Frank Anthony
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Anthony
Frank Anthony (Born 1908-Died 1993) was a prominent leader of the Anglo-Indian community in India, and was till his death their nominated representative in India’s Parliament.
Frank Anthony managed to secure from prime minister Nehru the right for the Anglo-Indian community, as the only minority community in India, to have its own representatives nominated to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) in India’s Parliament. Frank Anthony opposed the partition of India on the grounds that it would jeopardise the interests of the minority communities. When the future of India was being decided by the British, Muslim and Indian HIndu and Muslim leaders, he presented the Anglo-Indians case to Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, and they agreed to make special provisions for the Anglo-Indians in the Indian Constitution.
Frank Anthony was born in Jabalpur, in 1908. In 1942, he was elected the President-in-chief of the Community of the All India Anglo-Indian Association.
In October 1946, Mr. Anthony was selected as one of India’s principal delegates to represent the country in the first delegation from independent India to the United Nations. In 1948 and again in 1957, he was one of India’s representatives to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. Anthony’s greatest contribution was in the field of Anglo-Indian Education. In 1947, he was elected Chairman of the Inter-State Board of Anglo-Indian Education. He was also the Founder-Chairman of the All India Anglo-Indian Educational Trust which, today, owns and controls five schools named after him, The Frank Anthony Public and Junior Schools in Calcutta, Delhi and Bangalore.
Anthony had retired from practising as a lawyer, when Prime Minister Nehru in 1952, requested him to go to Peshawar and defend Mehr Chand Khanna, the ex-finance minister of North-West Frontier Province. In those days no Hindu lawyer would go to Peshawar. Following Frank Anthony’s discussions with the chief minister, Khanna was released. In 1978, Anthony assisted the Nehru family when Prime Minister Mrs. Gandhi was arrested and appeared before the Shah Commission.
Leslie Claudius
http://www.iloveindia.com/sports/hockey/players/leslie-claudius.html
Achievements: Figured in the Guinness Book of World Records for maximum number of Olympic medals in hockey (3 gold and 1 silver); Padma Shri in 1971
Leslie Claudius stands tall among a bevy of Indian hockey legends. Born on March 25, 1927, Claudius was hailed as one of the finest right-halves of his time.
For someone who started with football and even played in the IFA Shield, Leslie’s rise in the Indian hockey turf was meteoric. An ace right-half with great distribution and tackling skills, Leslie virtually owned that position in the world-beating Indian team that won three consecutive Olympic gold medals from 1948 to 1956.
Despite figuring in the Guinness Book of World Records for having won the maximum number of Olympic medals in hockey–three gold and a silver-Lesli Claudius would also be remembered as the captain of the Indian team that lost the Olympic gold in 1960 Tokyo Games after reigning supreme for 28 years.
Claudius was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971 for his contribution to Indian hockey.
As ragards Mr.Frank Anthony with all due respect to his contribution towards the A.I Movement in India not much mention is made of his Parents. I remember there was once a debate when I was small as to Whether Mr.Frank Anthony did really descend from a European from “His Paternal Side” of his family correct me If im mistaken because the defination of an Anglo-Indian on many of these Websites clearly states that an Anglo-Indian must have descended from a European from his Paternal Side!
Comment by andre erasmus — October 15, 2007 @ 3:09 pm |
Anglos abroad are living happy they got to leave india and never came back even though we are a small community no one helped eachother, there are still so many poor anglos in india struggling and we do nothing to help them, i have been to big parties and events held in banglore and other places but we dress up eat and dance and what about the others who don’t have the 500 or 1000 bucks to pay for the dinner.I am not proud to call myself an anglo for me it is a real disgrace to be a part of this community.
