Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government and its Minority Welfare Department are continuously working to promote the educational, employment and developmental interests of minority communities, Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Waqf and Haj Danish Azad Ansari said on Monday.
Ansari was speaking at a meeting organised jointly by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Government of India, and the Minority Welfare and Waqf Department, Uttar Pradesh, at Indira Bhawan in Lucknow.
The meeting focused on the role of minority educational institutions in nation-building in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat, 2047’.
The meeting was attended by Prof. (Dr) Shahid Akhtar, Executive Chairman of NCMEI; Danish Azad Ansari; Sheeldhar Singh Yadav, Director, Minority Welfare, Uttar Pradesh; officials from various educational departments and representatives of minority educational institutions in Lucknow.
NCMEI Highlights Role in Protecting Institutional Rights
Addressing the meeting, Prof. (Dr) Shahid Akhtar outlined the work and responsibilities of the NCMEI and said the commission was working continuously to protect the interests and rights of minority educational institutions.
He said discussions had already been held with senior officials of the concerned departments regarding the procedure for obtaining minority status, and directions had been issued for determining the process.
Akhtar also called upon minority educational institutions to submit detailed reports within 15 days through the Minority Welfare Department regarding programmes and seminars already organised at the institutional level and proposed activities related to the Viksit Bharat vision.
He urged institutions to prepare their own action plans for Viksit Bharat 2047, clearly define responsibilities for implementing the vision and submit suggestions regarding challenges they may face.
Digital Platform to Improve Coordination
The NCMEI Executive Chairman said meetings with minority educational institutions would also be organised at the state and zonal levels in the future.
To facilitate coordination with institutions and ensure smooth exchange of information, the Minority Welfare Department will provide a dedicated email facility or digital platform.
Speaking on the occasion, Danish Azad Ansari said employment, education and development of minority communities remain among the priorities of the Uttar Pradesh government.
He urged institutions to work proactively towards the objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047 and asked them to submit reports within the next 15 days on workshops and seminars proposed to be organised in connection with the vision.
The meeting emphasised stronger coordination between minority educational institutions, the state government and NCMEI, with a focus on aligning educational initiatives with the broader national development goals outlined under NEP 2020 and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
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