THE Chinese community in India is largely centred in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) and has been a part of the city for two centuries.

Most of them are from the Hakka community and they specialise in shoe-making and leather-tanning.

The other members are of Cantonese stock and are mostly carpenters.

Kolkata's Chinatown is in an area called Tangra, which was once dominated by leather tanneries and is now known for its Chinese restaurants.

The community is also known for its dentists and hairdressing salons, which are patronised by Kolkata's rich and famous, says a report by news agency Inter Press Service.

It is reported that there are now 5,000 Indian Chinese living in Kolkata, where once there were 30,000.

Most of the residents have migrated to countries like the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

There was also a Chinatown in the city of Mumbai, but the population has decreased due to migration.

According to Mumbai-based tabloid Mid-Day, there are about 400 members of the Indian Chinese community still living in the city.