"I was born here and feels proud as an Indian": Chinese people living in Kolkata

By Hemanta Kumar Nath
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 23 : The Chinese-origin people who have been living in Kolkata for the last several decades expressed their pleasure to be living in India and said that they will always support the country and the Army whenever the time comes.
Akhaluu, a 67-year-old Chinese origin who is now living along with his family in the Tiretta Bazar area near Lalbazar in West Bengal's capital city Kolkata told ANI, "I was born here and feels proud as an Indian. We always support India. We also support the Indian army and police. We also respect the people of India. We are Indians and if needed we will extend our support to the Indian army. We want India should win everywhere."

There are around 2000 Chinese origin people who are living in the Tiretta Bazar area and China Town area in Kolkata.
On the other hand, 62-year-old Hsinyuanchiu said that if needed they will support India.
"I am very proud as an Indian citizen because I was born here and love India. In future also we will support India. We are following the Indian culture and we will also teach it to our new generation," Hsinyuanchiu said.
The Chinese Indian people are living in the area in a fusion of culture, traditions, and foods and they established many Chinese restaurants, cousins etc.

Both Chinatown and Tiretta Bazar area have now become a tourist attraction place.
There is a Chinese Kali Temple located in the Chinatown area and a Chinese temple located in the Tiretta Bazar area which has also become a tourist hotspot.
Chen Me Yein, a lady said that we are very happy being an Indian.
"My grandfather came here in 1942 and I was born in Kolkata. We are very proud of staying here. Being an Indian we are very happy," Chen Me Yein said.
The people from China came to India in the 18th century during British rule and started living in Kolkata.

The number of Chinese people living in Kolkata has now reduced to around 2000 as many people have gone to other countries.
Francein Liu, a resident of the Chinatown area told ANI that the East India Company brought all Chinese people to Kolkata (earlier known as Calcutta) to work in a sugar mill.
"Some people who earlier lived in Central Avenue came to here (Chinatown) and established a leather factory here. We were born here and we like Indian culture and the local people also like Chinese culture. We are staying together. We don't have any issues. Many Chinese Indian people are running many Chinese restaurants here," Francein Liu said.
55-year-old Chen also said that they are very happy living as Indian citizens.

With different cultures, traditions, and foods, the Chinese people and local Indian people are living in the area in a peaceful environment and are trying to strengthen communal harmony.