India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: A national convention on “Strategies and Planning for Educational Renaissance” was organized by EmpowerIndia Trust at the India Islamic Cultural Centre last Saturday.
Mohammed Khalid Khan, Founder Trustee and Chairman of EmpowerIndia, emphasized the crucial role of education in elevating individuals and communities. He stated that education not only enlightens but also empowers people to advocate for their rights and ensure their survival. He highlighted the concerning fact that India does not rank among the top 10 most educated countries, underscoring the need for a shift in priorities to enhance educational standards.
The EmpowerIndia Trust has initiated a pilot project featuring a vocational training centre that offers various paramedical courses, including Diplomas in Hospital Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Lab Technology, Operation Theatre Technology, Radiology and Imaging Technology, Physiotherapy, Electrocardiogram, and Emergency Treatment. Additionally, the Trust aims to establish a center of excellence in legal education.
Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, Chairman of the Zakat Foundation of India, chaired the conference and stressed the importance of utilizing existing government schemes. He noted that many students remain unaware of beneficial programmes available to them due to insufficient information dissemination. Dr. Mahmood called for increased awareness and proper counselling to help students access these resources.
Prof. Rehan Khan Suri, Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training at Jamia Millia Islamia and former Pro Vice-Chancellor of DSEU, asserted that education is a responsibility, not a charity. He highlighted the Right to Education Act, 2009, which mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years. He pointed out that the educational level among minorities is currently below 6%, indicating an urgent need for targetted collaboration and support at the district level.
Mr. Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Deputy Speaker of the Exile Government of Tibet, spoke about the importance of a nurturing home environment for fostering education. He advocated for a blend of classical and modern holistic education to instill kindness and enlightenment in children.
Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Qureshi, Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Education, Government of India, shared his perspective on the global respect accorded to educated individuals, reiterating the adage that “the pen is mightier than the sword.”
Dr. MM Ansari, a distinguished scholar and former interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir, raised concerns about the educational disparities faced by the Muslim community, noting a 10-year gap behind the national average. He highlighted the high dropout rates in higher education due to costs and called for low-cost, affordable education, teacher training programs, and a collaborative approach to improve outcomes.
Mr. Mohammad Talha Hanafi, Group Chairman of FuGen Group of Companies from Allahabad, stressed the need to identify and address core issues at the grassroots level. He advocated for capacity building among the underprivileged, emphasizing the potential for transforming beneficiaries into benefactors. He shared his vision of using profits from IT sector projects and donations to support capacity-based education for needy students.
Other speakers included Prof. Dr. Vipin Kumar Tripathi from IIT, renowned scholars Moulana Ghulam Rasool Baliyawi and Advocate ZK Faizan, social activist Ms. Sameen Adeeb, and various educational activists and professionals. Naushad Ahmed Khan, Advocate at the Supreme Court and Joint Secretary of EmpowerIndia Trust, delivered the vote of thanks.
This convention highlighted the collective responsibility to address educational challenges in India and the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to achieve a renaissance in education.