Comment by sara williams — December 9, 2007 @ 12:48 pm |
hey sara, i dont know how long u were in India or how much u know abt india…… but being from calcutta i can say that there are certain organizations such as CAISS, TRF and AIAI who are doing wonderful work there. CAISS for instance runs several camps and a night shelter for poor anglo indians who can come in an sleep on a nice warm bed for the night, instead of being out on the streets in the cold. AIAI also does a lot of good work. TRF runs several medical camps for the elderly Anglos. Besides these, there are the Anglo Indian clubs like Rangers and Grail Club, who do their bit, especially around Christmas with the old folks at home shows. The anglo indian schools also provide free educcation or charge close to nothing in some cases to poor anglo children. so i would say there are lots of anglos who still help one another and is still a tightly knit community. people from abroad still help with donations and those do not help, speak a lot about helping but fail to act – like you, sorry to say. The time is come to make a change. India’s economy is progressing faster and faster each day – lets not leave one Anglo behind in this proces. even a small contribution or step can make a difference.
Comment by Sean Auckland — December 9, 2007 @ 5:29 pm |
Sean, what planet are you from ?! I have been to Calcutta (lived there for over a year), and I have witnessed the misery of the poor Anglo-Indian. If, as you point out, there are funds available, nothing is going to the poor Anglo. But, as Frank Anthony once very famously pointed out, “The poor will always be with us — let us, instead, focus on creating an elite community”. Get the great man”s drift ?
Comment by Carlton Figg — January 15, 2008 @ 3:23 pm |
You were there for a year…… I was there for 22 years so I guess I may (may) have a better idea about the ground reality……. maybe when you were there funds were not trickling through…….. now they are……. besides how much money do you want to trickle through if all that the State Assembly budgets for Anglo Indian Community development is Rs. 1 Lakh only (if I am correct) and that will hardly make a difference….
In order to make us elite, the already elite need to chip in……. I intend to do my bit for the community once my studies are complete …….
Please do not bring Frank Anthony……. when he was offered an island in the Andamans for the Anglo Indians he refused ….. was that a sensible move? I guess not… if we had that island, we could have done more for the community and made their lives better….. we would have been in control of our actions and not been puppets to the idiocratic and beaurecatic politics with us being a miniority. We could have done a lot……..
For Anglos to rise as an elite community……… its not right to pull or hold down another Anglo while he/she is climbing up the ladder rather we should lend a helping hand……
the key word lies in COMMUNITY……… and that means not having 90% of it elite and 10% still suffering…….. no one gets left behind……
and that change in attitude begins within wach individual anglo Indian……..
Comment by Sean Auckland — January 16, 2008 @ 2:39 pm |
Sean,
You are a kid as when Frank Anthony,was offered the Andaman island,there was a reason why as I am 77 years of age & i was set to go as that was the time when the British handed over India to the indians to make it their Independence country,that what Mahatma Gandhi was trying all the long years,before he died,& the British offered the Andaman island for the Anglo-Indians to go & settle there which then was not a good idea for good reasons[ which cannot mentioned.]
so you not thought off,
Terence Lyons.
Comment by terence — October 13, 2009 @ 10:21 pm |
It was great reading you comments on the Anglos and the Andamans. I know that story too — I was almost there, in fact. And yes, Anthony blundered. Sorry for asking about your planet, Sean, old boy — seems your feet are on the ground here on earth. I agree with almost all your comments — except about funds for poor Anglos. I used to be a very poor Anglo. But I had to claw my way out of poverty all by myself . I did frequently seek help from the Anglo Association, but got nothing. That’s why I know that, though the funds are there, they are not being used at the grassroots. The Anglo MLA in Uttar Pradesh is allowed to access more than one crore rupees for the development of his constituency (Anglo-Indians). It would be interesting to know how much he accesses every year, and how the money has been utilised !
Keep up the good work, young man. Once again, my apologies for any initial nasty comments.
Comment by Carlton Figg — January 30, 2008 @ 1:42 pm |
Hi Carlton,
No hard feelings…….. ya i agree at times maybe the MLA’s or Association do not do enough……… thats why its up to each one of us to individually lend a helping hand.
Cheers
Comment by Sean Auckland — January 30, 2008 @ 3:10 pm |
‘They do not do enough” . I contradict that –they indeed do enough for themselves and their families. But to hell with the community, and the starving Anglo-Indians who are dependent on the crumbs from the rich Anglo-Indian tables !! I know of an Anglo-Indian Principal of one of Lucknow’s largest institutions — today, close to retirement, he owns two porsh apartments, each costing Rs. 32 lakhs or more. It would be interesting to find out where the Rs. 64 lakhs came from, considering that he draws a salary of just Rs.12,ooo per month (with accommodation and other perks) One can’t bring justice to the Anglo-in-the-street without first focussing on the blaggards who are using Anglo funds on themselves and their families.
Comment by Carlton Figg — February 5, 2008 @ 4:43 pm |
Hey — I am stunned ! I do not know where the above comments came from !! Somebody has obviously trespassed. However, this does not mean that I fail to agree with the said comments. But I would have employed gentler language. And yes, the Anglo-Indian community is definitely being used as an excuse to feather the nests of a microscopic few. But drawing room dialogues will get us nowhere. If they did, Frank Anthony would have been thrown out on his ear even before he staked his claim to Anglo leadership ! The community needs to set up a new line of leaders, all duly elected by Anglos via reserved constituencies. Did you even once stop to think how your local MLA was elected ? And that’s the trouble — he wasn’t elected. He was “nominated” — meaning, he is owned, heart and soul, by the government of the day. His loyalties lie with his Chief Minister, and not with the Anglo-Indian community which played no part in his elevation to that post. The system is obviously flawed, and these are flaws that won’t go away until we find a new breed of leader who can inspire the community to rise as one to fight for their rights and privileges. Sean Auckland, maybe ?
Comment by carlton figg — February 18, 2008 @ 12:50 pm |
Hey Carlton, I do not know who posted the comment before yours but your name was mentioned. Your right the leaders are “nominated” and in many cases politics both within and outside the community play a huge role. The time is coming soon when we need to rise above just looking at ourselves as attifacts from the British era and start to look at ourselves as people who shape tomorrow. There are several youth Anglo Indians leaders in the making who are shaping the future and I am gald and honoured to know quite a few of them – far more qualified than me. I thank you for the support of this blog and your comments.
Comment by Sean Auckland — February 18, 2008 @ 4:55 pm |
Hi Sean, I have discovered the name of the blogger who blogged in my name. No harm done, I guess. He’s family, so I reckon I have to take the rap (or whatever).
I’m delighted to learn that you know of young people who are ready to take the community forward. They need to be projected within and outside the community. I wasted my time being an armchair critic (actually, most of the time I was busy being a journalist). However, I have very often commented very critically on the sad lack of dedicated Anglo leadership. But we all know how water does its stuff on a duck’s back.
Keep doing what you are doing, young man. Devise a way to form a new line of leaders. My worst nightmare is the fear that this splendid community is going into
extinction.
Comment by Carlton Figg — March 3, 2008 @ 5:55 am |
Hello Sean,
My name is Harland Vincent and I have been settled in Nepal for the past 22 years. I am an Anglo Indian, who was born in Calcutta. I came to this Himalayan Kingdom when I was 20 years of age.
Firstly, Congratulations ! on your stellar achievement in devising this blog. Believe me, this is going to keep growing. It does make for very interesting browsing. It was long required and well executed.
The Anglo Indians have made a rather significant mark in the evolution of the education system here in Nepal. For the last 2 to 3 decades, a majority of educational institutions have sought the expertise of Anglo Indians to help assist as English Language teachers a well as with the rudimentary running of schools. It leaves one to wonder, how come facts of this feat have never surfaced amongst the niche advancements commonly chattered about within the community at large.
Well the crux of the matter lies in the fact that Nepal was the destination to head for if there was no favourable job opportunities within the city. During the late seventies, and through the eighties, there has been an significant influx of many an Anglo Indian. Most of these good folk took advantage of the qualities which are natural to us Anglo Indians, that is the ability to converse fluently in English, willingness to work hard, friendly and fun loving. Many a relationship has culminated from these associations as well.
