New Delhi : Addressing a seminar on ‘Educational Development of Weaker Sections’ over video conference from US, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist Dr. Frank Islam said that he firmly believes that ‘India has long succeeded because it has been most diverse and most tolerant and most inclusive nation’.
The seminar was organised by the Aligarh-based voluntary organization Duty Society (which played significant role in the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University ) in the National Capital’s prestigious venue the Vigyan Bhawan on Friday to mark to its 125 years of existence.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari delivered his key note address on the occasion.
Referring to AMU Frank Islam , who is also an AMU alumnus, said that hailing from an Indian Muslim family of modest means, he personally recognized the tremendous difference that a solid education can make in one’s life. He credited AMU for providing him the foundation without which he said he could not have achieved the American dream.
He recognized the Duty Society of AMU for being exceptional in effectively spreading Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s message of ‘reliance on reason, scientific inquiry and attitude, liberty of conscience and freedom of expression, tolerance, hard work and secular pluralistic approaches in all spheres of human relationship practicing mutual respect.’
Speaking about The Critical Need and Reasons to Focus on the Weaker Sections Dr Islam said that much has been done for those “weaker sections” – scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minorities of the nation but unfortunately, much remains to be done.
He mentioned the following statistics calling them sad facts about the condition of the Muslim weaker sections.
* The 2001 Census Report showed that the literacy rate of Indian Muslims was 59.1%. The rate for Muslim males in urban areas was much higher than in rural areas. The rate for females was substantially lower in each area.
* A study released by the U.S. India Policy Institute at the end of 2013 states that since 2006, “…the literacy level and the quantum of improvements for Muslims were modest compared to other populations.”
* That same study showed that only 11% of Muslims in India pursue higher education compared to a national average of approximately 19% and that participation in the “general category of Muslims in higher education” had actually declined by 1.5% for the period studied
Dr Islam said that in spite of India’s progress, potentials, promise, and possibilities, too many minorities are socially and economically disadvantaged. India’s minority he said must be active participants in India’s inclusive economic growth and they must be equal partner in India’s prosperity.
He called the situations for many Indian Muslim youths desperate and heartbreaking and pointed out to a cause and effect relationship where lack of education leads to lack of opportunity which fuels frustration and desperation which in turn breeds violence.
He said that Muslims are just one of the weaker sections in India and when one thinks of the other sections it becomes painfully obvious that there is much work to be done in terms of education and socio-economic advancement for all of those whose lot is to be part of those sections.
Dr Islam pointed out that until the needs of those individuals trapped in these circumstances and conditions are addressed, the concepts of equality and opportunity will be alien to the Indian democracy and India’s full potential as a nation cannot be realized.
In order to make a difference Dr Islam prescribed the role of educator, role model, innovator, problem solver, job creator, change agent, and team player.
Here is a crux of what he said regarding role of each.
Educator: The educator’s role in contributing to the advancement of individuals in the weaker sections should be a broad one of striving to develop the whole person by building knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes and not a narrow one of transmitting knowledge only.
He said that Educational development is a critical but not sufficient condition for fully empowering and preparing individuals for success in life.
Role model: People learn through observation not conversation. Recognizing this, a teacher no matter whether the setting is the classroom or somewhere else can act in ways that are worthy of emulation.
Innovator: Concentrating on developing goods and services for those with scarce resources may not yield big financial returns but the return from a better society would be huge.
Problem Solver: Some of what stands in the way of success for those individuals in the weaker sector could be issues such as lack of transportation or access to proper medical treatment. You members of the Duty Society have the requisite skill sets to develop alternative delivery systems and approaches to eliminate or ameliorate these problematic conditions.
Job Creator: We are living at a time when automation, robotics, and information technology are destroying traditional middle skill jobs that once might have gone to those in the weaker sections who are educated. The opportunity exists to study the job displacement impact of new methods and approaches and to create new employment paradigms in response to them.
Change Agent: Rules and regulations and local conditions such as a lack of schools or teachers frequently inhibit the progress of those in the weaker sections. You Duty Society members can be leaders in identifying those factors and advancing proposals and building community coalitions to address them.
Team Player: No one of us is as strong as all of us together. The Duty Society has a long history of making a difference. By working together and harnessing the brain power of the members on common causes, the Society has the potential to add considerably to its storied history.
Dr Islam called to Amplify, Magnify, and Intensify in the following way
Amplify – increase the ongoing discussions and dialogue regarding what is being done on a day to day basis in each of these roles
Magnify – increase the size of the effort in all of the areas.
Intensify – concentrate attention on a role or two – in addition to education – where the Duty Society can make a big difference
He said that he and his wife Debbie have committed $2M to support the building of a new Management Complex at AMU the overriding motivation for which is the emphasis it will place on preparing the students at AMU to become entrepreneurial leaders who will engage in economic development activities that will create jobs and opportunities for thousands of people throughout India and in other parts the world.
He said that he they look at the support to Management Complex and the Chair not only as philanthropy but as a strategic investment in the future of Muslims of India and the future of others in the weaker sections in India. He said that it was his way of saying thank you and keeping the hope alive.
Quoting President Kennedy ‘To whom much is given. Much is expected’ Dr Islam invoked the listeners: ‘let us extend our hope, our help, and our hand to those who are voiceless, who are poor, who are less fortunate, and who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Let us give them ladders of opportunity to succeed. When they succeed, all of us succeed; India Succeed and the world succeed.’