Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Association of Indian American Minorities launched in Washington to unite, support Indian Minority diaspora in US
PM Modi honored with Dr Martin Luther King Jr Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment by Washington Adventist University & Association of American Indian Minorities
Babushahi Bureau
Washington (US), November 23, 2024– A non-governmental organization, the Association of Indian American Minorities(AIAM), was launched on Friday at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland in the presence of Indian American diaspora, belonging to various minority communities, for promoting the interests and welfare of minority communities in the US.
An official statement said while renowned Sikh philanthropist and businessman in US, Jasdip Singh Jassi has been appointed as the Founder and Chairman of AIAM, seven Indian American leaders belonging to different communities of Indian diaspora have also been included in the Board of Directors.
These seven members include Baljinder Singh, Dr Sukhpal Dhanoa (both Sikhs), Pawan Bezwada and Elisha Pulivarti (both Christians), Dipak Thakker (Hindu), Juned Qazi (Muslim) and Nissim Reuben (Indian Jewish). The initiative aims to unite and promote the welfare of minority communities within the Indian American diaspora in the United States.
During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured (in absentia) with the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment. The award was jointly presented by Washington Adventist University and AIAM, recognising his efforts towards inclusive development and minority welfare.
The dignitaries present on the occasion included Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Indian Minorities Federation convener Satnam Singh Sandhu and Dr Jasdeep S Chandhok.
On the occasion, members of Indian minority diaspora who came on one platform during the launch ceremony said PM Modi has brought an end to the culture of appeasement to ensure that everyone prospers through his path-breaking initiatives and policies in the past 10 years.
They said under PM’s leadership, there is no discrimination with anybody on the basis of caste or religion when it comes to the distribution of benefits of government schemes to eligible beneficiaries.
Indian American diaspora belonging to various minority communities said India has gained a global stature under PM Modi’s leadership and this has instilled a sense of pride among the Indian diaspora about their own heritage.
They said PM Modi is the icon of India’s constitutional commitment to secularism and has nurtured an atmosphere for peaceful co-existence for all communities to live in communal harmony and country is united like never before.
Members of Indian minority diaspora said since the beginning of his first term in office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented schemes and initiatives for the welfare of minority communities in India without any discrimination.
They said the Modi government has brought historic legislations like Muslim Women (Protection Of Rights On Marriage) Act to ban Triple Talaq and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to grant citizenship to religious minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh over the past decade which shows PM’s efforts to ensure the protection of minority rights in India.
AIAM Founder and Chairman, Jasdip Singh Jassi says Indian needs unity to counter separatist movements and divisive forces
Sharing his vision for the Association's growth and its potential global impact, AIAM Founder and Chairman, Jasdip Singh Jassi said AIAM will focus on promoting the interests and welfare of Indian Americans, particularly those from minority communities.
He said it will serve as a platform for networking and support among members, promoting unity and representation in the broader American landscape.
“We felt that minorities from India living abroad should come together. If this movement spreads globally, Indian minorities, wherever they reside, will have the opportunity to unite and collaborate. Within this association, we have Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews working together. When minorities unite, their collective strength becomes immense," added Jassi, stressing the importance of solidarity.
Emphasising the importance of unity among minority communities within the Indian-American diaspora, the AIAM chairman said there was urgent need of this unity, particularly in the face of growing separatist movements and divisive forces.
"It's a very special day - it's the need of the hour. Looking at the current scenario - separatist movements in Canada, divides between communities, and attacks on places of worship - it becomes clear that an organisation like ours is essential. We think that when minorities will be united, those separatist forces will not have any say and the silent minority will become a majority against any separatist movements against India. We aim to uphold the values of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India, promoting the idea of a secular and diverse nation where minorities are uplifted," he added.
Jewish Indian-American Nissin Rubin Praises PM Modi for Supporting the Well-being of India’s Jewish Community
A Jewish Indian-American, Nissin Rubin, expressed deep gratitude for India's historical harmony and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in fostering recognition of the country's ancient ties with the Jewish people.
"I am from Ahmedabad (Gujarat) where we proudly say that our motherland, India, is the only country in the world with absolutely no history of anti-Semitism in its 2,000-year history. This is a fact that has been not-so-well-known in the West but is now gaining recognition, thanks to Prime Minister Modi mentioning it in his speeches. While the relationship with Israel is relatively new, spanning the last thirty years, the bonds with the Jewish people are ancient," said Rubin.
“We are looking forward to have robust partnership between the United States, Israel and India. We very grateful to Prime Minister Modi and his cabinet and the entire political leadership of India for the support to the wellbeing of Indian Jewish community. Today, Israel's Jewish are joined me in thanking Prime Minister Modi for making the first ever visit to Israel in 2017. We are looking forward to a robust partnership between the United States, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other partners to ensure a free, stable, prosperous, and secure Middle East,” he added while stressing the importance of collaborative efforts for global peace.
Under PM Modi’s leadership, everyone is being given an equal opportunity to progress by ending the culture of appeasement, says Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Indian Minorities Federation convener Satnam Singh Sandhu said with the mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, PM Modi has given a strong message of an inclusive India where everyone is given an equal opportunity to progress by ending the culture of appeasement.
“In the past 10 years, PM Modi has worked for the social and economic welfare of minority communities in India. With the mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, PM Modi has given a strong message of an inclusive India where everyone is given an equal opportunity to progress. Those who are trying to create a communal divide amongst the minorities in India have been given a strong message in the past decade that India is united with all its diversity. The minority communities in India no longer fall in the trap of anti-social and anti-India elements who try to create a false narrative against our country and try to stop its economic and social progress. As PM, Modi is passionate about ensuring development for all and appeasement towards none. In New India under PM Modi’s leadership, it is not about a particular religion, sect or caste, it is about Indians who are getting equal opportunities,” he said.
Indian American Christian Leader Elisha Pulivarti Thanks PM Modi for Enhancing Opportunities for Minorities
An Indian American from the Christian community, Elisha Pulivarti said, “India has developed very rapidly under the leadership of PM Modi in the last decade. He has improved the economic condition of the children of the Christian community by providing them services like scholarships in education and Mudra loans. During PM Modi’s tenure, the Christian community has become safer and the community has grown tremendously in the past decade. PM Modi has ensured development not only for the Christian community but for all minority communities in India. As a Christian, I support PM Modi and want to work with him for the betterment of India. PM Modi has visited Rome, Italy and met the Pope, this was his second meeting with him. All of us Christian brothers and sisters thank PM Modi for the efforts being made for the welfare minority communities in India,”.
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