I do have a lot of information I could provide you with about Anglo Indians in Nepal, for the benefit of readers spread all over the globe. I shall compile the same and upload it as soon as possible.
Care making a trip to this beautiful land? It’s one hell of a destination to vacation.
Do take care, and keep in touch.
Yours in brotherhood,
Cheers!!
Harley
Comment by Harland Vincent — May 1, 2008 @ 6:58 pm |
What I find quite interesting is the offer of A & N islands to Frank Anthony for the Anglo Indian community. It’s probably a good thing he did not accept this offer as this would have created a whole new spectrum of problems with relocation to an artificial cultural environment and existence. Not to mention the impact this would have had on existing cultural groups on the islands. It would have been a form of pseudo-colonization. Hasn’t colonization caused enough problems around the world?
Comment by Rochelle — May 14, 2008 @ 3:15 pm |
hi i m army officer—–liked these blogs.very interesting.i want to wk for welfare of this community and pl no recommendatios of NGOS .THEY ALL R FRAUDS.
CALL 9889197839
EMAILaniltewatia@hotmail.com
Comment by colonel anil tewatia — June 19, 2008 @ 4:14 am |
hi
we need to be more united in every aspect
organise some fetes/dances n help some of the poor
we should try n enlist some corporate support
Comment by vernon — August 18, 2008 @ 12:49 pm |
Anglo Indian’s in Bangalore
1. What is Anglo Indians in Bangalore (AIB)?
Anglo Indians in Bangalore (AIB) is a Bangalore based charity formed by Leroy Ashley Tills on 5th August 2008, shortly to be registered as a Non Profit Organization to help indigent Anglo-Indians in Bangalore.
2. How is AIB organized?
Each member (TL) would be in charge of the particular area he/she resides in, and report to a Manager (Board Member) incase if there is any Anglo family in that particular area that needs help, one of the member who resides in that area would visit the family to gauge the family and their status, all members would be provided with a guide book and trained by me on how to approach families and to find out cues if they genuine or not.
3. So, AIB is helping Anglo-Indians in Bangalore. Why?
Because the current Anglo associations in Bangalore are getting more famous for dances then helping the needy, not to say they do not help, but much more is required then what is done currently, and as I say, if we don’t help our own, who will….Animals?
4. Do both the parents have to be an Anglo-Indian to get help?
No, not like the current Anglo association who provide help only if both the parents are Anglo’s, we provide help even if one of the parent is an Anglo, Mom or Dad, Help provided would be on the discretion of AIB.
5. How do you generalize help?
Education is our top priority, however we would provide help in any way, as long as it helps the person to improve his/her way of life, if ever we come across a need that we haven’t come across, the boards members (Managers) would sit and brain storm over the issue, and decision would be final and added to our records.
6. How do you know the family you’re helping is genuine?
Though we do not promote helping monetarily, as we would provide the tangible things required by the respective families i.e. instead of paying cash for a family to buy groceries, we would buy it and hand it to them; same would go for everything else.
7. I am a working professional, how will I be a Member (TL)?
All our Members (TL’s) are working professionals, and there are no time restrictions for any AIB activities.
8. How do I join as a Member (TL)?
Join our community on Orkut http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community.aspx?cmm=53864242
Or call on 9740657240 or Email your interest Leroyashleytills@live.co.uk and you would be informed about when the next get-together is planned so that you can attend and join.
You can be from any race or culture, as long as you’re passionate to help Anglo-Indians.
9. Where can I get to see financial details of AIB’s activities?
A financial report would be posted to your mail ID, later it would be posted on the website once the website is up and running. This would contain detailed facts of money provided by members and beneficiaries, including the details of the families helped to attain 100% transparency.
10. Is anyone paid a salary at AIB and what benefits do the organizers receive?
No one associated with AIB is paid any salary or provided with any benefits, in cash or in kind. All associates of AIB are volunteers.
11. What are AIB’s administrative expenses?
AIB would work towards negligible administrative expenses, the only expenditure being the registration of the organization which would include paying our legal advisors at that time and registration charges, along with setting up the website, all these which would be a onetime expenditure which would be shared amongst our members equally.
