Mumbai:

In an interaction with a Media delegation from the Gulf countries and WANA (West Asia and North Africa) in New Delhi on Wednesday, Minister of Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid presented various facets of the policies and schemes for the overall development and welfare of the Minorities that are part of Government of India’s basic policy ‘mantra’ of inclusive growth of all sections of society.

Salman Khurshid said that the basic idea of unity and harmony percolates to all the policies and schemes that are meant for the development and welfare of Minorities in India.

“And these policies”, he said, “Have not only seen the Minorities in good stead in this country which has the second highest population of Muslims in the world, but has seen them rise to the highest offices of the State.”

The Media delegation, which consisted of journalists also from Egypt and Tunisia – the countries that have undergone massive politico-social changes in recent times – asked questions on a wide spectrum of issues concerning Minorities and the inter-relationship between the Majority and the Minority communities in a secular, democratic India.

They also wanted to know the complexities in dealing with situations when in such a pluralistic society there may be a strife between the communities.

Khurshid informed the delegation that though there are instances when there is a communal clash, but all such instances are dealt with utmost conviction of national unity and harmony and the nation as a whole always decries such happenings and stands against them.

He said that India has been lucky to have such visionary leaders and statesmen as Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, who steered this nation on a path of progress that ensures equality, development and justice to all sections of society, including the Minorities – to the extent that Indian Constitution has specific safeguards and Fundamental Rights granted to the Minorities.

In this context Salman Khurshid gave details of various schemes and programmes being implemented by his Ministry of Minority Affairs for the welfare and inclusive growth of the Minorities.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Home> National> News / by Hena Farhat, Ummid.com / Wednesday, July 04th, 2012