2 Days Conference on Awareness spread and Strengthening of Minority Welfare schemes

A two-day conference of Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, on Awareness Spread and Strengthening of Minority Welfare Affairs was organized at the IIS (Deemed to be University) on 6-7 January 2020. The conference witnessed the graceful presence of eminent dignitaries Smt. Mamta Bhupesh, State Minister of Women & Child Welfare Department, Government of Rajasthan and Dr. Subhash Garg, Minister, Technical Education, Government of Rajasthan as the chief guest of the conference. Prof. B. P. Singh, Chairman, Delhi School of Professional Studies & Research (DSPSR), Mr. Shakeel Ahmad, District Minority Welfare Officer, Mr. Mohinuddin Khan, Prof. Seema Kumari, and Dr. R. S. Singh were invited as the resource person for various sessions. The conference was carved out with the design of bringing together the resources and special scholarship schemes available to the minorities and apprising the students on the same. About 107 students were benefited from the discursive four technical sessions spanning over two days.

The first day of the conference commenced with the lighting of the lamp invoking the divine spirits for the inaugural session. Reverent dignitaries Dr. Ashok Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, IIS (Deemed to be University) and Dr. Raakhi Gupta, Registrar, IIS University greeted the guests with a memento and stole. Dr. Ashok Gupta heartily congratulated the ministry of minority affairs on bringing in such a conference and presented a warm welcome address. Prof. B.P. Singh, Chairman, Delhi School of Professional Studies and Research (DSPSR), New Delhi apprised the gathering on the aims and intent of conducting this two-day conference. He approached his idea by discussing the term minority in detail as "less in number" focusing on the unaware youth and the academic and entrepreneurial opportunities available to the students belonging to the minority group. The inaugural address was delivered by Smt. Mamta Bhupesh, State Minister of Women & Child Welfare, Government of Rajasthan wherein she explained that the endeavors of the state government are congruent and consistent with the growing tendencies empowering women in Rajasthan. She applauded the spirit of an Indian girl child who has all the potential to work hard even in adverse situations and achieve their goals in life. She thereby promised to help them to carve a lucrative career to build a vibrant nation. 

Mr. Mohinuudin Khan counseled the young minds that to provide equal status to these minorities special privileges have been accorded in our constitution but we still need to actively participate to reap maximum benefits of them. In order to legitimize further Dr. Archana Gupta, Head, Department of Political Science, IIS University ran an interference on constitutional provisions regarding minority affairs wherein she familiarized the assemblage on Article 38-social, economic, political welfare, Article 39- free legal assistance, Article 46- educational and economic advancement, Article 49- protection of monuments and Article 51- international treaties. 

The first technical session by Dr. Seema Kumari on Economic Development and Women Empowerment focused on women’s sense of self-worth and their right to have access to opportunities and resources in our society to ensure the Sustainable Development of the country. The further discussed the self-employment schemes like Seekho aur Sikhao, Nayee Manzil, Nayee Roshni and Usttad in detail. They reinstated that these skill development courses are solely linked with the placement of minorities and target the youth of 14-35 years age group. They assured the audience of the schemes being established by Project Implementing Agencies (PIA), selected by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India.

The Second session delineated on educational development emphasized the significance of a population adequately equipped with the knowledge to support the economic growth of a nation. The resource person for the session rationalized the ideas of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India through Naya Savera, Nai Udaan, Padho Pardesh, Scholarship Schemes, and Maulana Azad National Fellowship schemes, to ensure the Educational Development of Minority Communities in India. These higher education schemes, the eligibility criteria for the same and other funding schemes were deliberated over in this session.

Dr. Deepika Singh, Nodal Officer, Equal Opportunity Cell, IIS University proposed a formal vote of thanks and boosted the morale of the students to take up with these schemes to promote higher education in the state and acknowledged the participation of students and the efforts of the resource person invested in the planning and conceptualization of the conference. To capture the memories of such august gathering, as to serve a significant purpose, in a concrete art form, the audience and the staff members then proceeded for a group photograph at the foyer area of the University.

The second day of the conference i.e. January 7, 2020, marked the channelization of two technical sessions- Infrastructure & Development as session one and Government Schemes for Self-Employment as session two.

Session one began with the need for Infrastructure Development in our country expressed in the words of Shri Manmohan Singh as “playing a cyclical role in pure public-private partnerships.” The resource person further elaborated on the term ‘Development Deficits’ and the core programme launched in 90 minority concentration Districts under the National Development Agenda under the nomenclature of Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVL). The scheme provides better socio-economic infrastructure facilities to the minority communities in Education, Health and skill-related fields. Enriched information on schemes like Hamari Dharohar and a project titled “The Everlasting Flame” organized by Dairatul Maarifil Osmania, Osmania University was further discussed in detail. Session two comprised the Government Schemes for Self Employment & Financial Support extended to the minorities wherein the discussed the nuances of various schemes like NMDFC loan schemes, Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, Virasat and many others. The students were amused with delight at the availability of such lucrative options for them.

The Valediction Ceremony began in the presence of Dr. Subhash Garg, Minister, Rajasthan Technical Education, as the chief guest. Dr. Ashok Gupta earnestly greeted the chief guest with his welcome remarks. Dr. Raakhi Gupta, Registrar, IIS (Deemed to be University) tendered a Souvenir to the chief guest and invited him to address the gathering. Dr. Subhash Garg, the Minister, shared his experiences and the parameters that enhanced his personality as an individual. He further enlightened the students on healthy living and enthusiastic initiative taking culture to contribute to the growth of the nation. He addressed the students as ‘architects of the nation’ and motivated them to preserve the Indian spirit and tradition.

Dr. Raakhi Gupta proposed a formal vote of thanks expressing heart-felt gratitude to the chief guest, Chairman Shri B.P.Singh and the elevated gathering for their presence. She culminated in the entire conference in very few but extremely powerful articulations. She boasted the morale of the students by quoting her own example. She belongs to a Jain minority community and was unaware of the minority resources available to her due to a lack of exposure in the times. The students were able to connect with her ideas and hence were overjoyed at the avenues available to them. The participation certificates were then awarded to them.

The conference of this stature eventuated through the collaborated efforts of the Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) of the University in collaboration with the Centre of Advanced Studies, Research, and Development (CASRD), Delhi School of Professional Studies & Research (DSPSR).