A trip down memory lane is how one can describe this interview with Carolyn and Dr Sahdev Passey who have not only been champions in the Indian American Community but have shown their commitment and dedication to various causes Their efforts speak volumes of their work, in the area of Health care, education within the Worcester public schools as well as in ISW, in cultural amalgamation and in bringing up three children in an interracial family with comfort and success.

It was in 1973 that Dr Passey first came into this country and landed at the Worcester City Hospital as a student of medicine. It was a home away from home because more than 80% of medical students at that time were from India studying or practicing various aspects of medicine. Dr Passey reminisces, “The resident houses had 32 apartments and it was a perennial open house for all of us”. Was food and grocery easily available then? Says Dr Passey, “We had a restaurant called Annapoorna run by Dr Lingappa, a Professor of Holy Cross, and it  served excellent Indian Food. There were no grocery stores at that time and people sold groceries from their homes. We always waited to see if anyone would go to New York since that is where one bought the grocery”. By the 1980’s however groceries and restaurants opened and Worcester became quite a hub for the Indian community.

In 1975, Dr Passey met Carolyn who was a nurse at the same hospital and very soon they became good friends. Says Carolyn Passey, “The physicians were all so friendly. Dr Passey and I became close and he had originally planned to go back to India and get married”. But fate ruled otherwise and the couple soon settled down in Worcester. “The community embraced me right away. There were fewer mixed marriages at that time, yet his family was very warm and affectionate. My parents and my grandmother to whom he had helped professionally with her health issues loved him right away. Now when I look back, I know I made the right choice and have no regrets.”

I asked Carolyn how she adapted to her new family and culture.” It was easy because I was accepted very well. As to food, I learnt quite a few vegetarian dishes although my repertoire was only Italian at that time. I picked up a few phrases and words in Hindi too although I admit I am not fluent at all. However I did help start the Hindi School with the help of Nalini Goel, 15 years back so that kids find a common ground with others who are just like them and help understand the culture they are coming from.”

Community involvement remains a big part of their lives. Dr Passey who hails from Bhopal became active soon after the Bhopal Gas tragedy. “In 1984, when the disaster struck, I organized an effort to gather medicines and other supplies for the victims. That was my first venture into India Society. Soon I found myself interested in other causes as well and became involved in  IMANE and ISW. How does he view the community’s involvement in mainstream affairs? “I want to see more, “he admits, “We are so rich in our heritage and now have been increasing in numbers. We need to flex our political muscle and contribute much more. I hope the second generation will get involved in local causes within their town and in mainstream activism. We need to be more accepting of the American culture. Four years back, we made an effort to hold an Asian festival here in Worcester where people from other ethnic groups like Vietnam, Laos , Cambodia , China and other South East Asian countries participated and it was a huge success. As an affluent community we need to help others too. In Worcester we have started teaching English to some of the non English speaking immigrants. There is a lot we can do as a community”. Carolyn agrees and sums it up saying, “If we respect each other’s culture, we can learn a lot from each other. To have the best of both the worlds that is the happy balance”

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