The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Focus on education, Muslim youth told

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Thursday, Feb 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Focus on education, Muslim youth told

Staff Reporter

Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

WELL DONE: Two students are elated after receiving scholarships from Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday.

Hyderabad: The government will do everything possible to raise the educational levels of Muslims. “This is a pro-minority government. Take advantage of the help we are offering,” Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy told a large gathering of minority students here on Wednesday.

He was giving away scholarships and fee reimbursement amount to deserving minority candidates at a function organised by the Minority Welfare Department.

The Congress Government was committed to improving the lot of minorities which was clear from the budget earmarked for their welfare. When this government came into office the total amount of scholarships given was just Rs.4 crore. This was raised to Rs. 10 crore in the second year and gradually to Rs. 90 crore this year.

Next year a sum of Rs. 125 crore had been provided for scholarships to minority students, the Chief Minister said amid applause. He urged the students to put in extra efforts in their studies. “We want every minority boy and girl to educated,” Dr. Reddy said.

24,619 students

A sum of Rs. 245.62 lakh was disbursed to 24,619 students towards pre and post-matric scholarships in Hyderabad district. Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohd. Ali Shabbir, said the government was ready to finance the education of minority children and it was for the latter to seize the opportunity. This year the government had introduced a new scheme of funding the marriage of poor minority women. With a tie-up with Infosys, the Minority Welfare Department was imparting training to engineering students, he said.

MP’s plea

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi appreciated the steps being taken by the government to ameliorate condition of minorities in the State. He wanted the amount proposed in the current budget for minorities’ welfare to be enhanced from Rs. 177 crore to Rs. 200 crore. He asked the Muslim youth to get educated if they want bring a revolution in their lives.

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