[thugs].
These comments cite the source of the inadequate
qualifications as the Anglo-Indian school. The comments
linked the poor educational qualifications of the
Anglo-Indians to the number of unemployed Anglo-Indians.
There were large numbers who were either unemployed or in
low skilled jobs living in India's sprawling urban slums.
Some of the British Anglo-Indians also visited the smaller
railway townships and rural areas, and found widespread
poverty among the community in those areas as well.
Poverty and disadvantage were endemic in the community in
the 1980s.
This picture was starkly confirmed in a two-part Channel 4
television programme about the Anglo-Indian community shown
in 1986. (8) The programme portrayed the apathy and
hopelessness felt by the community. Although the major
criticism has been that the documentary focused only on
poverty, and not the achievements and wealth of a few
individuals, it was a fair summary of the socio-economic
status of the community.
British Anglo-Indians, whom the researcher interviewed at
the time in relation to the 1988 research, were appalled by
the images of poverty in the community. After the first
initial shock, many of them agreed with the findings of the
documentary. Their comments about the programme fell into
three categories. (9)
1. Anglo-Indians were concerned at the portrayal of so
much suffering in India.
I felt very close to tears when I saw the
programme. There didn't seem to be anything
nice to say about us.
2. They were also relieved that they
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