Can skin color or facial looks determine where one is from? The answer is NO. With many people moving around the globe and settling in new places, the world has turned into one small village, where one's skin color does not determine where one is from. For example, within Taiwan, one can see several facial features and skin color differences. Such differences do not make them less Taiwanese.
The differences get more prominent when the geographical area is extensive. If we take India's case here (which is the primary focus of my column), we will be astonished by how the culture differs. It simply cannot be compared to anything. For some academic scholars, India is also known as the "subcontinent" due to its vast differences in culture, languages, people with different races living together, etc. One of the prominent differences that can be seen among the Indian people is their ethnicity.
When ethnicity comes in, one less heard and read of is the "Indian-Chinese" community. Based mostly at the eastern port city of Kolkata, in the state of West Bengal (the state is used in India instead of the province). In this piece, I will try to take you through the "Indian-Chinese" community in India. And later, I would like to introduce someone who immigrated to Taiwan in 2007 for "love".
The Indian and Chinese civilizations are some of the oldest in the world. Being geographically closer to each other, both sides have influenced each other in many ways. The influence can be seen in some of the common words in a few of the Indian languages. For example, if we take the word "chini" (the meaning changes depending on the context) present in multiple Indian languages. In some languages, the "sugar" is called "chini," or also for the "porcelain dish," it is termed as "chini matti." The word "chini" resembles the name "China," reflecting the cross-cultural influence.
According to the information available in open sources, it is told that the first Chinese settler Tong Atchew came to India in the late 18th century. There are several variations of his names, such as Yang Dazhao or Yang Tai Chow. Atchew set up a sugar-making factory near Kolkata city. He also brought a few Chinese laborers to work with him as well. This has been marked as one of the first Chinese settlements in India. Following Atchew's footsteps, more immigrants, mainly from Guangdong province, started to come to India and settled in Kolkata city.
The Chinese immigrants who came to India were mostly from three regions. They got involved in several businesses in the area. The Hakka Chinese were engaged as cobblers and leather tanners; the Cantonese-speaking people got involved in carpentry works. Those from the Hubei province were mostly interested in the dentist's work. Some of them also opened up restaurants. As to cater to the local Indian tastes, some of them tweaked the Chinese food. Such fusion of cuisines from two different cultures came out to be known as "Indian-Chinese cuisines." Some of the famous Indian Chinese dishes are Gobi Manchurian, Chicken Lollipop, Chow Mein, and Chili Chicken, to name a few. "Indian-Chinese" dishes are widely popular in India after Indian food.
One of the darkest periods for the "Indian-Chinese" community was in 1962, it is when India and China clashed at the border. In December 1962, the Indian government came out with the Defence of India Act law. It led to Indian-Chinese settlers' mass arrests on suspicion of being enemies and colluding with the nation's enemies. Around 3,000 of them were arrested and sent to Deoli, Rajasthan, in India's western part. It was not until mid-1967 they were released. In between, some of the detained were deported back to China. Even after staying in India for decades, it was only from 1998 that the Indian-Chinese people were allowed to become naturalized Indian citizens.
With several ups and downs, the Indian-Chinese community has also moved. Now there are around 2000 in total in Kolkata city. If one visits the Tangra area and the Tiretta Bazar locality of Kolkata city. In that case, one can find the signs of the Chinese community. At present, most of them have moved to Mumbai city as well. Some of them have even transferred to different countries, such as to Taiwan.
In the next part, I will be sharing my recent interview excerpts with Mr. Anthony Liu. He originally hails from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. His passion for sports and food makes him popular among his pals. He also has a Dim Sum cuisine restaurant in Taipei, which he has been running for 13 years.
a) What brought you to Taiwan?
"Love." My wife is also an Indian overseas Chinese. She first came to Taiwan in 1999. She was studying at Taichung University, and then we got married, and I came to Taiwan.
b) How would you describe ethnically?
I am Indian-born Chinese. I was born and brought up in India, which makes me more Indian than anything else, I think, haha. My great grandparents are initially from Shandong Province, in China. They moved to India for business. In India, we used to have a restaurant, but we closed that now.
c) What challenges did you face at first in Taiwan?
Language. I couldn't understand or speak Mandarin at first. My language is Cantonese at home and, of course, mixed with Hindi, Bengali, and English. It's all a mixture of languages. It was very tough to get used to Mandarin.
Food usually gets a problem for people who come from India, but it was not for me. As I have always been working in the food industry, it is relatively easy to blend in.
d) How did you cope with your language?
I made local friends, it helped a lot. I spent time with them, mostly at early times in Taiwan, and with time and patience, my Mandarin improved.
e) Do you get involved in any activities in Taiwan involving India?
It is always Cricket. (Cricket is a game widely played in India and is considered another religion of India). It is something that takes me back to India. We even conduct tournaments, and it is widely popular among the expats who are in Taiwan. I try my best to take some time out to play.
f) Do you have any group among the Indian-Chinese community in Taiwan? If yes, how often do you all meet?
Yes. I do meet them but not as frequently. We all are busy with our own lives, but they do come sometimes to have a meal at my restaurant or meet them some time for coffee. And yes, sometimes they do some activities over the weekend, but I am busy on those days, so I couldn't meet them frequently.
g) Before the COVID-19 pandemic, how often did you go back to India?
At least once every 2 years. I do have a relative in Hong Kong. Before the pandemic, I used to go and meet her very often. But now, the pandemic has given a pause to it.
h) As you have your own restaurant in Taipei, how has your experience with it?
For 13years, I have been running the restaurant. It was first at the Civic Boulevard Road, then we moved to Jilin Road almost 10 years now. I have been quite lucky to be able to do so. Cooking is what I love.
i) What are the reactions of the customers when they realize you are from India?
I don't hide where I originally belong to. I am from India and call myself Indian overseas. It's surprising from the customers; they first think I am from Hong Kong, Singapore, and the list goes on. But, when they learn that I am from India, their jaw drops.
j) As Chinese New Year is coming, how do you plan to celebrate it this year?
As I am busy during the holidays, we usually travel out of Taiwan after holidays. But this year, like last year, we will travel within Taiwan and spend some quality time with family.
k) Did your family in Taiwan get used to Taiwanese culture now?
My daughters are born in Taiwan; they consider themselves Taiwanese.
l) If you have to describe Taiwan and India, how would you do it?
Both are different countries, people, and places. Each having its own beauty to admire of. And of course, both sides have their own challenges to meet; both are my home.
m) Any message to our readers?
To know India is not an easy thing. It is a big country. To understand it will take time. There are many things that I don't know about India. People say India is dirty, corrupted, and has lots of misconceptions about it, but you can't judge a book by its cover. You cannot understand by spending a week of travel in the country. So be open-minded.
Last but not least, I also want to wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year. May you have a good time with your family and friends.
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I am glad that I could meet Mr. Anthony, discussing several things, including his memorable experiences across India and Taiwan. Like many, he moved to a new country for his love and pursued his passion for cooking. I would wish him and everyone a Happy Lunar New Year, and may you cherish the moments with family and friends. Keep smiling.
*For the Chinese version, please find: 位於台北的香港茶餐廳，老闆竟是印度人？——Anthony Liu 與他的移民故事
執行編輯：蔡文晴
核稿編輯：林欣蘋
