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This is the eighth and final book of a eries that began in 2000. Started
by BACSA members Blair and Ellen Williams, the idea behind the
books was two-fold: to give a voice to the Anglo-lndian community
and to raise money for poorer members of the community living in
Calcutta. Over the last fifteen years a significant change has taken
place, both in the way that Angio-Indians see themselves and how they
are perceived by others, One of the co-editors, Kathleen Cassity, said when she began researching her own Anglo-Indian background in 1992, resources were scanty, apart from classics like Hostages to India
by Herbert Stark and Britain 's Betrayal in India by Frank Anthony.
Both titles are significant - Anglo-lndians were betrayed by Britain
after 1947. The country mythologised as 'Home' even by those born in
India, made it a difficult as possible for Anglo-Indians to emigrate.
Passports were delayed or with-held, payments were demanded, and
politicians were scathing about the supposed detects of these mixed race
people.
As a result, many went to Australia New Zealand, Canada and the
USA. Britain lost out on a group of people who were well-educated who
were teachers, nurses, administrators and engineers and above all,
British in their values. How different post-war immigration patterns
might have been had the community been welcomed. In India, jobs
which had traditionally been reserved for Anglo-Indians were
withdrawn. Today, those who stayed in India are sharply divided into
the educators running some of the best public schools and the very
poor, dependent on charity. Few have made it in to government. This
book then is both a summary of the community today and a nostalgic
look back. 'After the Diaspora', 'Anglo-lndian Cuisine' , and 'Scholarly
Forays, are some of the sections. Humour, family stories, analysis,
history and gossip are all here. Among the many contributors are
academics, novelists, anthropologists, journali sts and engineers. And
their voices, at last are confident. Recommended.
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