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The Immortal Mortals by Warren Brown

The painter crouched on the pavement on his hands and knees, he paid no attention to the crowds which had gathered around him. The street was bustling with activity and yet the sound of the people and the traffic did not bother him in the least. He was too absorbed in his art to even look around at the crowd which hovered above him and watched anxiously as he completed the drawing of Lord Krishna, on the hard grey cemented pavement, which was "the drawing room of his home", which was a little away under a makeshift plastic tent .

The Librarian stared hard at the painting on the side-walk and seemed to be studying the intricate lines and the scheme of colours which had been used. He took out a one rupee coin and threw it beside the artist, others began to follow suit , though half the crowd had left after the illustration was completed. Prasenjit Basu the elderly librarian who worked at the Ezekiel College Library nearby, looked at his watch and then realizing he would be late for work, went hurrying towards the College, which was quite close by to where the roadside artist had his concrete canvas.

"Good Morning, Sir!", said one of the students who was from the college and would frequent the library regularly. "Good Morning, Asha! How are you? , will you be coming to the library today? The book you had wanted to borrow , was returned yesterday. Make sure to come today to collect it, before it is borrowed once again , by some other student or Professor ", said Mr.Basu with a smile on his genial face. He would always wear a white dhoti and a white shirt to work, during winters he would wear a grey coat. He was lean in appearance, of medium height and he wore small black-rimmed spectacles.

The Day was busy and at 6pm as the tired Librarian walked home , he could not help noticing that the street -painter , had also retired for the day, after cleaning the section of pavement where he would do his sketches .The painter would visit the spot for about a month before moving to another spot in the city. Mr.Basu was sympathetic towards the painter ,as he had been seeing him since the time he joined the College almost 40 years ago. He would look forward to seeing the painter once a year and he was always happy to see his art on the road, once a year for one month.

When Mr.Basu arrived home he was pleased to see his wife Rita, she was his College sweetheart and was about five years younger than him, she was waiting for him in the living room. Rita had a big smile on her heart shaped face ,as she said," Hi Prasenjit , How was your day?". The Librarian of the family gave her a warm smile although he was feeling quite exhausted and said, "Rita my dear , I had a wonderfully busy day, How was yours?". Rita who was a housewife , now proceeded to inform him about all that occurred at home since the morning. Her husband listened attentively, and nodded his head now and again

After the initial rush of students for books had ended, the library was quiet and the Librarian Mr. Basu could now rest a while. It was during the afternoons when a few regular students would pay him a visit and ask him for his advice and suggestions that he would listen and give advice as best he could . Anjali , a first year student of the Media and Communications Department approached the desk. "Good afternoon ,Sir! I need your advice regarding choosing a topic for my Media and Communications Course, it should be about any person or place which has somehow made a difference in the world, it can also be about any issue which is important in the world today." The Librarian nodded his head and said, "Give me a day to think about it and I will inform you about it tomorrow morning ,when you come for classes". They then proceeded to discuss the issues on Careers, Employment opportunities and other matters which are so necessary when young people have to step out into the world.

Ten years later, when boys grow up to be responsible men, girls grow up to be either mothers, housewives or career women , the time when saplings develop into trees and the time when roses and blossoms whither, decay and are rejuvenated with new life, is the time when Ezekiel College celebrated 400 years of its establishment. People from all spheres of life , who had been students of the College, came for the grand Celebrations. The College was unrecognizable with all the decorations and to some sentimental persons it seemed to resemble a bride waiting for her new groom to arrive.

The College Auditorium was filled with students, past and present, Professors, teachers, nuns , priests and almost everyone who had been connected to the College at some time in their lives. The hall was beautifully decorated and the ambience was that of joy and celebration. A wave of emotion swept the audience as the historical College Anthem was sung , tears collected in more than a few eyes that evening. The Principal of the College said a few words and the Programme started on a cheerful and promising note. The Chief Guest , Foundress of the International Organization," Mending Lives, Lighting Candles", Mrs. Anjali Kapoor, walked up to the podium to give her speech.

