Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today, 11th June 2019 announced that several scholarships like pre-matric, post-matric & merit-cum-means will be offered to around 5 crore students from the minority communities, including 50% girls, in the next 5 years.
The Minority Affairs Minister chaired the 112th governing body & 65th general body meetings of Maulana Azad Education Foundation held at Antyodaya Bhawan, New Delhi. Naqvi said the BJP government has created an atmosphere of healthy inclusive growth by eliminating the "disease of communalism" & appeasement politics.
The Minister also said that the Centre has proved to be a "government of authority, justice & integrity". The BJP government is a dispensation committed to "samaveshi vikas, sarvsparshi vishwas (inclusive growth with trust)".
He told girls from minority communities who have dropped out of school will be connected to education & employment via "bridge courses" from reputed educational institutions of India. Teachers of Madrassa across the nation will be trained by different institutions in mainstream subjects like English, Hindi, Maths, Science & Computer so that they can pass on mainstream education to the students. He said the madrassa programme will be launched in July.
In order to ensure socio-economic & educational empowerment of the minorities, especially girls via '3Es' i.e. education, employment & empowerment - several scholarships like pre-matric, post-matric & merit-cum-means will be given to 5 crore students in the next 5 years.
This will include over 10 lakh Begum Hazrat Mahal girls’ scholarship in the next 5 years for EWS or economically weaker sections. Naqvi said schools, colleges, polytechnics, ITIs, girls hostels, gurukul-type residential schools & common service centres are being made on a war-footing under the Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram (PMJVK) in regions devoid of educational infrastructure.
In addition, 'Padho-Badho' awareness movement will be launched across India to promote education, especially amongst girls from minority communities, the minister said. The minister also said, "The campaign will be focused on girls. This awareness campaign will comprise street plays, short films & cultural programmes. The campaign will be launched in 60 minority concentrated districts of India in the first phase".
Naqvi told free coaching for central & state administrative services, banking services, railways, staff selection commission & other competitive services will be offered to EWS from minority communities – Christians, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis.
