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THIRD ANNUAL IAAC LITERARY FESTIVAL
NYU KIMMEL CENTER, WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK, NYC
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OCTOBER 7-9, 2016 |
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Saturday October 8th, 2016. 11:00 am - 12 noon |
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Session 1B
Anglo - Indian Literature |
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Reginald Shires in conversation with Blair Williams |
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The question, “How will posterity remember the Anglo-Indian community?”. Historically the Anglo-Indian community was defined by either English or Indian writers, and most of the descriptions were not complimentary - in fact many created (or reinforced) negative stereotypes of Anglo-Indian men and women. CTR books published 7 books, written by members of the community and those that knew them well, to provide a balanced view. |
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Reginald Shires |
An Anglo-Indian clergyman, grew up in Bangalore and studied Theology and English at Spicer College near Pune. He also received an MA in Theology from the seminary at Andrews University, Michigan. He was married to the late Norma (nee D’Sena from Ajmer) for over fifty years. They have a daughter, Juanita, and three sons Mike, Donn and Bob. He has authored several books, including The Leopard’s Call and At the Age for Love, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and other newspapers.
The Leopard’s Call, An Anglo-Indian Love Story, is a gripping account of a young husband and wife team. Norma and Reginald Shires, a nurse and minister, just two years into their marriage, set out to live in the wilderness grasslands of West Bengal, India, down from Bhutan. There they began teaching and building up a high school for students from rare tribal groups. From the very first page of this eloquent brief on living a simple life and raising a family in a jungle area, you become engrossed in a hilarious yet moving true story of their unforgettable world. Anglo-Indians have often distinguished themselves in sports, entertainment, medicine, education, the railway and telegraphs and in the armed services. This story is an example of those who devote their lives to those in need. |
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Blair Williams |
Blair Williams grew up in India between his home in the Andaman Islands and various boarding schools. He is a Chartered Engineer from London, worked as an officer (IRSME) on the Indian Railways for 15 years before immigrated to the US in 1976, where he was a manufacturing executive for 20 years and a professor for the last 10. His passions are CTR, a charity helping Anglo-Indians in India, and publishing books preserving Anglo-Indian culture. Curtain Call is his eight book in the Anglo-Indian genre. Website: http://www.blairrw.org/ctr He is married to Ellen (nee Gardner) for 52 years. Email: blairrw@att.net |
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