Kolkata's own: Chinese and Anglo-Indians

CITY IDENTITY: They have migrated but are proud to be an intrinsic part of the city.

J & K | Chhattisgarh | Delhi | MP |
Mizoram | Rajasthan

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

26/11: Terror comes precariously close

Featured Slideshows

Kolkata: Reading the Bengali newspapers in the morning is a must for him - as it is for most Bengalis settled in Kolkata. But Derek O Brien is not a Bengali - even though he loves to be called one.

He's one of the most recognizable faces in the city, as quiz master and author, and recently for his political affiliations to Mamata Bannerjee. As one of Kolkata's most famous Anglo Indians - he is proud of the long journey a lot of them have made.

“People want to pursue their career here, whether its service, or journalism. It’s been 60 years since independence. For the first 30 years there was that hangover and then they said, whoever has gone, has gone and then they decided to do some thing here,” says quiz master and author Derek O Brien.

“I got into politics you have to know the local language, I got married to a Bengali, and you know the difference between different fish. You keep your identity but you get inclusive,” he adds.

Born to British fathers and Indian mothers - for a long time, they were considered outsiders because of their fair skin and English speaking ways.

But today they are as much a Calcuttan as any Bengali. Michael Robertson - who was born a few years after independence has seen the long journey made by many in his community.

From bearing the brunt of prejudices to seeing frustrated young Anglo Indians leaving India for Australia and Canada - he is today proud of how finally they have blended into the city's social fabric.

“The children more educated today. Children want to learn. They are qualifying better. They are getting jobs; community identity is merging with the Indian identity. They may have western names and having fun but that's ok. They're better placed in this world now, Anglo Indians,” says Executive Director, Vedic Village, Michael Robertson.

Anglo Indians have today moved from traditional places of residence like Elliot Road and Rippon Street to South Kolkata localities like Picnic Gardens and Behala.

For a lot of them, this change of residence signifies the long and often difficult journey that made since 1947.

And then there's the Chinese in Kolkata's very own China Town - Tangra. Here Monica Liu is not only one of the most influential Chinese women around but also a cook par excellence.

Her ancestors came to Kolkata decades ago to set up businesses here. Today Monica is a world traveler - but returns to Kolkata every time.

“Saying this is home and no place is as wonderful as Kolkata,” says Resident, Tangra, Monica Liu.

Like the Anglo Indians, there was a time when the Chinese too were leaving the city to go to foreign countries in search of work. Today they are opting to stay on.

I want to stay here because today there are opportunities in Kolkata,” says, Resident, Tangra Miranda Wu.

It's a city that is today changing - sometimes leaving the old behind and welcoming the new. But what will always remain constant about Kolkata are the people - who despite being outsiders are today perhaps more Calcuttan than most Bengalis.