Businessman Ernest Timothy McCluskie, who founded McCluskieganj in the 1930s, did not live to see his dream in tatters. Thanks to state apathy, the promised land for Anglo Indians fell short of its promise. But the lone Anglo-Indian representative in the state Assembly Glen Joseph Galstaun is trying to revive it.
BJP leader late J.P. Galstaun's son and now the nominated MLA in the 82-member state Assembly for almost five years, Galstaun knows he has a tough job. Once known across the world for its scenic beauty and piquant mini-England appeal, McCluskieganj today is dying without enough economic opportunities.
Youths of the town with a population of 3,000 are a frustrated lot with little to do, farming always being a tough proposition in the hilly town due to its topography and other jobs being scarce.
The only vibrant hub is the Don Bosco Academy, an ICSE school of repute run by former nominated MLA A.D. Rosario, as well as a clutch of other schools and hostels and guesthouses that cater to students and parents.
But, to his credit, MLA Galstaun is trying.
Galstaun, who recently renovated Sacred Heart Catholic Church, is now approaching BJP bigwigs to boost the area's economy.
The MLA has requested chief minister Raghubar Das to improve roads and power supply, health minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi to upgrade the town's primary health centre to ensure round-the-clock doctors, tourism minister Amar Kumar Bauri to make its tourist information centre functional and set up hotels and restaurants run by Jharkhand State Tourism Development Corporation and rural development minister Neelkanth Singh Munda to ensure smooth execution of schemes under his jurisdiction.
Galstaun himself knows these changes will take time. But, he believes in making a difference by speaking up in the House on the issues often.
"I speak up in the House. And some changes are visible, for instance, strengthening and widening of Ranchi-Khelari Road to McCluskieganj has begun. Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd general manager recently assured me that the installation of new feeders will begin soon," he said.
He rues that though one doctor comes to the health centre six days a week, it is not the same person everyday. Doctors are rotated, a big grouse of patients. "But, the health minister has told me that more doctors will be posted in McCluskieganj," Galstaun said.
Ask Galstaun about what could be the town's game-changer, and his face lights up. "Tourism, including film shoots. The place is full of natural beauties," the MLA enthuses. "But, absence of hotels and restaurants is a big hindrance. Whatever economy there is thrives on a handful of schools and hostels. Youths migrate elsewhere in search of jobs. If tourism is promoted in a big way, McCluskieganj won't look back."
Sylvia Tesera, the daughter of one of the oldest residents of the town, fondly called Kitty Memsaab, agreed. "Tourism and roads can change so many lives here," she said.
Also agreeing with MLA Galstaun on the need for tourism, resident Nelson Paul Gordon, who runs a hostel and a guesthouse, said Anglo-Indian and Christian tribal residents here would have starved had it not been for the emergence of schools. "When the Rosarios decided to set up Don Bosco in early 1990s, they said running hostels for students and guesthouses for parents and visitors will be our business," he said.
