Eminent author Barry O’Brien said on Sunday that Anglo-Indian women should get Bharat Ratna for their contribution to nation-building. He also lauded the role of the Anglo-Indian community and talked about how it quickly adapted to the culture of the country and became a part of its growth process.

Sharing his thoughts on the concluding day of the seventh edition of the Tata Steel Bhubaneswar Literary Meet, Barry said: “When Indian women were playing the role of a mother and busy in household activities, Anglo-Indian women had to go for economic activities — nursing, teaching and so on. In fact, they have shown the way to other Indian women who have now come up to take up jobs in different fields. Their contribution should be acknowledged,” said the author.

He said: “Anglo-Indian women have clearly been the pioneers and torchbearers of the changing fabric of women’s empowerment in both pre-independent and modern India.

“They were the first matrons, the first nurses, the first to serve in the armed forces and in government services, the first teachers, secretaries, air stewardesses, athletes, actors, and more, as well as the finest mentors and trainers of career women in each of these fields. The nation needs to acknowledge that.”

He said: “Today, after five centuries of ups and downs, twists of fate, and turns of destiny, the Anglo-Indian community is firmly established in its chosen homeland, India.”