Macky's Mart

CONDITION OF THE ANGLO-INDIAN PUPILS PRE-INDEPENDENCE

The side-lining of the Anglo-Indian student, too young to realise the enormity of unfolding events, was preceded by genuine advice by those in authority. The community was advised to integrate and compete in the changing reality of the new world order. Men of stature referred to this issue repeatedly in public fora. Examples of this can be gleaned from formal addresses made by a series of Chief Guests over the years preceding Independence, in advising the Anglo-Indian community.

In 1925, The Hon. Samuel Perry O’Donnell CSI, CIE, ICS, Trustee of the Martin Charities and Member of His Excellency’s Council, speaking on Prize Day declared:

A similar sentiment was expressed by Sir Alexander Muddiman, Kt, KCSI, CIE, Governor of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh on Prize Day, 1928:

In presenting his Annual Report as Principal, Mr W. E. Andrews in March 1930 expressed the acute awareness of the challenges that the domiciled Europeans and Anglo-Indian community faced:

Occasionally, there was a voice raised by those in authority, reminding the public at large of the objectives of the College and the positive bias towards the Anglo-Indian community. Sir Harry Haig, KCSI, CIE, ICS, the well-known and popular Governor of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh dwelt on this twice; the first time when he attended as Chief Guest on Prize Day 1935:

Thereafter a similar sentiment was expressed when he attended Prize Day 1938 as Chief Guest:

The theme of encouragement to the Anglo-Indian community remained one of reassurance, as India prepared for Independence. Just a few months before Independence, at Prize Day, in March, 1947, Chief Guest Sir Francis Wylie, Governor of the United Provinces referred to the demographic cross-section of La Martiniere pupils and the way they, especially the Anglo-Indian community, would be absorbed into the demand for qualified personnel in the programme of industrial expansion that was envisaged: