Our Activities
Annual Day celebrations
Most Rev. Anil J T Couto, Archbishop of Delhi was the Chief Guest and Rev. Msgr. Gabriele Pesce, First Secretary to Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Dr. Charles Dias, Ex-MP and President FAIAI and representative of CBCI were the guests of honour. A Souvenir was released to commemorate the occasion
The first Annual Day of the Association was celebrated on 5th March, 2017 at the premises of CFI Charitable Trust, Lajpat Nagar-3. Mr. George Baker, MP, was the Chief Guest. Dr. Charles Dias, Ex-MP and President of the Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India, was also present.
Christmas Carnival
A Christmas Carnival was organized by AIWA in the premises of Holy Name Church, Gurgaon on December 10, 2017, in order lift the Christmas Spirit of the entire Archdiocese.
The Awakening – Know Your Rights
Before the outbreak of the pandemic, we could organize an Anglo-Fest at the Diocesan Community Centre, 1 Ashok Place, New Delhi, entitled “The Awakening – Know Your Rights”. Mr. George Baker, MP, Denzil Godin, MLA from UP, Dr. Charles Dias, and Mrs. Ursula Foseberry, President and Secretary of the Federation respectively, were the main speakers.
Demonstration at Jantar Mantar
Through the 126th Constitutional amendment the provision for nomination of MPs to Lok Sabha and one MLA each to the State Legislative Assembly from the Anglo-Indian Community was taken away on the pretext that there are only 296 Anglo-Indians in India.
- The Association is one with the Federation in the struggle to help get back these provisions in the Constitution.
- AIWA organized a demonstration on March 5, 2020 at Jantar Mantar to protest against the removal of the provision for nominating MPs and MLAs from the Anglo-Indian Community. Mr. Hibi Eden, MP (Congress) and Mr. Derek O’Brien, MP (TMC), Dr. Charles Dias, Ex-Anglo-Indian MP and President of the Federation and other dignitaries were present and spoke on the occasion.
- The members of the Association met various Ministers and submitted Memoranda to them.
The AIWA again organized a Sit-in-Dharna at Jantar Mantar on 9th October, 2022 demanding restoration of Article 334B of the Constitution of India that provided two seats in Lok Sabha and one seat each in State Legislative Assemblies by nomination from the Anglo-Indian Community.
Issues of Anglo-Indians taken up with the Government.
The representatives of the Anglo-Indian Community were in constant touch with the government hierarchy on several matters, including: (1) restoring the Anglo-Indian nominations to Parliament and State Assemblies under Article 334(b), which were discontinued with effect from January 26, 2020, based on an erroneous figure of only 296 Anglo-Indians recorded in the 2011 Census; (2) allotment of land and funds for a Community Centre for the Anglo-Indian Community in Delhi under the PMJVK scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs; (3) appointment of a Nodal Officer for the Anglo-Indian Community; (4) appointment of a commission to conduct a study on the plight of the Anglo-Indian Community; (5) restoration of 5% reservation for Anglo-Indians in professional studies; and other related issues.
In this connection, meetings were held with the Vice President of India, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu; Mr. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union Minister for Minority Affairs; Mrs. Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Minority Affairs; Mr. John Barla, Minister of State for Minority Affairs; and Mr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, among others.
Christmas & New Year Celebrations
On Sunday, December 19, 2021, the Christmas and New Year celebrations of AIWA were held at St. Michael’s School Auditorium, Pusa Road, New Delhi. Most Rev. Vincent M. Concessao, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Delhi, was the main celebrant for the Holy Mass, and Rev. Fr. Jervis D’Souza, Deputy Secretary General, CBCI, gave the Homily.
Mr. John Barla, Minister of State, Ministry for Minority Affairs, was the Chief Guest. Mrs. Nancy Barlow and Mr. S. Ajitpal Singh Bindra, Members of the Delhi Minority Commission (DMC), and Dr. Charles Dias, President of the Federation of Anglo-Indian Association in India (FAIAI), were the Guests of Honour.
First Deanery-wise gathering
The Executive Committee of AIWA held the maiden Deanery-wise gathering for the Western Deanery on 23rd April 2023 at Our Lady of Graces Church, Vikaspuri, New Delhi. Being Easter Season, the programme started with prayer and song invoking Jesus the Light of the World by everyone holding lighted candles. It was a meaningful celebration with games and dance concluding with agape meal.
World Anglo-Indians Day Celebrations
The members of AIWA had a grant celebration of the World Anglo-Indians Day on 25th August, 2024 at CFI Bhawan, Lajpat Nagar-3, New Delhi. The celebration began with Holy Mass followed by fellowship meal, tamnbola, games and dance. Anglo-Indians from various parts of Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad and NOIDA carried the joyful mood back home. Four young Anglo-Indian achievers were given ‘Certificate of Recognition’ for their achievements in various fields.
Easter Glitz - AIWA Easter Celebrations
The members of AIWA celebrated Easter on Sunday 20th April 2025 at Munirka Enclave Community Centre, Nelson Mandela Marg, New Delhi. Over 100 members participated. The hallmark of the day was live band, dance, hamper draw, tambola, games for children, a spread of mouth-watering buffet lunch. The programmes that began at 11.30 am went up to 6.00pm. All were very happy to have celebrated Easter very meaningfully with the community members and also expressed a desire to attend more such programmes
Visit to Grant Govan Home for Elders
The Anglo-Indian Welfare Association (AIWA) organized a visit to the Grant Govan Home for Elders, a home established for the welfare and care of the Anglo-Indian Community. The visit provided an opportunity to interact with the residents, understand their needs, and spend meaningful time with them. Such visits reaffirm AIWA’s continued commitment to the well-being, dignity, and support of elderly members of the Anglo-Indian Community, while strengthening bonds of care, compassion, and solidarity.
