Title: Christmas in Calcutta :
Authors: Andrews, Robyn.
Date: 2014
Publisher: SAGE,
Physical description: xlviii, 218 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Language: English
LC classification: D
Abstract: "Calcutta has one of the largest Anglo-Indian populations in the world. This is a community with members who occupy a wide range of socio-economic positions and who live a variety of lives that are always nuanced by their being Anglo-Indian. However, the community has been conveniently stereotyped by the media. Christmas in Calcutta goes beyond the stereotype and delves deep in this study of the Anglo-Indian community in Calcutta. The book comprises life stories, memoir pieces and essays on issues of contemporary interest. It is organised into four sections: 'Identity' focuses on the origins, characteristics and the constitutional definition of the community, 'Faith' or specifically the practice of Christianity, is the subject of study in the second section, 'Education' points out some of the failings of the education system for the communityand the final section, 'Community Care', talks about Anglo-Indian care and the consolidation of their community through this care. By drawing on the vital lives of real individuals, the author hopes that there is a change to the lens through which these people of India are viewed."--Publisher description.
Contents: Part One. Identity -- Angeline : typically Anglo-Indian -- Essay: Culture and identity -- Irene : questions of identity -- Part Two. Faith -- Dulcie : the kindness of strangers and an everyday faith -- Essay: A Christian community in changing times -- Jane : God-given opportunities -- Part Three. Education -- Peter : the less the education, the fewer the opportunities -- Michael Robertson : education and the community -- Essay: Reflections on dilemmas in education -- Philip : with education comes success -- Part Four. Community care -- Philomena Eaton : social service convenor extraordinaire -- Essay: Community care and consolidation -- Barry O'Brien : charismatic politician -- Meryl : life, last days and care -- Final words: Reflections on research and the community.
Subject headings (LCSH): Anglo-Indians--India--Kolkata--Biography.; Anglo-Indians--India--Kolkata--Ethnic identity.; Anglo-Indians--India--Kolkata--Social conditions.; Christian biography--India--Kolkata.; Community life--India--Kolkata.; Education--Social aspects--India--Kolkata.; Kolkata (India)--Biography.; Kolkata (India)--Ethnic relations.; Kolkata (India)--Religious life and customs.; Kolkata (India)--Social conditions.