PRIME MINSTER URGES MUSLIMS NOT TO LAG BEHIND IN EDUCATION; LAUNCHES
THREE SCHEMES
The Prime Minster
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has urged Muslims not to lag behind
in education. Inaugurating a National Convention on Educational
and Economic Development of Minorities here today, Shri Vajpayee
said that education is an investment for a better future. He advised
Muslims not confine themselves to only religious education but
should go in for scientific education as well. Shri Vajpayee said
that science and technology have improved the quality of life.
Stressing on need to maintain brotherhood and unity, the Prime
Minister said that everybody should have equal right to live and
to progress. He refuted the propaganda that his government is
against the minorities, particularly Muslims. Shri Vajpayee said
that he is opposed to any discrimination on the basis of religion.
The Prime Minister said that we must resolve all issues by mutual
consultations and, if necessary wait, if the solution can’t be
found immediately.
Shri Vajpayee launched
three schemes for the educational development of minorities, viz.,
Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Literacy Awards Scheme, Maulana Azad
National Scholarship Scheme and Establishment of Maulana Azad
Sadbhawna Kendras Scheme. Under the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Literacy
Awards Scheme, four awards would be given every year to reputed
organisations/institutions for their outstanding contribution
in promoting education, particularly among girls belonging to
educationally backward minorities. The award would consist of
Rs.1.00 lac and a citation and would be given to one organization
in each region of the country. The Maulana Azad National scholarship
Scheme is assist meritorious girl students belonging to minorities
who cannot continue their education without financial support.
Under this scheme, a scholarship of Rs. 10,000 each would be given
to 1200 selected girl students during the current financial year.
Under the Scheme of Financial Assistance for Establishment of
Maulana Azad Sadbhawna Kendras universities, reputed academic
and research institutions and local bodies would be given a maximum
grant of Rs. 10 lacs.
The Prime Minister
released the first issue of the newsletter of Maulana Azad Foundation
entitled "Sadhbhavna Sandesh" on the occasion. Shri Vajpayee also
gave away cheques worth 3.15 crore rupees to 28 NGOs for various
projects for promotion of education among minorities. Of these
eight NGOs are from Uttar Pradesh, four from Uttranchal, three
each from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, two from Gujarat
and one each from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Punjab and
Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, the Minister
for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Satynarayan Jatiya said
that the educational and economic development of minorities has
during the last five years got government’s attention as never
before. He said that Maulana Azad Education Foundation has so
far provided grant worth 64 crore rupees to 474 NGOs for construction
/ expansion of schools and hostels and for coaching and technical
education. Of this 50 crore rupees have been given to 352 NGOs
during the last five years. Similarly the National Minorities
Development and Finance Corporation has so far provided Rs.470
crores as concessional finance to 1.78 lakh beneficiaries belonging
to minorities for setting up self-employment ventures. Of this,
Rs. 375crore have been extended as credit to 1.35 lakh beneficiaries
during the last five years. Dr. Jatiya said that government wants
to speed up this process further.
The Minister for
Civil Aviation Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and Chairman of Joint Parliamentary
Committee on Wakfs Shri Mukhtar Abbas, M.P., felicitated the Ministry
of Social Justice and Empowerment for organising the national
convention and said that such a convention is being held after
38 years.
The Conference was
organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and
was attended by prominent persons, Chief Executive Officers of
Wakf Boards and non-governmental organisations associated with
the development of minorities.
