Modi seeking educational institutions in Muslim areas: Naqvi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to plan educational institutions in minorities, especially Muslim, populated areas and also to work out details for imparting technical education and skill development to them, said union Minister of State for Minorities Welfare Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

He said here Friday that the prime minister had called a meeting Wednesday, where he asked them to prepare the plans.

Addressing 17th foundation day of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) here, Naqvi said the government would identify and allot land for setting up Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics in minority dominated areas which lack educational facilities.

Stressing the need for more institutions like MANUU, he said the Urdu university could play a key role in educational and economic empowerment mission taken up by the central government.

The minister said along with skill development scheme, the government was entering into MoUs with companies and government departments to provide employment.

"Unemployment is the biggest problem. There are many reasons for it. We discussed it many times but its time to do something," he said.

Underlining the need for educational empowerment of minorities, he said those working in the area of education should lay emphasis on mainstream education.

He suggested that those running 'madarsas' should continue them to teach 'deeniyat' and other religious education but should also open Urdu schools to provide mainstream education.

"Such schools should not only teach Urdu but also English, Hindi and other languages so that children studying up to 8th standard can do something in coming days," he said.

He said when social, economic and educational empowerment would ensure overall empowerment of minorities.

The minister lauded the activities of MANUU in running courses in technical education and in information technology.

"It is not just imparting education in Urdu language but is also teaching tehzeeb. We are part of that culture which is Indian. We should try to reinforce, protect and promote the culture," he added.