Anglo-Indians pledge to save their ethnicity

BANGALORE: A convention of Anglo-Indian community was held in the city on Sunday. Member of Parliament Charles Dias inaugurated the convention. The purpose of the meet was to underscore the need for the second generation leaders and start an exclusive matrimonial service for the community. A decision was also taken to save their ethnicity from the verge of extinction. The local Anglo-Indian MLA Derrick Fullinfaw, who represents the Bangalore Anglo-Indians’ Guild, maintained that the community has very little presence in Karnataka and they need to focus on training the second rung leaders. They need to inculcate a sense of belongingness and inspiration to climb up the social ladder.  “We need to protect our culture and train our youths to take up higher positions in public service. In Kerala, we have 1 lakh population. But in Karnataka, we are only 8,000. We may become extinct, if proper care is not taken. Therefore, we would have to start an exclusive matrimonial service which will ensure the purity of our ethnic group,” Said Derrick Fullinfaw. He further noted that a resolution to prevent the harassment of Anglo-Indians all over India in disputes related to personal property has been proposed. Loans ranging from `10,000 to 25,000 is being provided by the government for their welfare, he added. The MLA claimed that he has coordinated with the CM for scholarships of `3,000 per annum for Anglo-Indian PUC students, `4,000 for Degree students and `5,000 for higher education.  The students must provide income certificate showing that their parents’ salary do not cross `2 lakh per annum to get this scholarship,                       he noted.Speaking on the occasion, Charles Dias said, “A number of schemes like housing schemes are available for Anglo-Indians all over the country. But the community members are not reaping the benefits of these schemes. We need coordination among ourselves to utilise the schemes and push our community’s growth,” he felt. He also sought the setting up of a federation comprising the representatives from the Anglo-Indian Associations. Further Both MP and MLA, along with Guild members, decided to have 23 leaders and MLAs from the Anglo-Indian Associations and a dedicated youth wing be set up to organise the State Convention before  September 1, 2012.