Tamil Nadu-based social activist Diana Grace Thomas is seeking nomination to Lok Sabha on behalf of Anglo-Indian community by the Narendra Modi government claiming support from international and national activists.
33-year-old Diana, who was born in Erode, has written to Prime Minister Modi on the issue.
"I have support from the All India Anglo-Indian Association, Erode branch, and scores of international and national Anglo-Indians. I am hopeful about getting nominated to Lok Sabha," Diana told PTI from Chennai.
According to Article 331 of Constitution, the President may, if he is of the opinion that the Anglo-Indian community is not adequately represented in the House of the People, nominate not more than two members of the community to that House.
The maximum strength of the House as envisaged by the Constitution is 552, which is made up by election of up to 530 members to represent the states, up to 20 members to represent the Union Territories and not more than two members from the Anglo-Indian community to be nominated by the President.
As per the Constitution, an Anglo-Indian means a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India and is or was born within such territory of parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purposes only.
Archbishop of Gandhinagar (Gujarat), Stansilaus Fernandes SJ, Archbishop of Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) Leo Cornelio SVD and Archbishop of Bombay (Maharashtra) Oswald Cardinal Gracias have also supported Diana's candidature.
Diana studied Master's and Bachelor's of Science (Mathematics) at Nirmala College for Women, Master of Philosophy (Mathematics) at Madurai Kamaraj University, Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications at Bharathiar University and Post Graduate Diploma in Operations Research at Pondicherry University.
"She has been working hard for the community members. We all wish that she gets nominated to Lok Sabha," said Barbara Thyab Ali, an Anglo-Indian working in Chennai.
Diana is married to Edwin Rozario, an advocate in Madras High Court.
