Doing Time with Nehru – The Story of an Indian–Chinese Family

Set against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian Border War, this memoir recounts the harrowing experiences of a Chinese-Indian family facing internment and their journey toward healing and understanding.

Doing Time with Nehru – The Story of an Indian–Chinese Family is a poignant memoir that recounts the harrowing experiences of the Chinese-Indian community during the tumultuous period following the Sino-Indian Border War in 1962. The narrative begins with a chilling scene of midnight raids, as armed men forcefully invade homes, instilling fear in the hearts of families. For many, this was not just a nightmare but a grim reality, particularly for the ethnic Chinese who had established their lives in Northern India.

The author, Yin Marsh, shares her personal story, beginning with her own traumatic experience at the age of thirteen when her father was taken away. Yin, along with her grandmother and younger brother, was subsequently imprisoned and later transported to the Deoli internment camp in Rajasthan. This camp, where they were housed in the same bungalow once occupied by Prime Minister Nehru during India’s struggle for independence, serves as a poignant symbol of the injustices faced by her family and others like them.

After enduring the harsh conditions of internment, Yin eventually emigrated to America, where she built a new life, marrying and raising a family. However, the emotional scars of her past remained unspoken until her daughter’s curiosity prompted Yin to confront her history. Through her reflections, Doing Time with Nehru not only sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Indian history but also explores themes of resilience, identity, and the lasting impact of trauma on future generations.