INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored in absentia on Friday, November 22, by a newly formed non-government organization launched the same day at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland, the United States.
The body, the Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), plans to promote the minority communities’ welfare within the Indian-American diaspora and work towards their unity.
The Indian prime minister was conferred on with the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment. The Washington Adventist University and AIAM jointly presented the award, recognizing Modi’s efforts towards inclusive development and welfare of the minorities.
It may be mentioned here that the Indian leader was recently felicitated during his trip to Nigeria and Guyana. He is one of the contemporary world leaders who has been granted awards by many nations during his decade-long stay in office.
At this prestigious event, PM Modi Ji was conferred the esteemed “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award” for his remarkable contributions to minority welfare and global peace efforts. Landmark initiatives such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the… pic.twitter.com/3HWmDOO0lT
— Indian Minorities Federation (@Minoritiesfdn) November 23, 2024
The summit featured impactful deliberations on minority welfare, education, and inclusive governance where we engaged with global leaders, academicians and policymakers to discuss strategies for empowering marginalized communities and fostering unity through education and… pic.twitter.com/9cGGOXUtSO
— Indian Minorities Federation (@Minoritiesfdn) November 23, 2024
The summit featured impactful deliberations on minority welfare, education, and inclusive governance where we engaged with global leaders, academicians and policymakers to discuss strategies for empowering marginalized communities and fostering unity through education and… pic.twitter.com/9cGGOXUtSO
— Indian Minorities Federation (@Minoritiesfdn) November 23, 2024
Modi’s all-inclusive approach lauded
Sikh philanthropist Jasdip Singh, who was appointed as the chairman of AIAM, stressed on the organization’s role in advancing PM Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, the year it turns 100 as an independent nation. He said under the prime minister, India has taken an all-inclusive approach to ensure equal opportunity for every citizen, irrespective of factors such as religion, caste or sect, according to a report by Asian News International.
Indian parliamentarian Satnam Singh Sandhu, convenor of the Indian Minorities Federation, spoke about the South Asian nation’s transformation under PM Modi. He applauded the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (universal development) approach, saying it not only eradicated the culture of appeasement but also created an atmosphere of communal harmony.
Minorities living US come together for empowering unity! The Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM) launches in Maryland, promoting welfare & interests of minority communities in the US. Jasdip Singh Jassi ji appointed as Founder & Chairman. The initiative aims to unite… pic.twitter.com/FCDZhQixIy
— Satnam Singh Sandhu (@satnamsandhuchd) November 23, 2024
Representatives of India’s minority community eulogized PM Modi’s commitment to upholding the nation’s constitutional values of secularism and securing for it global recognition. They also denounced efforts to sow communal discord and emphasized that the country’s minorities are now actively resisting misleading narratives that threaten the country’s unity and development.
The seven-member board of directors at AIAM represent voices from India’s minority communities, including Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, and Muslims, among others.
(With agency inputs)
South Asians Globally
