Constance Roberts

Story

The aftermath of Indian Independence in 1947 took an enormous toll on the Anglo-Indian community in India. The build up to Independence was scary. There were times when Anglo-Indians had to disguise themselves and dress like the Indians and wear ‘Gandhi\’ caps. I remember the riots every day and the post office being burnt. The Hindus tried to burn other government buildings and some murdered the British. Some Anglo-Indians were also murdered because of their affiliation with the British, and it was frightening living during those times.

Independence Day, 15 August 1947 was a big occasion with church bells ringing and Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, gave a speech on the radio. For our community, it was a sad day, even though it was inevitable with the changing times, we felt that part of our heritage was being lost. Many Hindus and Muslims too felt sad that the British were leaving because they knew that the country was in good hands.

At that time, India was very clean, with beautiful parks and it was safe to walk in the night, we even went on moonlight picnics. After the British left, things familiar to us started going downhill. There was no respect for Anglo-Indian women. Companies were taken over and nationalised and we were afraid that Hindi would be the main language in schools and that our children would be forced to learn and speak in Hindi and forsake everything British.

While we were still in India, there were so many Anglo-Indians around that we didn\’t mix socially with the Indians or the British. We had our own clubs where we went for dances and we also went to the Railway Institute for celebrations, especially around Christmas.

By the mid 1960s, Anglo-Indians were leaving Calcutta in big numbers. I was determined to take my kids to a better country and start a new life. Whilst I was making enquiries, one of the Australian ladies at the Good Companions, Calcutta, where I worked said I would do well in Australia with my family, and encouraged me to get my papers in. My sister, was already in Melbourne and was willing to sponsor us. When we got the news that we were accepted by the Immigration Office, the kids became very excited and we made arrangements to leave early in 1972. It was also a sad time leaving some of the family behind and our neighbours who were good friends. I had never travelled overseas before and with the five kids and their tickets and passports, there was some confusion and I couldn\’t find the accommodation vouchers at Bangkok airport. We had to fly to Kuala Lumpur and from there to Perth and on to Melbourne. The flight and the trip to Melbourne was an eye opener for us as the experience was so new and exciting that we didn\’t think what lay ahead in the new country, until we arrived.

Life in general was different, I had to adjust to the Aussie way of life which although was western was different in customs, food and the Australian accent took a while getting used to. I held a number of jobs until I found the right job in the public service, Motor Registration Branch. I worked there until the age of 59 when I accepted voluntary redundancy and retired.

The kids were older and were able to find jobs in the first week they arrived. The two younger kids were accepted at Kew High School. We rented a house in Kew and had many good days there with friends dropping in every Sunday for lunch. My sister\’s family helped us settle in initially, then we were on our own. There was myself and the five kids so it was not lonely and we shared experiences with each other and friends who dropped by.

Once the kids married and moved out, I moved from Kew to Brunswick, Blackburn and then Forest Hill. I made many new friends. I did not mix much with Anglo-Indians but was comfortable with the new people I met at work, whether they were Australians or other nationalities. The family was also big, so there were a lot of family gatherings. I think it was a great opportunity and the best thing for the Anglo-Indian community to emigate to Australia. They have all done well in Australia.

I have had no problems with the Australian people. I find it easy to make friends and feel they are quite open to immigrants and immigration in general. You do hear about a few who don\’t want the immigrants coming in but not on a personal level.

These days the future is not looking too good because of the threat of nuclear war and because of September 11 terrorists. However, yes I made the right decision to emigrate to Australia and am happy that all my eight children have also emigrated and have progressed well in Australia.

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