History Hour 93 – “Role of Luso-Indians in the Development of Western Medicine in 19th century Bombay” by Ms. Shirley Gonsalves held on Thursday, 6th August, 2015.

The talk was based on her recent research on the role of Luso-Indians in the development of western medicine in 19th century Bombay through looking at Goan and East Indian students at Grant Medical College. In her talk she will argue that these students helped to overcome traditional taboos within India and make the practice of medicine a socially acceptable profession.

Ms. Shirley Gonsalves is a UK based historian and writer of Goan origin with a special interest in the history of science and medicine. She is a graduate of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies and Imperial College, London as well as the University of Cambridge. She has been researching on the role of Luso-Indians in the development of western medicine in 19th century Bombay. She also has an interest in family history and as part of this research she is in the process of reprinting a book initially published by her Great Grandfather J.B. Pinto in the 1960s examining Goan emigration in the first half of the 20th century.