In a rapidly changing world, information holds the key to development. Those, who could constantly update with information, succeed in making their share of the opportunities. The rapid pace of developments in our country is throwing open a sea of opportunities, both in Government and in private sector, in terms of employment and self-employment and more importantly the market and economic opportunities. However, despite the Government’s best efforts of empowering the weaker sections of the society through a plethora of schemes and welfare programs, certain sections have been lagging behind in the development.
A cross-sectional study of the minorities in India reveals that Muslims, who constitute the major chunk among the minorities, are relatively deprived with reference to diverse development indicators. The proportion of Muslim community in poverty population is much larger than other minorities or the average of the nation. This community is grossly underrepresented in all government services and programs as well as in the businesses. The majority of the community lives below the poverty line and has poor asset ownership.
With the widening opportunities in the new global economic order and opening up of the new economic horizons, it becomes imperative for the minorities in general and the Muslim community, in particular, to be at par with other communities. The solution to these problems lies in economic empowerment with all support from across the society, Government and the industry, joined together in a web of cooperation and support.
Indian Minorities Economic Development Agency has been set up with the mission of economic empowerment of the minority community for enhancing the skills, education, and employability by creating awareness about the Governmental schemes and market opportunities, jobs, start-up businesses and entrepreneurship development; and acting as a linkage between the minorities, government, industry and other stakeholders for the implementation of various programs, addressing the critical advocacy needs, creation of civil society organizations and upscaling businesses and skill development programs among the minorities especially focusing on youth. The task is uphill and the challenge is daunting. But I trust we can achieve this. And I take this opportunity to invite you all to join hands in this mission of creating hopes and opportunities for millions of people; and bringing a smile on their faces.