12. What does AIB do to raise funds?
AIB is privately funded and all help that is required by Anglo families would be shared equally by them, we would also be open to donation after we begin operations and the proceeds would go entirely to help needy Anglo-Indians in Bangalore.
13. Are any projects outside Bangalore supported?
No. Only projects in Bangalore are supported.
14. How are projects in Bangalore selected?
Suggestions for projects to be supported are entertained from any person.
The primary criteria for selection are:
1. The recipients are needy Anglo-Indians who are trying hard, but cannot make ends
Meet.
2. There is a very reliable and trustworthy Member, in each area, for each project.
15. How is money collected and how is it tracked?
Money would be collected on our monthly meetings, amount collected would be only the amount required at that time, nothing more, *this would be handed out on the very same day to all the respective Members (TL’s) who have provided the list of families/requirement who need help, later the member (TL’s) would provide all bills/receipts. All financial transactions will be recorded in the association ledger.
*Very shortly this would change and Members (TL’s) would be paid by cheque for records and transparency purpose once the bank account opened.
16. What is AIB’s mission?
AIB’s mission is:
1. Helping fellow Anglo-Indians
2. Total Transparency
3. Doing more, talk less
17. Where can I get more information?
Once the website is up, you can know us from there, but till then you can mail your queries to leroyashleytills@live.co.uk or call on 9740657240
Comment by Leroy Ashley Tills — September 18, 2008 @ 6:24 pm |
As Kolkota has this red ration card system, can anyone help me out with the information of what is the karnataka state benefits for Anglo-Indians, im proud to be an Indian, but im prouder to be an Anglo-Indian, and im fed up with all these association trying to make money and have dances and “show”that they are helping Anglo’s, thats why im starting this community, and there has been a good response.
We also are planning to register this community.
any kind of thoughts and guidiance on how we go about it will be great.
Leroyashleytills@live.co.uk
Comment by Leroy Ashley Tills — September 18, 2008 @ 6:28 pm |
hi, just to keep you all posted, after me writting this blog, i too things serious and went and registered the organization as a NGO, our registration number is SOR/DR/727/2008-2009, we now report to the karnataka state government, we launched operations on nov-01-2008 and we are going leaps and bounds, thank you to all the people who supported me and who continue to do so.
Comment by Leroy — February 7, 2009 @ 6:23 am |
Can some one tell me about a George Barton who formed the Telegraph Union – me late father often spoke about him
Comment by Chris Walker — April 16, 2009 @ 8:40 am |
I live in Atlanta, GA. Most people will be surprised that I’m Tamil with light skin. They think we are north Indians. Fact is, we are Anglo-Indians. Even though we grew up in a tight-knit community, are family was too ashamed to admit that fact and pretended to be Indians. Yes, it was competitive and we did try to bring each other down due to the fact that each knew that we weren’t the Indians that we pretended to be. In short, lots all be honest of who we are so we can help.
Comment by Davan Mani — May 13, 2009 @ 6:03 am |
There is a little good and a little bad in all communities, but it’s sad to say that the majority of the well-off anglos are selfish and snobbish. The community is full of back-biters and you will rarely find true blue brotherhood among anglos.
Of the many who have left India, there is a vast majority who care little or nothing about those unfortunate enough not to have found a better life. And there are some here who are more bengali than anglo…i wouldn’t want to be put into the same bracket with them.
Comment by mike — June 25, 2009 @ 1:58 pm |
Can we now add Russel Peters?
He is probably the best known Anglo-India in the world right now and likely the richest and only one who can fill a stadium of over 20,000 to capacity! Does that not merit him credit on this blog?
Comment by Ishan Ghosh — October 22, 2009 @ 5:36 pm |
OK, how about Cliff Richard and Englebert Humperdinck?
Or is the fact that after you immigrate you don’t count as a famous Anglo-Indian?
Comment by Ishan Ghosh — October 22, 2009 @ 5:38 pm |