The Goud Saraswat Brahmins who converted to Catholicism

The Goud Saraswat Brahmins who converted to Catholicism
My parents and my brothers at my Christening. Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz, Bombay. 1971

My parents and my brothers at my Christening. Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz, Bombay. 1971 Image and Narrative contributed by Wanda Naomi Rau, Mumbai This was an image taken at my christening at the Sacred Heart Church in Santa Cruz, Bombay (now Mumbai). My father had invited 100 people to celebrate that I, a girl was born nine years after two boys. My brothers even got the day off school. It was tradition in Goa to have at least one son carry the family name and another follow priesthood. My father José Luis Alvaro Remedios, from Saligao, Goa was to become a priest, since his older brother Hubert had moved to Bombay to pursue his Masters at St Xavier's College. Hubert, unfortunately died of Typhoid around the 1940's and my father had to leave the Seminary. However, The Seminary takes you through a tough academic route which covers both main stream subjects and theological studies. Perhaps his significant learning was that of Latin, which I regret I did not learn from my Father. However I think my love for history, academia and music is inextricably linked to my father's genes. My father moved to Bombay to look for a job. He began working with Reserve Bank of India, and held the job for 38 odd years until he retired as the Asst. Financial Controller. He met my mum, Maria Aida Bertila Silveira from St. Mathias, Goa, through a formal proposal. My Mum was 30 years old and he was 35 when they got married. They lived in Byculla for the early years and then moved to the Reserve Bank Quarters in Santa Cruz. My Mum was a home maker and raised two…

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Honeymoon in Simla

Honeymoon in Simla
My parents, Mr & Mrs Manchanda, on their Honeymoon in Simla, May 1977

My parents, Mr & Mrs Manchanda, on their Honeymoon in Simla, May 1977 Image and Narrative contributed by Isha Manchanda My father worked in Central Bank of India and retired as a bank manager  a few years ago. My mother taught English & Home Science at a Government School. My parents live in Delhi.

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Goans in Allahabad

Goans in Allahabad
My grandparents Ahilya & Pandurang Karapurkar with their eldest daughter Vijayalakshmi. Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, 1942

My grandparents Ahilya & Pandurang Karapurkar with their eldest daughter Vijayalakshmi. Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, 1942 Image and Narrative contributed by Madhav Pai, Mumbai My grandfather Pandurang Karapurkar was a banker. They belonged to Goa but emigrated to Allahabad, UP in the 1940s. The little girl in the picture is my aunt (mother's elder sister) and she retired a few years ago after serving as a high court judge.

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