As part of its 100 days’ programme, the Ministry of Minority Affairs is organising “Lok Samvardhan Parv” to showcase the schemes, programmes and achievements of the Ministry and also highlighting the activities undertaken in convergence with partner organisations and success stories under its various schemes.

The Lok Samvardhan Parv was inaugurated today (18^thJuly, 2024) by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union  Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs. The Minister released a Coffee table book on schemes and achievements of Ministry of Minority Affairs. Further, a Credit Plan of National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for extending credit of over Rs.1000 crores to over 2.5 lakhs beneficiaries during 2024-25 was also released by the Minister.

During the inaugural event, MOUs between NMDFC and Indian Bank, Union Bank of India and Punjab Gramin Bank were signed for implementation of various schemes of NMDFC through these banks. Further, MOUs between States Skill Development Missions of Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra were signed with the channelising agencies of NMDFC namely Rajasthan Minorities Finance & Development Cooperative Corporation (RMFDCC), Himachal Pradesh Minorities Finance & Development Corporation (HPMFDC) and Maulana Azad Alpsankhayank Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAAAVM), Mumbai.

The ‘Lok Samvardhan Parv’ is showcasing schemes and programmes and achievements of Ministry of Minority Affairs through poster exhibition. Besides unique schemes and success stories of State Channelizing partners of NMDFC are also exhibited in the ‘Lok Samvardhan Parv’.

Prominent knowledge partners of the Ministry of Minority Affairs viz. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID) are participating and showcasing the artisans supported by them under various schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs. The Ministry is organizing daily workshops on various aspects of export marketing through Export Promotion Council of Handicraft (EPCH). The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) YuWaah is  showcasing the work of artisans through young people and their partner organizations. In addition, Yuwaah UNICEF, is showcasing platforms like youth hub, passport 2 earning etc. that enable socio economic and change making opportunities for young people and co-branded photo booth with the Ministry at the event. Marketing organizations namely Government E Marketplace (GeM) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) have also been invited to extend marketing linkages for the artisans. In addition the knowledge partners of NMDFC viz. Ambedkar University, Delhi is participating in the ‘Lok Samvardhan Parv’.

The Ministry is organising cultural evenings showcasing the rich cultural heritage of all minority communities such as Singhi Chamm (Lion Dance), Manipuri Dance, Bhangra, Langa&Manganiar, Mando, Siddhi Goma, Karagattam, Phaag Dance, and Folk Dance of Kerala. In order to attract youth and children the Ministry is conducting demonstrations of various crafts for learning by doing experience.

Lok Samvardhan Parv is celebrating and showcasing over 70 exquisite handicraft and handloom products from various States made by 162 artisans belonging to various minority communities. These participants include artisans promoted under various schemes of Ministry through NIFT, NID and other Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs). Further the artisans have also been nominated by respective State Channelising Agencies of NMDFC.

Lok Samvardhan Parv is testimony of the inclusive development programme of the Ministry which has benefitted a large number of persons from all the minority communities, through convergence with partner organization. The Ministry is striving to fulfil the mantra of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas SabkaVishwash Sabka Prayas”.

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SS/MS