This young bespectacled, serious young student was
searching for roots on a nature ramble. See Appendix 3
for a photograph of this young boy on his nature-study
ramble. He talked about the importance of roots for
trees. He offered a very interesting discussion on good
and bad roots. He said,
I have to search for the roots. This plant
is okay, it has good roots, but this one is
going to die, it has very bad roots. The
rain will not even help it. It will die most
probably.
318-339 Anglo-Indians 22 boys 6-17 Christian Devlali 24
July
These 22 Anglo-Indian boys were interviewed in two
separate groups. The larger group was aged 14-17. The
majority of the younger Anglo-Indians were unable to
speak in Hindi, although all of them could sing a Hindi
pop song. They were well organised in their dormitory
and settled down with enthusiasm to answer the questions.
Only seven boys were bilingual in English and Hindi.
They were aged 10-13. One fourteen year old boy was the
soul of wit, he drew cartoons of the teachers, and said
that,
... the food should change in this school. I
know I'm free and shouldn't grumble, but, you
asked me, and we should have less timings in
school for games. It's boring. Most of the
boys enjoyed watching videos, which are quite
good for religious studies. They should have
videos for learning Hindi. I am sure they'll
be better than the teachers teaching us!
340 Anglo-Indian man 40-50 Christian Devlali 24
July
The Principal was well-liked and respected. He possessed
tremendous self-confidence, and his reputation had spread
into the town. The school was actually known as his
school, that is, his surname was used to describe the
school at the Railway Station. He was self-assured. His
first question to the interviewer after the interview was
completed was,
Now, you tell me what is the worst thing you
found about the school?
The researcher referred to the inadequate collection of
library books. He agreed and mentioned that it was on
his agenda to improve the collection of library books.
He spoke about inadequate language skills.
That is something that has been with us for
such a long time, that we have become used to
Anglo-Indians failing in the school. I have
given much thought to it along with my
405