Annual Conference of State Minorities Commissions 2013 to Begin Today ‘Sensitivity of the Majority, Responsibility of the Minorities In Secular India’ - Theme of the Conference

The Annual Conference of the State Minorities Commission will begin here this evening. This year the theme of the Conference would be “Sensitivity of the Majority and Responsibility of the Minorities’ in Secular India”. This is in line with the Vision Statement of the National Commission. The Vision Statement also includes the mandate for the Commission to ensure that the minorities do not violate rights of the Members of the majority community in any manner whatsoever.

In line with the Vision Statement of the NCM and the Theme for the Conference, the Conference which is being scheduled for one and half days, would have 3 Sessions. The topics for the 3 Sessions would be “Achieving Communal Harmony”, The Role Minorities must play in securing National Defence and Public Security” and “Education and the Minorities – Access and Form”. Each of the Sessions would be addressed by eminent Speakers who are experts in their respective fields.

The Conference is to be inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice President of India today and would continue on 13th March, 2013. Address is also to be delivered by well known Constitutional Experts and noted Jurist Shri Fali S.Nariman during the Inaugural Session. The Hon’ble Minister for Minority Affairs and the Minister of State for Minority Affairs would also participate in the Inaugural Session.

The Conference is held every year on a theme which the National Commission for Minorities considers as relevant and important to the Minorities and the State Minorities Commissions, the State Governments particularly the Minority Welfare Departments and NGOs dealing with minority issues. Last year, the Annual Conference was on the theme “Police and Minorities” which focussed on the sensitisation of the police towards the minorities and their issues.

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