New Delhi: The Ministry of Minority Affairs has prioritized its focus areas in tune with the national priority for educational and economic empowerment through skill development.
Dr. Najma Heptulla, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, launched the innovative entrepreneurship and skill development programme of Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS) through leading national, international experts.
She also inaugurated two online training centres linked to the beauty and wellness sectors, one in Okhla and the other in Daryaganj.
At the Okhla Centre, famous hair stylist Jawed Habib will provide scientific and systematic training to aspirants wishing to pursue a career in cosmetology.
International beauty expert Shahnaz Hussain will impart training to aspirants at the Daryaganj centre in the area of natural care and cure.
Dr. Heptullah said that it is the desire for excellence in any field of activity that brings recognition to the practitioner and establishes the dignity of labour.
Under a unique and first time initiative, MANAS has come up with an innovative scheme under which it proposes to use such leading celebrities in various skill sets as the driving force behind the skill development projects, in their respective fields, for the benefit of marginalised sections of minority communities.
Dr.Heptulla said that almost 50 percent of the budget would go for the educational empowerment and development of minorities.
She revealed that her ministry has made provisions to make the Maulana Azad National Fellowship demand driven subject to eligibility.
She said that the Centre is committed to the development of minorities in the country under the guiding principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas.
Apart from Habib and Shahnaz Hussain, the other experts who are expected to share their experiences and trade secrets with aspiring students are Wendell Rodricks and Kamal Haasan.
MANAS has identified and launched skill development programmes in various madarsas and other traditional educational institutions that cater to the minorities in Bihar, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. (ANI)