IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, Feb 13: “India has long succeeded because of democracy and because of diversity. We all need to work together to build India which is strong, tolerant, just, and which provides its opportunities to all regardless of who people are,” said India-born American entrepreneur, philanthropist Frank F Islam while talking to pressmen at Jamia Millia Islamia here on Monday. Jamia has honoured him with its highest Imtiaz-e-Jamia award.
Azamgarh-born Islam said that if Muslims and Dalits are empowered with education, they can change the landscape of the country.
“It is true that Muslims and Dalits have not done very well in the country. But one of the things that we all have to remember is that if we empower them with education and economic mobility, they can change the world, they can change the landscape of India,” said he with Jamia’s Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmed standing beside him.
“If we extend our hand, our hope, our help and our heart to those who are socially and economically disadvantaged and poor and who are less fortunate, they can change the world. That’s what we need to do. There are 400 million people who can change the world that something India has to recognize.”
Build your own future by getting good education: Frank Islam to students of Jamia
Talking about his own success story in America, Islam who studied at Aligarh Muslim University before moving to the US in 1970s, said: “My story can only happen in America because America has given me the opportunity to succeed. There are the values and the quality that strengthen America that all of us can proudly and truly embrace. That is one of the things that India needs to do and I know it will do that.”
“One advice I will give to all of the students – Muslims, non-Muslims, Dalits and other minorities. You should build your own future by getting good education because education frees the human mind from the shackles of ignorance and education is powerful equalizer to get people out of poverty,” said Frank Islam who was key member of US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