Dressed in a light green shimmering saree ,she looked elegant and she seemed to be in her mid thirties. "Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, and students both past and present, I am very happy to be here today. I am an ex-student of our beloved Institution Ezekiel College and the influence of the teachers and Professors have left an indelible mark on my mind and I am sure on the minds and hearts of each and every student of this College who studied here. I am a success in my field of work and I owe it to the Librarian of this College , Mr.Prasenjit Basu, who gave me the inspiration to start my organization, and who also thought that the seeds of greatness and leadership are in each one of us. The following video clip was made by me, when I was a second year student of the College , in the Media and Communications Department. The topic was suggested to me by Mr.Prasenjit Basu and it was also the filming of this extraordinary man, a road-side painter, which made a difference in my life. Though Mr. Prasenjit Basu is no more, his words of encouragement will always remain in the minds and in the hearts of all those who knew him."

The lights went out in the Auditorium and the big silver screen on stage lit up brightly. On screen the figure of a scruffy man painting on the street could be seen, as the narrator said, "This is the life mission of Mr.Suman Kundu, who would visit this part of the city beside the College once a year for a period of one month , and he would do remarkable illustrations of mythical figures. He brought art to the common man , through these efforts of his." The illustration on the ground was now on screen , it was the figure of Hanuman and for an instant it seemed that the monkey-god would jump off the fabric of the screen , onto the audience below who gasped in awe and amazement. The narrator continued, " Mr.Kundu, had studied art at the Government College of Art, but after he could not get employment at any place , his family disowned him and he lived on the streets, his only source of income being to do his roadside painting all across the city. One month after this documentary was completed this man died on the street, in the bitter cold. There was no one to mourn his demise, but the man and his art will remain with us". The video continued , the crowds around the man could be seen hovering around and somewhere in that crowd was the old Librarian smiling .

The Chief Guest now ended her speech with the words, "These two men who are no more with us are examples of men who are Immortal Mortals, who will always live in the minds and in the hearts of all those they have influenced". The audience gave Mrs.Anjali Kapoor a standing ovation.The fest continued and they were the best Celebrations Ezekiel College had ever had.

Somewhere, on another plane of existence, the elderly Librarian Mr.Prasenjit Basu walks to his College Library to work, while his friend the street-painter, artistically creates yet another masterpiece on his concrete canvas.

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THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN INDIA By Warren Brown

The English Language in India,is an interesting topic of study with the differences and similarities to British English. I am not an expert on the topic, but since I have spoken the English Language since birth, I am quite familiar with its different aspects. I have also done my Bachelor of Arts with Honours in the English Language.

I am 30 years old ,married, a librarian by profession and an Anglo-Indian by community and an Indian by Nationality.I alongwith members of my community , Anglo-Indians, are mixtures of British and Indian origins, this occurred during the time of British occupation in India ,they were in India for a period of over 400 years.

British English is the original form of English and it can be divided into Old English, Shakespearean English and Modern English. British English is also sometimes referred to as Kings English. In England , we find that though the language is spoken throughout, it assumes many different forms, according to the region. For example the people from Ireland will speak English with their own peculiar accent, tone and mannerisms. The Scots from Scotland will speak the English Language with a Scottish accent and tone.In this way the English Language is spoken in the different regions of England with a mixture of the local regional dialect, which makes it unique.

I am sure that even the Italian Language is not uniform throughout the whole of Italy. It must be changing its form according to its particular region or locality, and is thus spoken in different accents ,tones and styles.

Likewise in India English is spoken in different regions of India and by different communities in India in different styles. The common forms of English prevalent in India are listed below:

Anglicised English: This form of English is spoken by members of my community and it is very similar to British English as far as form and structure is concerned, the only difference being that it is not spoken with a British accent, but in an Anglo-Indian accent, hence it is called Anglicised English .

Hinglish: This is a mixture of the Hindi Language in India and the English Language.It is sometimes referred to as broken English. However, when it is used by Indian writers, who write in English and sometimes put in Hindi words and phrases , it is then referred to as Hinglish.

