Saying cheers to community spirit

Bonding matters

The City is playing host to one of the biggest Anglo-Indian reunion that the country has seen. “It’s about time we had one,” says Creswell Weightman, the founder member of Anglos United, an umbrella organisation for the welfare of the community.

All these years the members of the community kept in touch with each other on the social networking sites. And the occasional reunion that mostly took place abroad was difficult to attend because it was too expensive. Feeling the need to come together for some good old bonhomie, Jamboree 2010 was thought of.

Creswell says that earlier events called the September Reunion were held in Toronto every three years. “We noticed that not many families could afford to travel that far. If a family had to attend one of these reunions, it had to spend a minimum of Rs 2 lakh. It just didn’t make sense so we thought that it is high time we brought the party back home since India is the original home of Anglo-Indians,” says Creswell.

Being held between October 26 and 30 at the Palace Grounds, the organisers are expecting a huge turnout. “There are around 3,000 Anglo-Indians in Karnataka out of which 1,500 of them are in Bangalore itself. Plus, we are also expecting the members from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong and the Middle East. If you take into account the other guests (allowed only as Anglo-Indian members’ guests), the numbers will add up to at least 10,000 people,” Creswell explains.

Talking about the event, Creswell says that the five days will see a hoard of happenings like Family and Carnival Day, Games of Skill, Housie, Exhibition-cum-Sale of Anglo-Indian Art and Craft, and there will also be a Children’s Game Centre.

The highlight, however, is going to be the Anglo-Indian Food Festival and the Seven-a-side Hockey Festival. “Hockey is a popular game of our community. The seven-a-side format, will have five men and two women in each team. This format is played regularly, every time we meet,” says Creswell. 

As for the food festival, Creswell says that the cuisine will be a blend of European and local items like coconut rice, ball curry and will also include signature dishes like Vindaloo and Jal Frezi. “The festival is not only about getting together but also about making our younger generation aware about the community,” he says.

To cater to the young crowd, there will be pageants to find an Anglo-Indian Prince and Princess, and an Anglo-Indian Idol. For the music lovers, two professional bands – Steam and Fourstrokes – have been lined up on the final day. There will also be a special performance by Australia-based Anglo-Indian singer Terry Misra.

“It is going to be a grand affair. No reunion of ours is complete without a dance party. And we are making sure that even the poorest can party out here,” Creswell signs off.

Entry on first three days is free, however, there will be an entry fee on the last two days of the meet.

October 27

Family and Carnival Day
Anglo-Indian Food Festival
Seven-a-side Hockey Festival
Games of Skill, Housie, Children Game Centre
Exhibition cum sale of Anglo Indian Art and Craft
Music and Dance Sessions by Lourd Vijay
Time : 11 am to 10 pm

October 28

Family and Carnival Day
Anglo-Indian Food Festival
Seven-a-side Football Festival
Talent contest for the ‘First Anglo Indian Idol’
Exhibition cum sale of Anglo-Indian art and craft
Time : 11 am to 10 pm

October 29

Family and Carnival Day
Anglo Indian Food Festival
Pageant Contest for the Anglo Indian Princess and Prince
Exhibition cum sale of Anglo Indian Art and Craft
Time : 11 am to 10 pm

October 30

Finals of the Jamboree Prince and Princess contest
Finals of the Anglo-Indian Idol Contest
Grand Gala Jamboree Dine and Dance
Closing ceremony
Time: 4 pm to 11 pm.