By Mumtaz Alam, Muslim Mirror,
New Delhi, April 24: Several community leaders and politicians were unanimous that the Muslim community needs awareness to avail the benefits of the government schemes for educational uplift the minority community. They were speaking at a symposium Educational Upliftment of Muslims: Government Schemes – Awareness & Responsibilities organized by All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat (Salim Qasmi group).
Opening the symposium, Mr. Ilyas Mallick, Secretary, Mushawarat said: There is a need of awareness campaign within the Muslim community for the educational schemes of the government. We cannot absolve our responsibility by just complaining against the government.
Kamal Farooqui, former chairman, Delhi Minority Commission said: The community now must come out of complaining stage and do what they can for the educational uplift of the community. There is government scheme for model schools in every block. Some members of the community should come out to take benefit of the scheme. Community should now invest in education sector. There are many among the community who can start educational institutions.
Dr. Idrees Qureshi, president Muslim Educational Society was of the view that such seminars and programs should be held in small towns and blocks, not just in metros like Delhi.
“Such programs should be held in towns and districts, not just in Delhi because schemes are to be implemented at village and block levels. Muslim Educational Society has been formed in 11 districts of Uttar Pradesh with the same purpose. That should be emulated. Shortcomings in the government schemes should also be highlighted,” said Dr. Qureshi.
Member of Rajya Sabha Mohammad Adeeb while admitting that community should make itself aware of the schemes criticized the government for not showing honesty in implementing minority schemes. “The government introduced lots of minority welfare schemes but as it had no intention to implement them they have miserably failed. Scholarship schemes are meant for the poor but the government has not done to ensure this scheme reaches them,” said Mr. Adeeb.
He urged the community to open NGOs rather than parties to work at the grassroot level.
“Rather than opening parties and organizations, the community should open NGOs at village and block levels. Government will listen only when they see Muslims are awake,” he said and advised Mushawarat to adopt at least five Muslim dominated districts and work for full implementation of the educational schemes meant for minority.
Speaking as chief guest, Mr. Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science & Technology said: “I have become advocate of the Millat. I will fight for you inside the court and outside. The government is working on direct benefit transfer. We know some states are not properly implementing the minority welfare schemes. Both community and the government should create awareness about the welfare schemes.”
In his presidential address, Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani said: “It’s true Millat is not aware but it is also true that the government is not honest. While 319 educational institutions in Manipur alone got fund under MsDP for minority concentration districts, just 27 institutions in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar together got funds under the same scheme.”
He called upon the community to get extra active to avail the benefits of the government schemes.