Benglish: This is a mixture of the Bengali Language and the English Language.It is used by Indian writers of the Bengali community in India when they write in English and in between the lines add some Bengali words and phrases.

Depending on the location of a region in India, English is spoken with a peculiar accent , which is unique to that region only.
In the South of India , English is spoken with the South Indian accent, among the educated classes.
In the North of India, English is spoken with the North Indian accent, among the educated classes.
In the East of India, English is spoken with the East Indian accent, among the educated classes.
In the West of India, English is spoken with the West Indian accent, among the educated classes.

However, it is vital to always keep in mind that only about 45 percentage of the population of India speak the English Language, as about 45-50 percentage of the population are educated.

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Remembering Our Anglo-Indian Heroes by Warren Brown

Every race on the planet takes pride in its Heroes and its Legends. From Genghis Khan, Aurangzeb,Shivaji to Oliver Cromwell, human civilization has brought forth its heroes, during times of fear and oppression, for people to follow, aspire to and emulate.The Anglo-Indian community also has its share of courageous soldiers and adventurers who fought in several wars down the ages.

In 1916 at least 8,000 Anglo-Indians had joined various British units, a large number were enlisted in the Dorset Regiment. The Cavalry and the Royal Artillery attracted the Anglo-Indians more than the Infantry.However, their records of identity and gallantry were lost to the community.

On the 15th March 1916, the authorities sanctioned the raising of an Anglo-Indian force as an integral part of the British army.

The Anglo-Indian legend,James Skinner who was also referred to as Sikander Sahib, was born in 1775. His mother was a Rajput and his father a Scotsman.He and his "yellow boys", were freelance soldiers and fought for a number of Rajahs. During battle they would wear yellow shawls , hence the origin of their nickname. Skinners irregular cavalry,called "Skinners' Horse", turned out to be one of the finest regiments of the British and later the Indian Army. He was decorated with the "Knight of the Order of the Bath".James Skinner died at the age of 64 in 1841.In 1978 the Indian Government issued a postage stamp to celebrate 175 years of the Skinners' Horse Regiment.

During the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, essential services like the Post and Telegraphs, the Railways and Customs were manned by Anglo-Indians. The Gardner's Horse, founded by Colonel William Linnaeus Gardner is one of India's proud regiments today.William Gardner was gazetted as an Ensign in the 18th Foot on the 7th March, 1793. He was the eldest son of Major Valentine Gardner who was the elder brother of Alan, First Lord Gardner . William was a skilled rider and swordsman. He was held in very high esteem by both Indians and Europeans.In 1804 it appears that Gardner was in the service of the Raja of Jaipur.He later joined the British and started the Cavalry Corps , known as the "Gardner's Horse".He is described as a gentleman and a soldier.Gardner died at his estate at Khasgunj, at the age of 65, on the 20th July 1835. His wife died of a broken heart six months later.His wife was a princess and he had two sons and a daughter from her.

Colonel Henry Forster , was the son of Henry Pitts Forster of the East India Company's Civil Service who came out to India in1783.Henry Pitts Forster was later made the Master of the Calcutta Mint.Henry Forster was born in 1793, and being of mixed descent he was disqualified from obtaining service in the Company.Finally he joined the Mahratta Army, and in 1816 he was appointed Adjutant of the second regiment of Skinner's Horse. During the outbreak of the Mutiny, Forster was detailed to reduce the mutinous 34th N.I. and Ramghur Infantry in Singhboom,Manbhoom and Chaisbasa. Having accomplished this Forster was ordered to perform a similar task at Sumbulpore.On his arrival , he was appointed Commissioner. Colonel Forster died at his residence in Calcutta, at Ballygunge, after a prolonged attack of fever, in 1862. Colonel Forster first married Miss Kellner who was murdered at Delhi, during the Mutiny.His second wife was an Indian lady.

