By MM Special Correspondent

New Delhi: “It is a hallmark of any civilized nation where minority communities feel safe and secure and work for their progress without fear and discrimination. It is a litmus test for any democratic government to provide safety and security to its minority subject so that they can also able to prosper like other communities.”  These remarks were made by Justice Rajindar Sachar, retired chief Justice of Delhi High Court at a National Conclave on empowering Indian Muslims held here on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day.

Releasing the 2047 Document on empowerment project of Empower India Foundation, (EIF) at the  day-long National Conclave entitled ‘Empowering the People – India 2047’ at the India Habitat Centre here, Justice Sachar said Empower India Foundation has done  tremendous job as the successive governments did not do in the last 70 years.  He also criticized the Modi government saying it has been deliberately raking up emotional issues to deflect people’s attention from pressing issues such as price rice, employment, security, jobs and human rights. He said this government is simply anti-poor, anti-dalits and anti minority.

In his keynote address, noted economist Prof. Amitabh Kundu, who headed the Post Sachar Evaluation Committee, stressed the need of inclusive growth for overall development of the country.

“It social inclusion is essential for the advancement of the country without which India will not be able to achieve the required growth and development. Social justice and parity in development is a must for inclusive growth.”

In his presidential remarks, All India Muslim Personal Law Board general secretary Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani described the 2047 Document as a mission which will enable Muslims and other marginalized people to prosper and walk shoulder to shoulder with other communities by getting empowered by their own efforts.

“Aaj Ka function Aik Naee Subah Ka Aaghaaz Hai (Today’s function is the beginning of a new dawn)”.

Maulana said if Muslims change their mindset then they can tread on the path of success by their own efforts without looking towards the government agencies or others.

M. Abdul Rahiman, Chairman EIF said India is developing and the wealth of the nation is also growing but the gulf between haves and have-nots also widening. Besides Tribals and Dalits, Muslims are also the victim of this unethical and unbalanced growth.

“Our dream is of a strong nation. Strength of the people is the real strength of the nation. Our vision is of an all inclusive just India as the nation will remain handicapped till all sections are equally empowered. The Project Document India 2047: Empowering the People is a community centered project, but not a communal project and is also a national project”.

He pointed out that alliance building with other classes and communities is a pre-requisite for the empowerment of a particular community in a plural society like India. Responsibility lies at the top and bottom levels. At the top are the duties of the governments of the day while at the bottom are the duties of concerned communities. This task cannot be accomplished by any single group, institution and organization.

“Let us act as Change Agents – volunteering, networking, micro-planning, execution, grass-root level system building etc”.

Abdul Rahiman also informed the gathering that EIF has undertaken seven pilot projects in collaboration with other NGOs.

Mohammad Raphy, executive secretary of EIF, presented the Project activities report. He said that as the first step of the initiative a background paper was prepared and presented in November 2013. Later on brainstorming sessions were held during January-August 2014 on plans to empower the Muslim community in all spheres of life by 2047 – the dawn of the second century of India’s Independence. He said in the brainstorming sessions working groups for each of the following focus areas were formed which included:

1. Governance Economy; 3. Education; 4. Health; 5. Media; 6. Women’ Children & Youth; 8. Civil Rights; 9. Broad based Alliance; 10. Social Reformation and  11.  Culture & Heritage.

Thereafter,  three years of hectic activities – travels, seminars, discussions continued across the 15 states of India which culminated in the final draft of the Project report was completed in June 2016 and this Project Document is being released today on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day, he added.

Project Document Editor Prof. P. Koya introduced the document stating that “India 2047” project carries a vision, mission, focus areas, objectives and initiatives. It is not merely vision document but a vision-to-action project. The role of EIF is providing conceptual, intellectual and motivational support, creating awareness and reaching out to local teams, promoting pilot projects; identifying partnerships and implementation agencies, he said.

The Conclave was designed as a get-together of select community leaders and activists from 15 different states. On the occasion, Prof. M. Aslam, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, former Vice Chancellor, AMU; E. Abubacker, Chairman, Rehab India Foundation Kamal Faruqui, former Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission Adv. Sharfuddin Ahmed, Vice President, Social Democratic Party of India;. Navaid Hamid President, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat; Prof. S. Sumayaa Principal, TBAK College for Women, Tamil Nadu; Prof. Nishath Khalida Parveen, Vice Principal Abbas Khan College, Bangalore and other also addressed the audience.