First time after 1947 planned, time-bound education strategy for poor, backward minorities

By Firoz Bakht Ahmed*
How an efficacious idea is proposed, acted upon and finally accomplished in lime and brick structure, has exemplarily been shown by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Minister for Minorities Affairs after he launched the report of the establishment of educational institutions for educationally backward minorities. Truly, for the first time, it was seen after 1947 that such a planned and time-bound educational strategy for the poor and backward minorities took a practical shape sans 70 years of mere lip service by the previous governments.
Naqvi stated that under the aegis of Maulana Azad Education Foundation as part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of uplifting the backward minorities with any tag of appeasement with a view to empowering them, an 11 member committee joined the heads together in January 2017 and after a thorough research and interaction with a large number of academicians decided that among the minorities, it was the Muslim community that was found to be most backward and hence needed the state attention and intervention. Disparity was highest in rural areas for both boys and girls. The comparative difference of educational enrollment in all disciplines was alarmingly low.
The members of the committee included Afzal Amanullah, Prof S Iqbal Hasnain, Lt Gen Zameeruddin Shah, Shahid Siddiqui, Prof Talat Ahmad, Sirajuddin Qureshi, Firoz Bakht Ahmed Prof SN Pathan, Qamar Agha, Kulsoom Noor Saifullah and D Madhukar Naik. According to Madhukar Naik, joint secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, he 147-page report records the surveys conducted in the country’s densely populated minorities areas to prepare an action plan aimed at the strengthening of the school base of the minorities, to provide skill development courses and avenues of completing graduation to the minority students and to create opportunities for higher education for them. It also contains a detailed demography of the minority concentration areas to the minutest pocket anywhere in India.
According to the recommendation of the committee, christened as, “High Level Committee”, setting up of 211 Central Schools across the country (167 in minority dominant rural areas and 44 in cities ) is on cards. Incidentally, the first school under this plan will be inaugurated in Hyderabad tomorrow. From class 1 to 12, the schools will follow the CBSE curriculum with 30 students in each section. The states like UP and Rajasthan have already offered readymade designer and congenial buildings for these institutions.
Setting up of 25 Community Colleges all over India in tune with the 2012 UGC guidelines has also been started whose clientele will be the drop out students to train them in skills. Besides, those interested in continuing the education will have the option to credit/ non-credit courses in addition to the special option for higher education for degree courses.
Besides, 5 National Institutes of Excellence in the fields of Science and Technology, Health and Allied Sciences, Architecture, Planning and Design, Climate Change and Disaster Management, Renewable Energy and Food Security, will be the model seminaries in the days to come. These will be different from the usual IITs or IIMs based on the university system as excellence will be their watchword. These institutes, to be set up under the act of Parliament, will also offer programs of masters, doctoral and post doctoral levels. These will attract the best talent from within the country and abroad.
Naqvi also felicitated the civil Services toppers coached with the assistance of the Minority Ministry. While speaking about the Maulana Azad Foundation scholarships, Naqvi said that these scholarships will be for students of class 9 onward Apart from the usual scholarships, the girls enrolled under the scheme will also be offered an amount of fifty thousand rupees for their wedding, known as “Shadi Shagun” (wedding stipend). He also said that toilets in madrasas and the schools in the densely populated minority areas too will be built. lll
---

Commentator on social, heritage and religious issues, grandnephew of Maulana Azad

Comments

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी: जल जीवन मिशन के लक्ष्य को पाने समन्वित प्रयास जरूरी

- राज कुमार सिन्हा* जल संसाधन से जुड़ी स्थायी समिति ने वर्तमान लोकसभा सत्र में पेश रिपोर्ट में बताया है कि "नल से जल" मिशन में राजस्थान, मध्यप्रदेश, पश्चिम बंगाल, झारखंड और केरल फिसड्डी साबित हुए हैं। जबकि देश के 11 राज्यों में शत-प्रतिशत ग्रामीणों को नल से जल आपूर्ति शुरू कर दी गई है। रिपोर्ट में समिति ने केंद्र सरकार को सिफारिश की है कि मिशन पुरा करने में राज्य सरकारों की समस्याओं पर गौर किया जाए।

Censor Board's bullying delays 'Phule': A blow to India's democratic spirit

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* A film based on the life and legacy of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule was expected to release today. Instead, its release has been pushed to the last week of April. The reason? Protests by self-proclaimed guardians of caste pride—certain Brahmin groups—and forced edits demanded by a thoroughly discredited Censor Board.

Maoist call for peace talks: A democratic opening amidst state repression?

By Harsh Thakor* The readiness of the CPI (Maoist), a banned organisation, for peace talks is seen as signifying a democratic gesture that should be welcomed by all who uphold democratic values. The ongoing conflict under ‘Operation Kagaar’ in Central India represents a clash between alleged state aggression and self-defence by oppressed communities. Critics argue that the Indian government has violated constitutional principles by promoting corporate expansion in Adivasi regions under the pretext of development, endangering the lives and livelihoods of local populations.

CASR urges immediate halt to Operation Kagaar, calls for peace talks with Maoists

By A Representative The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a collective of over 40 civil society organizations, has issued a press statement demanding an immediate end to "Operation Kagaar" and alleged state-led killings of Maoist rebels and indigenous people in central India. The group also called on the central government to create a conducive environment for initiating peace talks with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Incarcerated for 2,424 days, Sudhir Dhawale combines Ambedkarism with Marxism

By Harsh Thakor One of those who faced incarceration both under Congress and BJP rule, Sudhir Dhawale was arrested on June 6, 2018, one of the first six among the 16 people held in what became known as the Elgar Parishad case. After spending 2,424 days in incarceration, he became the ninth to be released from jail—alongside Rona Wilson, who walked free with him on January 24. The Bombay High Court granted them bail, citing the prolonged imprisonment without trial as a key factor. I will always remember the moments we spent together in Mumbai between 1998 and 2006, during public meetings and protests across a wide range of issues. Sudhir was unwavering in his commitment to Maoism, upholding the torch of B.R. Ambedkar, and resisting Brahmanical fascism. He sought to bridge the philosophies of Marxism and Ambedkarism. With boundless energy, he waved the banner of liberation, becoming the backbone of the revolutionary democratic centre in Mumbai and Maharashtra. He dedicated himself ...

Why crucifixion is a comprehensive message of political journey for the liberation of the oppressed

By Vijayan MJ Passion week is that time of the year when Christians all over the world remind themselves about the sufferings, anguish, pain and the bloody crucifixion that Jesus Christ took on himself, as part of his mission of emancipating the people and establishing the kingdom of god. The crucifixion was not just a great symbolism of the personal sacrifice of one person, but it was a comprehensive messaging of a political journey for the liberation of the oppressed; one filled with struggle, militancy, celebration of life, rejection of temptations, betrayals, grief, the long-walk with the cross, crucifixion and ultimately resurrection as a symbol of victory over the oppressors and evil.

How Mumbai University crumbles: Not just its buildings

By Rosamma Thomas* In recent days, the news from the University of Mumbai has been far from inspiring – clumps of plaster have fallen off the ceiling at the CD Deshmukh Bhavan, and it was good fortune that no one was injured; creepy crawlies were found in the water dispenser that students use to collect drinking water, and timely warning videos circulated by vigilant students have kept people safe so far.

CPM’s evaluation of BJP reflects its political character and its reluctance to take on battle against neo-fascism

By Harsh Thakor* A controversial debate has emerged in the revolutionary camp regarding the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s categorization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many Communists criticize the CPM’s reluctance to label the BJP as a fascist party and India as a fascist state. Various factors must be considered to arrive at an accurate assessment. Understanding the original meaning and historical development of fascism is essential, as well as analyzing how it manifests in the present global and national context.

Akhilesh Yadav’s boycott of Dainik Jagran: A step towards accountability or political rhetoric?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat Akhilesh Yadav has called for a total boycott of Dainik Jagran, a newspaper owned by the Gupta family. He also declared that the Samajwadi Party will no longer participate in any panel discussions organized by a media channel allegedly controlled by the family or relatives of the omnipresent Rajiv Shukla. Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party are well aware that Dainik Jagran has long been antagonistic to Dalit-Bahujan interests. The newspaper represents a Bania-Brahmin corporate and ideological enterprise.

Search This Blog