Umbilical Corda

Vegemite Vindaloo: The North Point feedback

`Sursum Corda' is the motto of my alma mater, St Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling. It is Latin for ``lift up your hearts'' and the Himalayan boarding school created special bonds among students of every background and religion; bonds that exist today, two decades or more after we graduated from one of the more extraordinary educational institutions in the world.

The umbilical cord (or umbilical Corda, as the case may be) that still connects is with what we fondly refer to as ``the school on the hill'' still exists, as you'll see from these emails received from alumnus all round the world.


``Just to let you know that I picked up a copy of 'Vegemite Vindaloo' from India Book House when I passed through Calcutta a few days ago.
I haven't started on it yet but on first glance and reading a little here and there, it's definitely given me the impression of being catchy and an easy read for anybody. I'm really looking forward to going through it and shall give you later impressions....later.
My brother who lives in Hong Kong, and who attended the NP reunion in Chiangmai last year, was with me when I purchased the book so, this gave me another opportunity to gloat about famous people I had the privilege of attending the same school with.
Anyway, we are all so proud of your book. Keep 'em coming.......''
Ashok Sadhwani

``Ashok, kindly mail me your copy of this book when you get back stateside! Or buy an extra copy and let me know what it cost. It is evidently unavailable here, and we want to boost David's royalties don't we? :-) Congrats David. One of these days we'll make it to the southern hemisphere.''
Farhad Anklesaria

``Well done. I read about your book while browsing on a domestic Indian flight. I think it was Swagat, the Indian Airlines inflight magazine. Is this your first novel? Keep them rolling out.
So you can rest assured that they read about you 33,000 ft above sea level! And David, your photographs are good on the blog site. It takes an artist to drink in nature's colours that we often forget to notice in fruits and vegetables. Keep banging the keyboard, wordsmith.''
Jugu Abraham

``It gives me great pride to tell some of my pals and colleagues that this author and I were in the same school.''
Siddhartha Bhattacharjee

``I guess i will have to go to DC to the Library of Congress & swipe their copy! Great to see the responses of our NP brethren. We are all very proud of you, me lad!''
Nowshir and Avi Bilimoria

``Rich & Famous? Congratulations! Fr. Tucker's classes paid off. Been a while, keep in touch,
and all the best in life.''
Ashok Malhotra

``You should be putting the acknowledgement to the school magazine that gave u the foundation to the story writing that you do so well now. Please keep a newsletter going thru the net if possible. That way we all can share in your exploits and more.''
Prashant Mohapatra

``I was at a party today and bragging to all my friends about the great author who has written this fantastic book, who was my junior in school. Keep it up. Sursum Corda!''
Rajesh Poddar

``Congratulations, David, and thanks, Ashok, for the news about the book. I am looking forward to reading the novel.''
Soumitra Ghosh

``I've just finished reading your book and I must say "it was fantastic!" It is so relevant to the
Anglo-Indian community of Kolkata. Who better can understand the sentiments of this book than us Kolkatans.
Do let me know when you write the next one. I would like to read it. An autographed copy would be welcome. This time not because you are from NP but because I loved your writing. I've come across the word 'dame' after more than 3 decades. I'm passing this book on to Cyrus Madan who also wants to read it.
I would however like to make a few observations that I have. They are facts as I know them. You may have had your reasons to make the subtle changes while writing
the book or I could be wrong.
The serai (earthen pot) is actually the SURAHI. You have probably spelt is as the Anglo Indians pronounce it.
The red chillis are taken in a clenched fist which is then swirled around the head and then the chillis thrown in the kitchen fire. If there is smoke with chilli fumes the evil spirits are thought to have been driven away. If not this has to be repeated. This is a very North Indian superstition which is followed in Rajasthan, UP and a bit in Bihar.
Rajesh Poddar