Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh University signs MoU with Washington Adventist University, USA for academic exchange, collaboration in areas of interest
Indo-US Bilateral Ties will Soar to New Heights under Modi 3.0 & Trump 2.0: say US Administration officials at Washington.
Babusahi Bureau
Washington (USA), November 23, 2024: Marking 10 successful years of Indo-US Strategic Partnership for Equitable World, Global Equity Alliance Summit was hosted by Washington Adventist University here at Sligo Seventh Day-Adventist Church, Carroll Ave at Maryland in Washington, USA on November 22.
Aimed primarily at advancing minority empowerment by fostering dialogue on minority welfare and education, renowned academicians, business and thought leaders and policymakers held prolonged deliberations on various facets of the decade-long impact of minority reforms under PM Modi in India.
A special prayer led by Dr Jiwan Stefan Moon, Chaplain of Washington Adventist University was also held for global peace and harmony at the Sligo Seventh Day-Adventist Church.
During the summit, Washington Adventist University & Association of American Indian Minorities honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Dr Martin Luther King Jr Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment.The award was presented to PM Modi in recognition of his works done for the minority welfare and peace efforts undertaken in last 10 years.
The abrogation of Article 370 under Modi government ushered in lasting peace in Jammu & Kashmir and terrorism-related activities hit the rock bottom. PM Modi has been instrumental in his peacekeeping efforts amid Russia-Ukraine war. PM Modi also ensured safety of Hindus during conflict in Bangladesh and took measures to end humanitarian crisis along its border with Myanmar.
The event was attended by Congressmen, top US Administration officials, renowned academicians, researchers, industry leaders and officials from the local administration were also present at the occasion. Prominent among those who attended the event were David j Byrd, Former National Director for US Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, Dr Sukhpal Singh Dhanoa, White House Correspondent, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha (India) and Convener of Indian Minorities Federation, David Pillai, Chairman, Transworld Educare Pvt Ltd, Professor Ken Cherian, Dr John Daniel, Senior Pastor, Southern Asian Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Dr Cheryl Harris Kisunzu, Provost of Washington Adventist University, US Administration officials and leaders from different walks of life from Indian Minority diaspora in United States of America.
During the summit, a research paper highlighting the ‘Transformation of Minorities in the Past Decade in India’ was presented by the Provost of Washington Adventist University, Dr Cheryl Harris Kisunzu, which was attended by officials, faculty members and students at the university.
Later, two high-level panel discussions on ‘Leadership Inclusivity Bridging Communities through policies and Governance’ and ‘Transforming lives through Education empowering Minority communities’ were held that dwelt on the complex issues surrounding minority welfare, leadership, education and inclusive governance. With its long-standing commitment to inclusivity, interfaith dialogue and educational empowerment of minorities Washington Adventist University (WAU) stand as a landmark on minority education. The university’s core values perfectly align with the objectives of this event, where education is highlighted as a critical vehicle for minority upliftment and social progress. The summit is aimed at exploring the evolving role of minorities in higher education and how visionary leadership can transform the educational landscape for marginalized communities worldwide.
Praising the strong camaraderie shared between President Elect Donald Trump and PM Modi, top US Administration officials & members of Indian diaspora said Indo-US bilateral ties under Trump and PM Modi are all set to soar to greater heights serving not just the mutual interests of both the nations but will also usher in an era of global peace, progress, and prosperity for all.
Hailing PM Modi for ensuring unprecedented empowerment of minority communities in India in the last decade, minority Indian diaspora leaders said, “Modi Mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas has not only ensured socio-economic empowered of minority communities in India but also made them an equal partner in the nation’s growth story. A slew of welfare schemes coupled with educational reforms have ushered in an era of equal empowerment of all minority communities in last one decade. India under the leadership of PM Modi has replaced politics of appeasement with inclusive development without discrimination against any community.”
Dr Cheryl Harris Kisunzu, Provost of Washington Adventist University, said, “This Summit specific to equity and the alliances that we can form together to impact our world, a global impact. I have the privilege during today's Summit to unwrap insights from a paper that summarizes the initiatives that have been taken and the country of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi to ensure access and equity and esteem. As I was reading the paper, I was mindful of the observation made by John Maxwell, who is a global leader and who looks and studies leadership. And he declares that no country, no organization rises any higher than the leader. So, I see in Prime Minister Modi and I see in Martin Luther King Jr, parallels. And that they recognize the power of a dream, a dream where all people are, esteemed have value, have access. So, I will share examples from the paper of legal actions in the country of India that are making a difference for Access esteem and equity. This Summit today not only reflects on the last 10 years of India's Journey under the Prime Minister, but it challenges us to reach new heights for 21st century access and esteem and equity. Not just for the citizens of India, but for our world and it is to this that we are dedicated.”
During research paper presentation ‘Transformation of Minorities in the Past Decade in India’, Dr Kisunzu, Provost of Washington Adventist University said, “India under the leadership of PM Modi has seen unprecedented educational reforms that has transformed the lives of minorities in the last one decade. PM Modi has ensured financial empowerment of Minorities through initiatives like PM Jan Dhan Yojana and PM Mudra Yojana. As a result thousands of minority-owned businesses have thrived from 2014 to 2024.”
