Document on empowerment of Indian Muslims released

Retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Rajindar Sachar released the historic “India 2047: Empowering the People” project Document of Empower India Foundation (EIF) at the National Conclave on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day anniversary.
The forenoon session was presided over by Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani, general secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Amitabh Kundu, chairman of post-Sachar Evaluation Committee.
Speaking after releasing the 250-page document Justice Sachar said that Empower India Foundation has done what the governments could not do in the last 70 years since Independence. “India 2047” project is like taking up the cudgels to empower Muslims and other marginalized communities of India, he added.
He said a civilized nation is one where the minorities’ safety is guaranteed and the get equal opportunities. This is a litmus test for good governance of any nation, he added. He lamented that Equal Opportunity Commission, a statutory body to check discrimination against minority communities in jobs and education, as recommended by him in his report has not been established till date despite the UPA-II government nod for it.
Maulana Wali Rahmani described the India 2047 document as a mission which will enable Muslims and other marginalized people to prosper. “Today’s function is the beginning of a new dawn”, he remarked. He said if Muslims change their mindset they can succeed and prosper by their own efforts without looking toward government agencies or others.
EIF Chairman E. M. Abdul Rahiman welcoming guests said no doubt India is developing but growth and development at the cost of social justice is a real challenge. 
The gap between the privileged and marginalized sections are also growing, he said adding that along with tribals and Dalits, Muslims are the victims of this unethical and unbalanced growth. 
He said: “Our dream is of a strong India. 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.”
Mohammad Raphy, executive secretary of EIF, presenting the project report said that as the first step of the initiative a concept paper was prepared 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. Six national seminars, more than 50 cities get-together programs across 15 states of India, consultation with eminent experts in social development followed. Eleven Focus Areas were identified and separate teams were constituted to collect data, conduct research and suggest possible initiatives to be undertaken. 
Project Document Editor Prof. P. Koya briefly introducing the document said that EIF’s “India 2047” project carries a vision, mission, focus areas, objectives and initiatives. The document has 19 chapters and is not merely a vision document but a vision-to-action project.
Over 100 delegates from all over India participated in the deliberations.
Meanwhile, a seminar on the theme “Opportunities and challenges in community empowerment” was also held. At the outset welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Mohammad Minarul Shaikh, liaison officer, EIF. Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam, chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi. Later on two power-point presentations were made by Dr. Lubna Sarwath, an economist from Hyderabad, and Nainar Sultan of EIF.
In the end a panel discussion was held moderated by Dr. Zafrul Islam, editor of Milli Gazette. Those who took part in the discussion included Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammad, honorary secretary MESCO, Hyderabad; Prof. Shakeel Samdani of AMU, and Abdul Wahid Sait, national secretary of Popular Front of India from Bangalore.
E. M. Abdul Rahiman announcing the pilot projects said implementation of projects have been planned to be carried out in six phases of 5 years each. The seven pilot projects are: 1. Master Trainers Development Program – Bangalore and New Delhi; 2. Literacy Program (Full literacy in 25 villages) – Bihar; 3. Poverty Eradication Drive (Women’s Self Help Group Cluster) – Uttar Pradesh; 4. Finishing School – Rajasthan; 5. D-Voter Issue: Legal Support System – Assam; 6. Drinking Water Supply Project – West Bengal and 7. Sanitation Scheme (Providing toilets) – Tamil Nadu.

Source: Arab News