Chicago IL: \'Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala have emerged as role models in establishing a network of minortiy-managed educational institutions and in finding enduring solutions to the educational problems of minorities. P A Inamdar, a leading educationist, too has done a commendable job in the field of minortiy education in Maharasthra\', said Zafar Javed, Convener, Cetnral Paned for India, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah and Hon. Secretary, Sultan-ul-uloom Educational Socitey, Hyderabad, in his keynote address at a Seminar on \'Educational Development of Minorities in India: Successful Experiments\', organized by ICN, OGDEN, 2844 W. Oden Ave. Naperville, II 60540.

Continuing his address, Javeed said that while the leadership of minorities in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Maharasthra has played a proactive role in the domains of professional, technical, and vocational education, the Governments of these States, which provided the required help, deserve the appreciation by the minortiy communities.

\'While Southern and Western regions of India, which account for 35.16% of the Muslim population in India have done reasonably well for the educational development of minorities, it is a matter of serious concern that the Eastern and Northern Regions, which account for a whopping 34% and 30.84% respectively, of the Muslim population in India, seriously lagged behind, and as a result, the educational problems of minorities continue to be unattended\', opined Javeed.

Javeed paid richt ributes to the cotnribution of late Sir Syed Ahmed Khan for playing a revolutionary role, among other things, in creating awareness among Muslims about the importance of education in solving their multidimensional problems. He called upon the need for emergence of similar leadership, at grass roots levels, across the length and breadth of India in general and its Eastern and Northern Regions in particular.

Javeed thanked the Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah for granting scholarships to over 4000 students in India, who pursued professional education and are holding important positions in the coutnry as doctors, engineers, academics, etnrepreneurs, etc. He thanked the Bank for financing over 275 educational and health projects in India, by releasing over USD 45 million, aimed at enabling Muslims to become effective partners in the development of India, through the enrichment of its human capital.

Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India in Chicago, who presided over the inaugural function of the Seminar, said that the Union Ministry of HRD and the Union Ministry of Minortiy Affairs in India have conceptualized and launched a number of innovative schemes in order to solve the problems of minorities in general and their weaker sections in particular. He called upon the leaders of minortiy communities to create wider awareness among minorities about these schemes and to provide a comprehensive set of escort services in order to enable them to take their full advantage.

Dr. Sayeed opined that the literacy rate, educational attainments, and the work participation rate on the part of minortiy women leave much to be desired. \'The social, educational, and economic development of minorities can be achieved, in full measure, only when minortiy women participate in the developmental initiatives, in large numbers\', he added.

Dr. Sayeed called upon minortiy youth to enrich their oral and written communication skills in English in order to take a lion\'s share of career opportunities in the present-day globalized world. He advised them to acquire, at the same time, competencies in Urdu, their local language, and Arabic too.

Aamer Javeed, an eminent youth leader at the national horizon of India, urged the youth to come forward to serve the socitey in all possible ways and thereby emerge as leaders at local, provincial, and federal levels. \'There are multiple opportunities for youth in the US too to take up political leadership as a viable career option and they should come forward and tap these exciting opportunities fully\', he added.

Aadil Fareed, President, ICN said that minorities have been playing an active role in the growtht rajectory of the US. \'The ICN, through its multi-pronged approach, is empowering the Indian-Americans to further multiply their cotnribution\', he added.

Shoaib Khadri, Secretary, ICN conducted the proceedings of the Seminar and also proposed a vote of thanks.

Earler, Sami Siddiqi, Member, ICN, in his welcome address, urged Indian-Americans in general and youth in particular to take an active part in the communtiy work and to provide leadership at all levels.

The Seminar was attended by a large number of eminent persons from different walks of life. Dr Talat Khan, President, American Association of Retired Asians, Ghousia Sultana, an eminent litterateur Mr Ashfaq Hussain Syed, Sr Banker & Communtiy leader, Mr Maqood Quadri, Mr Azeem Shareef, Mr. Ahsan Hafeez, Mr. Syed W Abedi, Mr Aiman Baig, Mr Rasheed Ahmed, Mrs Tasneem Osmani, Rashid Salam, etc. also graced the occasion.

Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA

Education holds the master-key for the development of minorities in India