Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated August 4, 1954: French may quit by Aug. 14

The whole of Pondicherry is in a jubilant mood since August 2 when news spread that the French are quitting Pondicherry and Karaikal, the two remaining French settlements, on August 14. The report spread like wildfire all over the town soon after a meeting of the chiefs of various Government departments was held under the presidentship of the Commissioner. It is reliably learnt that all French European officials have been asked to get ready to leave the French Indian settlements before August 14. A passenger ship is expected to arrive at Pondicherry during the next two days to take the families of the French officials. The officials themselves are scheduled to leave by another passenger ship on August 14, after handing over power, according to a French official. The official also said that members of the Pondicherry force were asked whether they would opt for service in other French colonies, and if so, such persons were asked to be ready to leave before the Indian Independence Day this year, it is understood. Meanwhile, there is a boom in the sale of imported goods consisting mainly of luxury articles. The plentiful stocks of these commodities in the showrooms till August 2 suddenly disappeared and several anxious purchasers were disappointed to be told that stocks were "exhausted", particularly in respect of certain rare silks, perfumes, wrist watches and similar luxury articles. A sudden insistence by the shopkeepers to be paid in Indian currency was keenly felt by astonished customers who brought with them only French Indian currency. Dealers in trunks and packing cases said they had a brisk trade on August 2, many of the French ladies having purchased all available packing cases. By evening, people everywhere were openly talking that the French Government had decided on quitting their settlements and were leaving finally within the next one or two weeks.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• The Hindu Crossword 8053
• Solution to puzzle 8052
• God is in everything
• dated August 4, 1954: French may quit by Aug. 14
• dated August 4, 1954: K-2 conquered
• dated August 4, 1954: Atomic Energy Department
• Weather

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu