The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) successfully organized a national conference focusing on education, inclusion, and empowerment of minorities in India. The event witnessed the participation of key policymakers, experts, and stakeholders who deliberated on strategies to ensure equitable opportunities and welfare for minority communities.

Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour and inaugurated the conference with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. In his inaugural address, Shri Kurian emphasized the government’s commitment to the empowerment of minority communities. He highlighted that there are numerous schemes dedicated to uplifting minority communities, along with additional initiatives designed for their welfare.

Shri Kurian also emphasized that minorities in India enjoy greater safety and security compared to some neighbouring nations.

NCM Chairman, Shri Iqbal Singh Lalpura, set the stage for discussions with his inaugural address, followed by insightful sessions featuring distinguished panellists. Shri Lalpura elaborated on the contributions of minority communities to nation-building and underscored the role of the commission as a platform for addressing key issues. He welcomed the voices, opinions, and perspectives of participants and assured that the commission would incorporate best practices from various State Minority Commissions.

The conference featured two key technical sessions on:

• Education: Ensuring Access and Support to Minorities – A fruitful discussion took place on the role minority communities play in the education sector, especially the Christian community. The session also focused on the challenges faced by minority students and institutions, along with proposing solutions for inclusive education.

• Minority Inclusion and Welfare – The second discussion highlighted the necessity of government intervention in formulating policies and activities that empower minorities and ensure inclusive development. Panellists underscored the importance of targeted welfare programs and sustainable initiatives to uplift minority communities.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, attended the event as the Chief Guest and delivered a special address. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of minority communities, emphasizing the need for cooperation among various faith groups. Shri Rijiju elaborated on the role of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) in uplifting minority communities, citing Kerala as an example where minority entrepreneurs received funding to establish and expand their ventures.

The Minister also underscored the importance of organizing similar conferences across different parts of the nation to exchange best practices and insights. Furthermore, he assured that a meeting with the minority affairs ministers of various states would be convened to prioritize and address key concerns of minority communities across the nation.

He assured that the Ministry would examine requests from state governments for gap funding support to strengthen and implement schemes and initiatives aimed at empowering and uplifting minorities, ensuring inclusive development across the country.

Shri Rijiju concluded by reiterating the fundamental mantra of the government, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. He emphasized that minorities in India are safe and have equal opportunities to prosper and succeed in all walks of life.

Open-House Discussion: In the latter part of the event, an open-house discussion was conducted to address the challenges faced by State Minority Commissions. Participants actively shared their perspectives and recommendations, fostering a collaborative exchange of ideas.

Shri Iqbal Singh Lalpura elaborated on the commission’s ongoing efforts to foster dialogue, develop policy recommendations, and promote collaborative initiatives for an inclusive and empowered future for India’s minority communities.

Shri Lalpura said that the National Commission for Minorities remains committed to advancing policies and programs that support the socio-economic and educational upliftment of minority communities across India.

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