By TCN News,
New Delhi: Coinciding with the 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the government of India launched the activities of Maulana Azad National Skills Academy (MANAS), a skill development academy at the national level for members of the minority communities.
This academy will serve as a specialised vehicle to implement skill development and upgradation programme for the minority communities. It is an ambitious project focusing at providing skills training or up-gradation of skill in those sectors of economy in which there is shortage or demand is likely to emerge in future, so that they can find gainful employment or self-employment opportunities.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Dr. Najma A. Heptulla, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smt. Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot and the Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, at the launch of pilot Training Program by Maulana Azad National Academy of Skills marking 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, in New Delhi on November 11, 2014.
Dr Najma Heptulla, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, unveiled the foundation stone for launching the activities of MANAS set up by the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs on November 10 here, a government release said. She also inaugurated the office of the Maulana Azad Bhawan, opposite the New Delhi Railway Station Reservation Counter at Chelmsford Road.
The office space has been leased out by Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF). To begin with, MANAS will operate from 4 rooms and first floor premises in the Maulana Azad Bhawan. The open space in front of the building is also planned to be utilised for construction of training facility for MANAS.
Delivering the inaugural address, Dr Najma Heptulla, who also happens to be Grand Niece of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad informed about the life and time of Maulana Saheb. She described him as a towering figure on the Indian political scene and a scholar rated high in the realms of Urdu Literature. He was a dogged freedom fighter and an un-failing upholder of secular and democratic values, she said.
She also highlighted his contributions in shaping the Education System of the country as First Education Minister of Independent India. He gave lot of thrust to Adult literacy, Universal primary education — free and compulsory for all children, girls’ education, diversification of secondary education and vocational training.
The Minister specially appreciated the commendable efforts by MANAS and NMDFC to completely renovate the Maulana Azad Bhawan in record time of one week. With the efforts of MANAS, the entire building in neglected condition so far has been repaired, painted, polished, open space leveled /cleaned and brought to its present shape for use as office and training centre.
The NDMFC will also work towards providing concessional credit flow to those persons who have undergone skills training or want to establish or expand their own business. An MoU was also signed between MANAS and the National Skill Development Corporation for the establishment of an extensive All India Collaborative Network for the academy.