology was taught by Mr. Shirley & in class he never sat down. He taught the subject while pacing up and down, his hands folded behind his back. He never taught from a textbook, with his in-depth knowledge of biology he could write a couple of textbooks. Physics was taught by Mr. Daniel James, the Bruce Lee of S.F.S. He used his knuckles, palms, fists and anything else available to thump the subject into our heads. His method worked wonderfully and none of us failed in his class. Physics was also taught by the perfect gentleman Mr. Hassan, who always had a broad smile----till he lost his temper. Seldom did he lose his temper but if he did, woebetide the boy who faced his wrath. Fire and brimstone rained from Mr. Hassans fists. The next day it was all forgotten and he�d be back smiling at us. Chemistry was taught by Mr Rathi and Mr Jaleel. Mr Jaleel was soft spoken but a terror to anyone who tried any stunts in his class. Marathi was taught by Mr Deshmukh, Mr Bhagdeo & Miss S.Waghmare. Miss Waghmare never whacked us; she had her own improvised torture methods to keep us rascals in control. She would wring our earlobes till we jumped up and down in agony or worse still she�d pull our sideburns till we yelled for mercy. The worst of Chinese torture was pale in comparison. To escape this we behaved ourselves in her class. The government of India has spent a lot of money on inquiry commissions to find out if Netaji Subash is still alive. This could have been avoided if the logic of our Hindi teacher Miss Ved Kumari Leekha was used. She always reiterated that had Netaji been alive he would have joyfully returned to his beloved motherland since nothing could have kept Netaji away from independent India. Simple & logical was her thinking! We had another Hindi Master Mr. Kalbhor & he would perch himself on his desk while teaching us the subject. He often called us �Gadhe Bacche� and his punishment consisted of a couple of hard slaps followed by the agonizing Murga. Not all our teachers were the hard hitting type, Mr�s Uma Kapoor & Mr�s Bharti Deshraj had the grace, poise and elegance that could have easily earned them a place in Bollywoods hall of fame, however they chose S.F.S over Bollywood. History was taught by a man of few words, the compassionate Mr. Joseph. The only time he got worked up was when he taught us the folly of erstwhile rulers because of whom India ended up a colony of Britain, had these rulers been advised by the likes of Mr. Joseph we never would have been colonized. While Mr. Joseph taught us history, geography was taught by a lady who lived through one of the most devastating event in the history of the 20th century, Ms Patsy Menzes. Teacher Patsy as a young girl survived the bombing of Rangoon by the Japanese forces in 1941 during W.W.II. Later she & her family members fled Rangoon, trekking all the way to India on foot to escape the Japanese ground invasion. After growing up she joined S.F.S as a teacher in the 60�s. She often traveled overseas and returned to describe places she had visited. We listened with rapt attention; after all it was during the pre T.V era, a time when the world hadn�t shrunk as it has done these days. All that Sir Almas required was a piece of chalk and a blackboard & in minutes he would have a masterpiece up there, he taught us drawing & if we distracted him with our antics he�d turn around and say �Ganga ram---- look here�. While he was engrossed drawing on the board some boys would play the drum on their desks, to them he�d turn around and say �You band master-----look here�. Our physical education instructor was Mr Sakherphekar & he was built on similar lines as that of Dara Singh, he encouraged us to build our bodies & this had us confused because other teachers encouraged us to build our minds. On the Kanhan Bridge etched deep in a stone on its side wall (towards the railway crossing end) are the words �Donald Menasse 1937� clearly visible. It was done by the late Mr Menasse when he was a young boy. Mr Menasse was the school supervisor and a powerhouse of energy. Never once was he seen sitting down or resting. He was forever moving around the corridors, always in top gear. Because of his dynamic personality all who knew him called him Major Menasse. The academic year began in June & the first event was the inter house football competition, followed by the English and Hindi elocution and then the inter house quiz. Before the Diwali vacations we had our terminal exams. After the Diwali vacations there was an event we hated - drill practice in the fore noon sun in preparation for the annual sports day. Soon after the sports day in December we had an event the whole of Nagpur waited for -- the S.F.S schools annual concert. It was a showcase of our talent and the genius of our teachers both going together hand in hand and what we put up was nothing short of a spellbinding display. After that the school would close for Christmas and reopen in January. From then on it was preparation for judgment day, the final exams. In the 80�s S.F.S had