Ministry of Minority Affairs concluded two-day National ‘Chintan Shivir’ at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar, bringing together Union & State Ministers, senior officials, and domain experts to deliberate on a policy-driven roadmap for minority welfare and socio-economic empowerment.
Ministry showcased its key achievements through its key schemes like PMJVK, PMVIKAS, NMDFC, UMEED Central Portal, Haj Modernization and digital initiatives and its vision to achieve Prime Minister's goal of Viksit Bharat @2047. Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju launched NIGRANI App under PMJVK Scheme which contributes in bridging infrastructural gaps across India.
He also launched Haj Wrist Band and AI Chatbots of Ministry of Minority Affairs. Shri Rijiju commended the Ministry team for organizing Chintan Shivir in Nalanda University. He said Nalanda is symbol of India's ancient civilization heritage and a prominent Centre of Excellence.
The Union Minister further highlighted that Chintan Shivir deliberations will help in streamlining Centre-State coordination, stakeholders’ participation and achieve successful implementation at grassroots level. Union MoS for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian while addressing the participants said PMJVK Scheme is instrumental in achieving Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat.
It helped in infrastructural development of Minority Areas across the nation. PMVIKAS, NMDFC, UMEED Central Portal and Haj Initiatives of Ministry are contributing in Minority Welfare and Development. Shri Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, MoMA expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries for attending the event and appreciated State Government and Nalanda Officials for making Chintan Shivir successful.
He also emphasized historic importance of Nalanda and its significance. The goal of Chintan Shivir is to achieve Citizen Participation for Viksit Bharat through Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishvaas and Sabka Prayaas. He said, Prime Minister's goal of Reform Perform Transform and Inform which can only be achieved by involving public-private-community partnership and Jan Bhaagidari, which will also increase transparency and accountability.
Shri Imkong Mar, MLA and Advisor for the Sericulture Department and Minority Affairs, Nagaland, progress and future roadmap of Minority Welfare of India. Minority communities of Nagaland represent cultural and tribal ethos. He appreciated PMJVK and PMVIKAS Schemes for bridging Infrastructural and Skilling Gaps.
Shri Kento Jini, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Arunachal Pradesh appreciated the Ministry scheme and their role in bridging infrastructural and community gaps. He also thanked Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju and Dr CS Kumar Secretary for continued support.
Shri Samdup Lepcha, Minister of Social Welfare, Sikkim emphasized ground level impact of Minority Ministry Schemes and said Chintan Shivir will have impact on promoting welfare and development of the minorities. Shri Sukla Charan Noatia, Minister of Cooperation, Tribal Welfare (TRP & PTG), Welfare of Minorities, Tripura said Ministry is working very hard in achieving Prime Minister's visions of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat
Further, the event proceeded with Focused Group Discussions on Five Themes such as:
i. Infrastructure Development (PMJVK)
ii. Socio-economic Empowerment (PMVIKAS + NMDFC)
iii. Waqf Management
iv. Haj Management
v. Scholarship Schemes
The session was conducted in an interactive format, encouraging active participation from all stakeholders. Participants engaged in facilitated, time-bound discussions across five thematic areas, using guided questions and group exercises to elicit experiences, challenges, and solutions.
These sessions emphasized peer learning, collaborative problem- solving, and consensus-building which inculcated in consolidated insights which will be incorporated in policy and programme improvements of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.