At its peak, the Chinese community, comprising of Hakka-speaking immigrants, in Calcutta numbered 20,000. Then the 1962 India-China War happened and that lead to a drastic reduction in numbers, especially after the entire ethnic Chinese population was interned in a camp in Rajasthan for a few years!
The remnants of this community live in an area which is a walking distance from the West Bengal government's main offices. Small lanes have buildings with Chinese signs and decorations. Mothers take their daughters in cycle rickshaws to school, old men share a laugh at a food stall and older women, who probably have fascinating stories walk to their homes.
I tried some of the Chinese food being sold on the streets and I certify that it is indeed delicious. The community now numbers around 2000 and is dying. I honestly wish there were more Chinese people here, given the fact that they are great businessmen and job generators. Look what the Chinese community has managed to achieve in Malaysia.
The remnants of this community live in an area which is a walking distance from the West Bengal government's main offices. Small lanes have buildings with Chinese signs and decorations. Mothers take their daughters in cycle rickshaws to school, old men share a laugh at a food stall and older women, who probably have fascinating stories walk to their homes.
I tried some of the Chinese food being sold on the streets and I certify that it is indeed delicious. The community now numbers around 2000 and is dying. I honestly wish there were more Chinese people here, given the fact that they are great businessmen and job generators. Look what the Chinese community has managed to achieve in Malaysia.
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