Naqvi lays foundation stone for first world-class institute for poor & minorities

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday laid foundation stone for Rs 1,000-crore first world-class educational institute and hoped it will start functioning in two years.

"The first world-class educational institute in Alwar will prove to be a milestone for affordable, accessible and quality education to the poor and weaker sections, including minorities," Naqvi said at a function organized in Alwar to mark the commencement of work on the project.

Noting that the institute will help the poor sections to enroll, the minister said India has many universities, colleges, but the "weaker sections are unable" to enter these institutions due to financial burden.

"We have proposed 40 per cent reservation for girls in this institute," the minister said, adding it would start functioning in 2020.

Naqvi said because of Prime Minister Modi's educational empowerment programmes, the school dropout rate among Muslim girls, which was earlier more than 70 per cent, has now come down to about 35-40 per cent.

According to the ministry, a three-member committee of the ministry and members of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation have been formed to chalk out the entire process of the institute.

The research centre will provide education in technical, medical, ayurveda, Unani and job-oriented skill development courses, the minister said, adding it has provision for labs libraries, educational facilities for primary to higher studies.

He lauded efforts of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and said the state government has given 15-acre land for the construction of the institute.

The minister reiterated that Bharatiya Janata Party will fight the next general elections only on the development plank, and not on vote-bank politics.

--IANS

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