Enter Intraf to look after Indian interests

A new coalition of Indian NGOs will try to makes some changes to the community, especially at the youth and education levels.

PETALING JAYA: There is a new coalition of Indian NGOs with a noble aim – to look after the rights of the minority. But first they will concentrate on trying to make some positive changes to the Indian community.

Calling themselves Intraf (Indian Transformation and Rights Action Front), the NGOs will concentrate on achieving a level playing field for youth and education for the community.

Gobi Krishnan who is Intraf executive secretary claimed that nearly 100 NGOs are with the new coalition.

They have come up with seven initiatives to achieve this.

He said these are called initiatives and not demands or resolutions because the Intraf committee seeks to be involved in the implementation process.

These seven are: United Nations Minorities Protection Act 1948; special Indian economic policy; all Tamil schools must be fully aided; standard exams for university entrance; youth empowerment policies; formation of the Minority Affairs Ministry and fair representation in policy making.

“It’s no secret that the Indian community has been left out and we thought that there should be a group that champions their rights. If you really look at it, there is no one representing us,” he explained.

When asked about the role of MIC, Gobi said: “Their presence here isn’t for the Indian community at all, but instead to act as an agent for the government”.

“With MIC, it’s always a case of, ‘Take what the government gives you. Intraf will be doing things differently,” he said.

Gobi added Intraf would will represent the people directly. “It’s the people who give us the mandate and the community is going to get involved in bringing about this change.”

Intraf eventually hopes to be include everyone considered a minority. “We’re just focusing on the Indian community first as a first step.

“We want to do this properly and make sure that there is equality for all, so taking a step-by-step approach seems the best option. Having said that, we are not going to move slowly either. There is no better time than now to make some positive changes,” he added.