Around 1900, a young bachelor named Celeriano deSouza, my grandfather, migrated for better economic opportunities from the Portuguese colony of Goa to the British colony India’s newest town, Karachi (population at that time:16,000). The Goans contributed significantly to the development of the town and other areas that became Pakistan, in schools, hospitals, professional services, judiciary, and public and government service. Manuel Misquita, a Goan, was Mayor of Karachi 1945 to 1946. Here, my grandfather is pictured in 1902 (in a suit, third from left) at a community picnic at Pir Mango (Manghopir) on the outskirts of Karachi.



PHOTO: ROLAND DESOUZA



CONCEPT: SANAM MAHER



DESIGN: SAMRA AMIR



This August, The Express Tribune will feature photographs from contributions to an open call for images from the struggle for independence and Pakistan’s formative years.



Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2014.