“With CAA, Modi government is providing asylum to thousands of persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries. Through historic move such as abolition of Triple Talaq, Modi government ensured that fast divorce was made unlawful for the Muslim population. Moreover, there were 1.5 million graduates among minorities in 2014 and it rose to 2.2 million graduates in 2024. The number of Start-Ups by minorities have increased from 10,000 in 2014 to 40,000 in 2024.”
A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Chandigarh University, India and Washington Adventist University, US for establishing programs of exchange and collaboration in areas of interest for mutual benefit of both institutions.
This collaboration will explore opportunities for students such as short term or long term mobility such as summer schools, semester abroad, articulation and exchange, progression for students into Master’s or Doctorate programs, identify opportunities for exchange of faculty, research staff and administration staff and make faculty and students aware of the academic programs, research institutes and educational resources of each other’s institution for joint workshops, conferences and co-publishing and cultural exchange and identify other areas of possible interest and collaboration.
Pakistan needs Strong and Nationalist Leader like Prime Minister Modi: Sajad Tarar, a Pakistani American residing in Washington for 35 years
Sajad Tarar, a Pakistani American, who is residing in Washington for 35 years said, “Today when we look at Bharat, the only figure that comes to the mind is that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi Ji’s biggest contribution to India is the nationalism. Under his visionary leadership, India today has become 5th largest economy in the world and on course to become 3rd largest economy soon. PM Modi has strong persona and leadership qualities; owing to his remarkable efforts, India has been transforming from a regional power to a superpower. I always say that Pakistan also needs a strong and nationalist leader like Prime Minister Modi so that Pakistan can also advance in information technology, finance, leadership, dedication, clarity and nationalism in this new century. PM Modi always says Bharat first.
Long-pending issues of Minorities were resolved under Modi government: Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Convener of Indian Minorities Federation
Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Convener of Indian Minorities Federation said, “The world is looking at Modi 3.0 and Trump 2.0 with great hopes as both the leaders have shared their pledge to work together for establishing global peace and ending wars.”
Praising PM Modi for empowerment of Minorities in India, Sandhu said, “India’s economic growth can be seen from the fact that more than 250 million people have come out of poverty during the last 10 years in India. To empower minorities communities and make them equal partner in India’s growth story, PM Modi has undertaken slew of unprecedented measures in the last 10 years. The Modi Mantra of Sabka Sath, Sabha Vikas, Sabka Prayaash, Sabka Vishvash has seen equitable and inclusive growth of the people belonging to all the religions and communities. People belonging to minority communities have shown their growing trust under the leadership of PM Modi as they have witnessed their long-pending issues being resolved during the last 10 years.”
“If the Sikh community have seen opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor which was a long-pending demand for over 7 decades being realised, the Muslim community saw empowerment of Muslim women by abolishing Triple Talaq. On one hand, PM Modi is strengthening the socio-economic condition of Minorities through 3 Es (Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship) while on the other hand Modi Ji is investing heavily to build tourism corridors of all the minority communities through which the pilgrims can be offered a better connectivity with their places of worship,” added Sandhu.
Sharing some figures from the slew of measures taken for the empowerment of minority communities in India, Sandhu added, “As many as 30.8 million scholarships have been granted to students of Minority communities for ensuring their access to quality education. Nearly 40,000 Madrassas have been upgraded so that they can provide skill-based and employment-oriented education to the Muslim youth. 20 per cent of the total loans given under PM Mudra Yojana to promote entrepreneurship have been to the people from Minority communities. 31 per cent of the total 20.3 million homes built under PM Awas Yojana have been given to the people of Minority communities and 1.5 million youth of minority communities have been given Skill Development training to enhance their employability during the last 10 years of PM Modi.”
PM Modi Empowering Minorities through Inclusive Policies: Dr Jiwan Stefan Moon, Chaplain of Washington Adventist University
Dr Jiwan Stefan Moon, Chaplain of Washington Adventist University said, “I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support and leadership and empowering minorities though his inclusive policies. I would also like to appreciate PM Modi’s leadership in inclusiveness and advancing democracy as we collaborate and partner along the multiculturism and diversity. We are excited that the new partnership is happening between US and Bharat which is great where the pioneers countries representing democracies inclusion and equity come together. India and United States are the frontiers, pioneers of human rights, equity and inclusiveness.
PM Modi built India’s wonderful relationship with US, says Gurpreet Preet Takhar, chair, Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs
Gurpreet Preet Takhar, chair, Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs in Maryland, “Today I am here to support Indian diaspora of Maryland and US and support PM Modi and his government specially for the wonderful relationship they have built over the years. And this America-India partnership is the most important relationship. We have got 4 million Indian diaspora in US. And I am also here to support the alliances of education because the students who come here, there are 200 thousand students in US who come every year to US from India. They bring a big part of our culture, out heritage to keep the relationship of India and US strong. That’s what I am here to support for.”
A member of Hindu community, Manavasi Arya said there are lots of challenges when it comes to minority in US, specially it comes to Indian minorities. However we are reckoning as a force we are coming here as Indians we are doing amazing work here in all fields including technology, defense, medical. We have left nothing. I think that’s what this America has given us as Indians here. I am here to support the Summit because who could have thought that as Indians in America we would be leading the minority. And that’s what I have come to support.”