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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Kitty Teixeira

In the past, they were many write-ups about the Gunj and the Anglo Indians here in newspapers and on the Internet. Even today- from not only various Indian T.V. channels but even from abroad journalist and reporters come to interview Anglo Indians. There have been teams coming down to make documentaries and have spent days here to shoot and interview. Most of the write ups say that Anglo Indians here are not doing well and project them as poor people to feel sorry for.

The AI’s that gave interviews to newspapers or T.V. reporters were shocked to find that write-ups were so different from the actual statements they gave. The statements printed contained lies and talks that didn't take place.

Kitty Teixeira has been described as a poor woman who sells fruit in the railway station to feed her children, since maybe the last twenty years or so. Well those were her bad times and time changes all the time. When she was being highlighted by media as Kitty Memsaab, and a poor woman, she was a real Memsaab even then. She owns a lot of land now and did then too and she also has her own house left to her by her parents. The condition of her house or living standard is really not concerning her financial situation much. She adapted to the living style of the poor villagers. She speaks the lingo perfectly and dresses just as the local women that sell vegetables or work in fields. That’s what attracts the media the most.

Kitty sold a part of her property recently and could have done the same twenty years ago but she didn't need to do so maybe. Kitty’s four children are now adults. Her only son, Robert runs a hostel for school going children. 

I think it is now time that reporters should stop thinking that by writing lies about Anglo Indians of McCluskiegunj and making false stories will make them famous. In fact if they continue to write made-up stories, they will be really sorry to meet an Anglo Indian in McCluskiegunj after that.

The famous book on McCluskiegunj by Vikas Kumar Jha is a fictitious novel but It is understood to be true by people who have no connection with or knowledge of the place.

11 comments:

  1. Hi!
    I disagree with what you have mentioned.I have been visiting this village since I was like five. I have constantly been in touch with the people and the developments happening in McCluskiegunj. I was very sad with the demise of some lovely people I knew like Ms.Judy Mendonca and Mr.Cameron who were one of the prominent Anglo-Indians settled in the village for years. The way you have perceived Kitty Teixeira is pretty appalling and it looks like you havnt had the chance to interact with her.Kitty came from a very influential family but after the demise of her parents, she had to go through a lot and during that time she got married to a tribal, Ramesh Munda and had kids and started selling vegetables and fruits on the railway station.I have met her daughter and Kitty as well and the way its mentioned in the novel, its absolutely true. You write that she dresses like a local woman which is so not true as a woman who has to sell vegetables on the streets has to have financial constraints across the world and not only in a small village. A lot of Anglo- Indians in the village had poor economic conditions but with the Don Bosco School coming up and the hostel facilities provided by the local people in their houses made it better. The characters mentioned in the novel are very much true as well as their backgrounds and their conditions. There are no lies and the way you have perceived it seems far away from reality because had you been knowing it, you wouldn't have mentioned something so incorrect and unrealistic.

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  2. Hi!
    I disagree with what you have mentioned.I have been visiting this village since I was like five. I have constantly been in touch with the people and the developments happening in McCluskiegunj. I was very sad with the demise of some lovely people I knew like Ms.Judy Mendonca and Mr.Cameron who were one of the prominent Anglo-Indians settled in the village for years. The way you have perceived Kitty Teixeira is pretty appalling and it looks like you havnt had the chance to interact with her.Kitty came from a very influential family but after the demise of her parents, she had to go through a lot and during that time she got married to a tribal, Ramesh Munda and had kids and started selling vegetables and fruits on the railway station.I have met her daughter and Kitty as well and the way its mentioned in the novel, its absolutely true. You write that she dresses like a local woman which is so not true as a woman who has to sell vegetables on the streets has to have financial constraints across the world and not only in a small village. A lot of Anglo- Indians in the village had poor economic conditions but with the Don Bosco School coming up and the hostel facilities provided by the local people in their houses made it better. The characters mentioned in the novel by Vikas Kumar Jha are very much true and authentic as well as their backgrounds and their conditions. There are no lies and the way you have perceived it seems far away from reality because had you been knowing it, you wouldn't have mentioned something so incorrect and unrealistic.

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  4. Hi Shrishti.
    first of all, sorry for the delay...
    secondly, coming to your comment. You mentioned, you have been visiting this village since you were like five... You didn't't mention your age though. Am 42 and born here. My mother and Kitty grew up together here.
    I mentioned that she dresses... But she is well off now...
    Regarding Visas Jha's novel, speak to Anglo Indian's here to get a clearer picture. Ask me to get an interview with some of them the next time you visit.
    Kitty's only son Robert Munda is a friend of mine and he goes by his mother's surname. DID YOU KNOW THAT TOO?
    Regards.

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  5. Is investment in land in mackluskigunj a wise decision ..and where u see the gunj to be after 10 15 years

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    1. Hi Anup.
      I would say yes to your first question. But soon you won't be able to buy land here because the prices have gone up tremendously in recent decade.

      McCluskiegunj is becoming an educational hub and now development has started at a good pace. In the near 15 years, the place will lose it's identity and value as a tourist center which the government has declared it and it will no longer remain a unique village. It will be highly populated like other towns. Just my opinion.

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  6. Can you tell me exact location of Anglo indian village?

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    Replies
    1. McCluskiegunj, new spelling McCluskieganj is 62 km from Ranchi city which is the capital of Jharkhand in India. Search for it in Google and you will see...

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  7. How old is Mrs. Kitty teikshera? Is she alive?

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    Replies
    1. Well, by grace of the almighty, yes, Kitty Teixeira is alive. Age, not sure.

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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Thank you for showing your interest in McCluskiegunj. Leave your querries, and I shall try to satisfy them at my earliest.