two principals the first was the late Rev Oswald deSouza, a postgraduate in psychology. He forever emphasized the importance of physical exercise in a child�s life. After school in the evening he�d be on the playground coaching the schools football team. Whenever the school team played a match he�d be on the sidelines cheering the team on & after every the match, the team was treated to a Dosa, irrespective if they had won or lost. Fr deSouza handed over charge to the Rev Maurice Fernandes & he introduced the electrical maintenance and fisheries sections in the junior college, renovated the park, installed an intercom system and had the basketball court cemented. Both these priests were assisted by the Shashi Kapoor of S.F.S, the handsome and forever young looking Rev Ivan Lobo. Without his cassock he could easily pass off as a college student. Some years later he took over as principal from Fr Maurice. S.F.S in the 80�s produced students that have done the institution proud internationally. Vijay Francis is a leading physiotherapist in Chicago, Vineet Malhotra and Parag Kumar work for financial institutions in Hong Kong and Tokyo respectively, Debrata Roy is a scientist with the TIFR, Supantha Bannerjee is a learned professor of English. Ranjit Pande, Debashis Bhattacharya, Sanjay Naidu & Sanjay Pramanik are eminent doctors. Vinay Mohota, Faiz Vali, Girish Dewani, Naushad and Rukshad Bhagwagar are prominent businessmen, Debesh Lahiri, Prateek Mahant and Manish Naidu went on to become commissioned officers in our armed forces. Sandeep Chauksey did his B.Sc and B.Ed while Lincoln Majumdar earned a B.E in electrical engineering, they both returned to teach in their Alma Mater. This list of achievers is not complete with just these few names & there are many more. In my opinion the name that tops the list is that of Kushroo Poacha. Kushroo founded the Indian blood donor�s website, one that classifies the blood group of donors and stores the data thereby saving valuable time. This website has saved many lives especially in times of calamities such as the Gujarat earthquake, when a lot of blood is required at short notice. Its usefulness in times of catastrophic disasters is immense. Lastly there is an incident from the 80�s that I would like to add since it is linked to my family. In 1987 a young teacher joined the pre primary section. Because of her childish looks & short stature she was frequently teased �Under 16, Under 16, Under 16�, by high school boys who were a few years younger, but double her size. The teasing continued till it became unbearable. One fine day when she could take it no more she lashed out with the umbrella she carried and whacked all in the group with all her might. The thrashing was long and intense & to the onlookers present it resembled Samson bashing the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. This was something those boys least expected, and they retreated bruised, battered & badly shaken. From that moment on never again did any one dare tease her. Nine years later I had the good fortune of marrying this lady. Teacher Sheeba is her name & the umbrella like the sword of Tipu Sultan is preserved for posterity. It�s been an eventful 140 years of quality service for S.F.S and as the old school embarks on another voyage that will see it cross many more milestones, in my nautical lexis I wish the institution a Bon Voyage, smooth seas and favorable winds. The old school has given so much to so many & I can hardly think of my life without S.F.S, after all I was there for 12 years. Roll on S.F.S you make me feel like a child again. �Dare to be wise� NOEL DIAS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Ravindra Bhalerao e-mail: [r_bhalerao@rediffmail.com] Website: http://railwaysofraj.blogspot.com/ What an amazing website, thank you Ravindra. Dear Readers: do take a look this is so informative and nostalgic, as a child living in India I loved the Stations, the trains and the teeming life around the station. Ravindra�s memories ....I have been interested in railways, particularly steam trains, and the people who ran them, right since my childhood days. Now of course, I am settled in Nagpur, and besides trains, there are so many things to attend to. But railways and steam trains will always remain my first love. You will read more about me when you turn to my website. During your childhood days, I am sure you must be coming to NGP often. My father had great tales to tell us about Gondia and Bhandara, where he lived. But the funniest place he would tell us about was Ramtek. There was a temple atop a hill in Ramtek, and Dad (who was only about 6-7 years old then) would go up the hill for a bit of fun, and pick berries (or some such fruit), and very soon, monkeys would crowd around him, seeing he was eating luscious berries --- so Dad had to throw away the berries, lest the monkeys would come and get him !! Do take a look at my railway blog. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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