The Prime Minster Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has urged Muslims not to lag behind in education. Inaugurating a National Convention on Educational and Economic Development of Minorities here today, Shri Vajpayee said that education is an investment for a better future. He advised Muslims not confine themselves to only religious education but should go in for scientific education as well. Shri Vajpayee said that science and technology have improved the quality of life. Stressing on need to maintain brotherhood and unity, the Prime Minister said that everybody should have equal right to live and to progress. He refuted the propaganda that his government is against the minorities, particularly Muslims. Shri Vajpayee said that he is opposed to any discrimination on the basis of religion. The Prime Minister said that we must resolve all issues by mutual consultations and, if necessary wait, if the solution can’t be found immediately.

Shri Vajpayee launched three schemes for the educational development of minorities, viz., Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Literacy Awards Scheme, Maulana Azad National Scholarship Scheme and Establishment of Maulana Azad Sadbhawna Kendras Scheme. Under the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Literacy Awards Scheme, four awards would be given every year to reputed organisations/institutions for their outstanding contribution in promoting education, particularly among girls belonging to educationally backward minorities. The award would consist of Rs.1.00 lac and a citation and would be given to one organization in each region of the country. The Maulana Azad National scholarship Scheme is assist meritorious girl students belonging to minorities who cannot continue their education without financial support. Under this scheme, a scholarship of Rs. 10,000 each would be given to 1200 selected girl students during the current financial year. Under the Scheme of Financial Assistance for Establishment of Maulana Azad Sadbhawna Kendras universities, reputed academic and research institutions and local bodies would be given a maximum grant of Rs. 10 lacs.

The Prime Minister released the first issue of the newsletter of Maulana Azad Foundation entitled ~Sadhbhavna Sandesh~ on the occasion. Shri Vajpayee also gave away cheques worth 3.15 crore rupees to 28 NGOs for various projects for promotion of education among minorities. Of these eight NGOs are from Uttar Pradesh, four from Uttranchal, three each from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, two from Gujarat and one each from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Satynarayan Jatiya said that the educational and economic development of minorities has during the last five years got government’s attention as never before. He said that Maulana Azad Education Foundation has so far provided grant worth 64 crore rupees to 474 NGOs for construction / expansion of schools and hostels and for coaching and technical education. Of this 50 crore rupees have been given to 352 NGOs during the last five years. Similarly the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation has so far provided Rs.470 crores as concessional finance to 1.78 lakh beneficiaries belonging to minorities for setting up self-employment ventures. Of this, Rs. 375crore have been extended as credit to 1.35 lakh beneficiaries during the last five years. Dr. Jatiya said that government wants to speed up this process further.

The Minister for Civil Aviation Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and Chairman of Joint Parliamentary Committee on Wakfs Shri Mukhtar Abbas, M.P., felicitated the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for organising the national convention and said that such a convention is being held after 38 years.

The Conference was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and was attended by prominent persons, Chief Executive Officers of Wakf Boards and non-governmental organisations associated with the development of minorities.