IMPHAL, June 8: Appealing to the minority Muslim community to educate their daughters, state Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said when everyone is well educated there will be a progressive society.
Unlike in the past, the percentage of Muslims pursuing education has increased and the government will do whatever possible under Right to Education, and look after for modernisation of Madrassa, he said.
The CM was speaking at a one day political convention of minority organised by Minority Department Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) at Congress Bhavan here today.
He urged the minorities in the state to preserve and follow one’s religion and culture.
The infant mortality rate has decreased to 11 out of 1000 which is second to Goa with 10 out of 1000 as the Muslim minority here started following the institutional delivery system.
Singh also urged not to take unnecessary risk in delivery by saying that this is an option to avoid suppression of minority.
Pointing to the resolutions passed at the one day convention today, Singh assured to look into the matter.
Regarding the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Program, he said Rs 300 crores have been already approved for the welfare of minority by the PM.
It is a matter of pride that we are born in a secular country where there is freedom of religion.
We should not think that we are minority. All the people are same in the eyes of the government.
He stressed that the state government also like the implementation of Inner Line Permit System which was once there in the state and so it had pressured the central government to restore it.
During the convention, Aneesh Durani, secretary Minority Department All India Congress Committee (AICC) stressed that Congress party and the minority have the relationship of a family. This meeting is not related to any elections but the Congress party since its inception has been related with the minority.
If the people of the society do not move forward then it cannot be called a developed or strong state. When all the citizens are equally strong, educated and healthy the country will be strong. The objective of Congress party is that all the citizens move forward, he asserted.
Speaking at the occasion, Gaikhangam, President MPCC and Deputy CM Manipur appreciated the Minority Department MPCC for organising such a convention saying that it is also to discuss about the policy and programs of the government.
The MPCC has opened frontal organisation and cells so that all the communities are covered and no other parties do. Strengthening Congress party is strengthening the state. The party is the saviour of the minority and down trodden people and the CM is the Messiah, Deputy CM asserted.
He continued to say that the minorities have supported and strengthened the Congress party in earlier elections, and we have to prepare for 2014 election.
It is ridiculous and absurd that some leaders of other political parties stated that the winning of 42 Congress candidates out of 60 seats in the last Assembly election is achieved by false means, he said.
The state government’s decision that Madrassa Modernisation Schemes which is one of the components of the said PM’s Programme should be administered and implemented by the Wakf Board through MOBC Department should be made to continue. Sufficient grant to Madrassas for their modernisation and recognition of Madrassas education should be given, it said.