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Archiver > INDIA > 1999-02 > 0918250863
From: <>
Subject: Re: Anglo Indian - Definition
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 16:41:03 EST
Neroli: your question comes up sometimes and is debated. Your personal
situation points to the fact that there will probably not be very many Anglo
Indians left very soon. In America now we prefer to allow people to self
identify their race and culture because we all have so many different strains
its not very nice to call someone something if they don't identify as such.
You don't say what your father is but that might determine something. My
children, whose father is Goan, (and who were born here) call themselves Anglo
Indian/American because they have not really been given much of the Portuguese
culture that their father and grandparents had... however when they visited
Portugal they felt very much at home....!
In answer to your 2 Qs see below:
In a message dated 99-02-02 03:43:43 EST, writes:
<< On my interpretation of this definition, though my mother and maternal
grandmother fit the definition, I would not (because I was not born in
India and my parents were not domiciled there).
However, the definition raised a couple of other questions in my mind:
1.Is it correct that, none of the offspring of a European woman and an
Indian man would be Anglo Indian, but that the children of any male
offspring of the original couple would be - assuming the place of birth and
residency requirements were met.?
This is a tricky question but its true that if they identified with the Anglo
Indian community they would be accepted however many do not and join the
Indian community in which case they would not. It seems more important to have
an English surname to be an Anglo Indian.
2.Though the definition refers to persons domiciled in the territory of
India, it is sufficient that they met the definition at birth and carry it
with them despite no longer being resident in India?
Yes, I am an Anglo Indian by birth but not by domicile because I've lived in
America for over 30 years and don't vote in India. The definition you found
was important for us when India was newly independent and we had
representation in government.
Its of no great importance that I obtain the answers to these questions:
I'm just curious. Still, if anyone can advise ...
Hope this helps and doesn't confuse more....Joy
Many thanks. >>
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