The Telangana Government is determined for all round development of minorities in all fields, particularly in the education field, declared Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali.
He was addressing the Minorities Welfare Day celebrations at Ravindra Bharati on Wednesday. He said that the Government would open 60 Residential Schools for minorities in the state in the new academic year, while every year 60 more such schools would be opened to improve the educational standards of Minority students. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is determined to provide 12% reservations to Muslims and STs in the state’, he said and added, “Passing a bill in the state legislature is not difficult and the bill will be sent to centre for approval”. He said that the Chief Minister himself announced for 12% reservations to Muslims and STs and nobody had ever represented to him in this matter.
The function was held to mark 127th Birth anniversary of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, an eminent scholar, freedom fighter and the first Education Minister of independent India, which was observed as Minorities Welfare Day. Mahmood Ali while highlighting importance education said ‘It is proposed to declare teaching of Urdu in English Medium schools compulsory.’
On this occasion, the prestigious Moulana Abul Kalam Azad national Award was presented to eminent philanthropist Ghiasuddin Babu Khan for his outstanding services for encouraging higher and professional students among minorities and adopting 100 Urdu Medium Schools in the state by employing Vidya Volunteers and teachers and paying their salaries from his funds.
Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatraya paid glowing tributes to Moulana Abul Kalam Azad and spoke about his sacrifices for the country and asked the people to emulate him and follow rich traditions set by him. He advised the students to pay attention on their education and said, “If you learn Urdu better you will learn English better.”
Rajya Sabha MP V. Hunumanth Rao remembered the sacrifices and contribution of Moulana Azad in freedom struggle and said that when he was in jail his wife was seriously ill, the English government wanted to release him on payroll, but he refused by saying that if you agree to leave the country then only I would come out. Such was his patriotism for the country, he said.
MLCs M. Ramchandra Rao and Aminul Hassan jafferi, MLAs Kausar Mohiuddin, Bala Raju and Elvis Stephenson and others participated in the programme. Syed Omer Jaleel, Secretary to Government, Jalauddin Akber Director Minorities Welfare and Prof. S. A. Shukoor also addressed the gathering. B. Shafiullah MD, TSMFC proposed a vote of thanks.
On this occasion Best Urdu Teachers Awards, Best Urdu Students Awards, were also presented to the teachers and students from all over the state. A journalist from KSA, Sameera Azeez, was also presented with an Award. Certificates to the beneficiaries of Shaadi Mubarak and Self Employment Schemes and assets to the women beneficiaries were also presented. (INN)