Today, fifty years after the merger, if one looks back, one could ask 'What is left of the French presence or more accurately the French 'particularity' of Pondicherry?'

Apart from the French Lycée, the French Institute, the Alliance Française, an initiative to preserve the colonial architectural heritage of the town has recently been undertaken by INTACH [The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage]. With the support of the European Community (Asia Urbs) this project progresses swiftly. It has been taken seriously by the local government which has understood that it is the best way to attract tourists to Pondicherry.

Mentalities are fast changing; the colonial period is no more something taboo. Even some of those who fought with the great ardor against 'French Imperialism' now admit that everything was not bad with the French.

Text: Claude Arpi; photograph: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images