Major Hyder Young Hearsey, was the son of a Jat lady by Captain Henry Hearsey. By coincidence he was given the name of Hyder, who was one of England's greatest enemies, Hyder Ali of Mysore.It is believed that his second name was "Jung", which means war, and it was later anglicised to Young. Hyder Hearsey was educated at Woolich. Due to the enforcement of the ban against the admission of Anglo-Indians into the Company's Army, he would have been denied Commission, but for the influence of his cousin Colonel Andrew Hearsey, Commandant of the Allahabad Fort. His first appointment was as aide-de-camp to the Nawab Wazir at Benares: he soon effected an exchange into the Mahratta service under Madhoji Scindia.In 1804 , Hyder Hearsey joined Lord Lake.

In the short War of 1971, several Anglo-Indian Airmen won Gallantry Awards.Air Marshal Maurice Barker,AVSM,Air Vice-Marshal J.F.Lazaro PVSM, J.J.Bouche AVSM and A.L.Michael AVSM, Air Commodores Peter Motiland Wilson PVSM Mahavir Chakra, M.D.Wollan PVSM, Vernon Loyd PVSM, Group Captain Cecil Parker VM won the Mahavir Chakra for outstanding Gallantry and Vir Chakras were won by Group Captain Betry Weir, AVSM, Wing Commanders D.M.Conquest AVSM, Allen Alley and Squadron Leader D.Lazaro were awarded VMs and mentions in Despatches.

Lt.General Pat Dunn was awarded the Padma Bhushan, for his exceptional valour in the defence of his country, he took an active role in the Indo-Pakistan War in 1965.

Flight Lt.Bernard Owen Egan-Walker, was only 24 years old, when he was shot down in a bombing raid over Germany on the night of December 6th,1944.

Air Marshall Denzil Keelor was commissioned in the I.A.F. on November 6th 1954.His career covered 36 years in the I.A.F. He has taken part in operations against Pakistan, in 1965 and 1971 and performed with distinctions.Denzil Keelor was awarded the Kirti Chakra and the Vir Chakra by the President of India for Gallantry.Air Marshal Denzil Keelor was born on the 7th December 1933. He is currently working as Advisor(Aviation) and is in charge of Certification and Inspection of Aircrew and Operational Surveillance, at the Directorate of Civil Aviation(DGCA).

The Battle of Kut, was another occasion when the courage of the Anglo-Indian soldiers was brought to the fore-front.The battle stated in 1915 and lasted for one year.An Anglo-Indian battalion fought against the Turks in the River Tigris, near Kut, from 25th December 1915.The Turks over ran the position and only a third of the original force survived. Kut would have been captured on Christmas Day had the Anglo-Indian Battalion not stood their ground, according to General Townshend.

Helen Rodriguez an Anglo-Indian girl from Bangalore won the George Medal Award for her courage and outstanding devotion to duty in the face of Japanese bombers at Taunggyi ,Civil Hospital.Helen was Matron, stretcer-bearer and performed many operations.She was captured by the Chinese and then by the Japanese who thought she was a spy.Helen was bayoneted by a drunken Japanese soldier, but she survived all her ordeals at the P.O.W. camps.

85% of the women of the Women's Auxiliary Corps.of India were Anglo-Indians.Apart from Nursing they also served in the Army and Navy Stores across the country.

Flight Lt.Warneford(1892-1950) of Bangalore was the first man to shoot down the first Zeppelin in France.He won the Victoria Cross and the Croix de Guerre.

After the second World War sixteen Victoria Crosses were bestowed on Anglo-Indians and ninety-seven Military Crosses were awarded for acts of heroism during the War.

Anglo-Indian History is not short of War Heroes and heroic deeds,with moments of defeat, valour and victory. Someone, somewhere should create A Virtual Anglo-Indian Cemetery in Cyberspace and on the Monument of the fallen Anglo-Indian soldier the following words of Thomas Arnold could be inscribed as an epitaph:

"Two things we ought to learn from History: one, that we are not in ourselves superior to our fathers; another, that we are shamefully and monstrously inferior to them, if we do not advance beyond them."
-T. Arnold

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TAO TE CHING An Introduction by Warren

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