Kolkata: Bow Barracks, the only Anglo-Indian enclave in the city, voted in large numbers on Saturday.
Community members, both young and old, voted mostly during the first half of the day. An assistance booth was set up in Bow Barracks to assist the voters. Those manning the booth were also from the Anglo-Indian community.
“There is always great enthusiasm among the community to vote on election day.People get ready in the morning and go to vote with their families,” said Angela Govindraj, a resident of Bow Barracks. “Our polling booth is in a neighbouring school, so the entire exercise of voting took around 20 minutes,” said Sandra Rosario, another resident.
Bow Barracks, flanked by BB Ganguly Street and Ganesh Chandra Avenue on either side, was built in 1918 to accommodate soldiers during World War 1. When KIT was expanding Central Avenue, several displaced Anglo-Indian families were rehabilitated in Bow Barracks. It has 132 flats with almost 80% Anglo-Indian residents. Several Chinese, Muslim and Bengali families, too, stay in Bow Barracks.
In the 1980s, KMDA had directed the residents to move out of Bow Barracks. The Trinamool government has carried out long pending repairs at Bow Barracks a few years ago.
“The state government is helping us in turning Bow Barracks into a tourist destination,” said a resident of Bow Barracks.
Political parties campaign in the area to woo the local voters. “Candidates from all the parties visited the area and requested us for our votes. Members of most political outfits visit us during Christmas,” said a resident of Bow Barracks. “Since it is a holiday, many families get together for a small party in the evening.”