- Minister of State for Ministry of Minority Affairs John Barla graces the function as the Chief Guest
- The United Nations on December 18, 1992 adopted and broadcast the Statement on the individual’s Rights belonging to Religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities.
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DEC 16
Union Minister of State for Ministry of Minority Affairs John Barla on Friday emphasised on the need to generate awareness about the schemes and programmes of the minorities in the areas of education and employment.
भारत की दो महान सांस्कृतिक धरोहरों के अद्भुत संगम #KashiTamilSangamam के समापन सत्र को संबोधित कर रहा हूँ।
இந்தியாவின் இரண்டு பெரும் கலாச்சார பாரம்பரியத்தின் சிறப்பு நிறைந்த சங்கமமான காசி-தமிழ் சங்கமத்தின் நிறைவு கூட்டத்தில் உரையாற்றுகிறேன் https://t.co/kEt3HJKRJT
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) December 16, 2022
The Minority Rights Day which is observed on December 18th every year was celebrated at the National Commission for Minorities on Friday. The United Nations on December 18, 1992 adopted and broadcast the Statement on the individual’s Rights belonging to Religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities. Minority Rights Day upholds the right to freedom and equal opportunities for the minorities in India and creates awareness about their rights.
Minister of State for Ministry of Minority Affairs John Barla graced the function as the Chief Guest which was presided over by Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Chairman, National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, Justice NK Jain also graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo, Dhanyakumar Jinnapa Gunde -Jain Member, Syed Shahezadi- Muslim Member, Rinchen Lhamo-Buddhist Member, and senior officials of NCM were present on the occasion.
The National Commission for Minorities invited various intellectuals from the six minority communities namely – Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain and Zoroastrians. Representing their community, they shared the difficulties faced by the minorities of India, expectations of the minorities from the State, recommendations for the improvements in the schemes and programmes for the minorities. An interfaith delegation also attended the function.
In his remarks Minister of State for Ministry of Minority Affairs John Barla emphasised on the need to generate awareness about the schemes and programmes of the minorities in the areas of education and employment. He said, “It is necessary to spread knowledge and generate awareness about the Government schemes for the minority communities. Religious leaders of the communities should be roped in for this purpose as they have access to a massive audience.” He also emphasized on continuous dialogue between different communities.
Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo, highlighted the efforts of the Commission. Members also spoke of the need to work tirelessly for the welfare of the minorities.
The representatives of the Minority communities also spoke on the occasion. While appreciating the initiatives taken by the Commission, they also pointed out some issues pertaining to their communities and requested the Commission to look into them.
Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura delivered the vote of thanks.
He said “In 1978, India envisaged the idea of setting up a National Commission for Minorities much before the United Nations, where it all started in 1992.”
He added, “We can work towards the development of minorities by including religious leaders, educationalists and social workers for generating awareness among the members of minority communities.”
The Chairman also discussed other minority issues like Anand Marriage Act and Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme. He also assured that NCM will be meeting the Religious Leaders at their own places on a regular basis and have detailed deliberations. NCM also regularly celebrates religious festivals of all the religions of India.
On this occasion, the Commission reiterated its mandate of working towards the maintenance of peace and communal harmony in the society irrespective of the religious, linguistic and other differences and maintaining the dignity of the minority communities in India by safeguarding their rights.
