Memories: Bombay 1950s: Ex-Sighting Oxford University!
After finishing school from Antonio Da Silva, Dadar, Bombay, in 1953, I joined the science course at Wilson College near Chowpatty Beach. I had no interest in science studies. I joined only on my father's insistence. A common belief those days was that for any ordinary family to come up the children had to seek careers in medicine, engineering or law. My English professor at Wilson was John Lyle. He graded my first essay as excellent. He read the second and said, 'John, why are you here? You should major in English. You can then get a scholarship to Oxford. I'll introduce you to the British Council's head here, Mr Voden. He'll help you.' I met Mr Voden. And I told him why my father would not allow me to major in English. Then I gave him my handwritten novel and asked if he could help me to publish it He read a page.or two. It was a Wodehouse-imitation novel - with English characters who arrive by steamship in Bombay. I had seen a steamer only from the docks. Nor had I any direct knowledge of what I described in the story. Mr Voden smiled: 'Sorry. You must write of what you really know...Or...a fairy tale!'
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