New Delhi, February 19 – Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, launched the NIGRANI App under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) scheme on Thursday to address infrastructure gaps, and also unveiled the Haj Wristband and Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots.
Commending the Ministry of Minority Affairs team for organizing a 'Chintan Shivir' at the Nalanda University in Bihar, Union Minister Rijiju said that Nalanda is a symbol of India's ancient civilization heritage and a prominent Centre of Excellence, according to a statement.
"The NIGRANI App is designed to enhance transparency, real-time monitoring, and the implementation of infrastructure projects in areas with a high concentration of minorities. It aims to bridge development gaps, improve coordination between the Centre and state governments, and advance the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision," it added.
The Union Minister highlighted that the deliberations during the 'Chintan Shivir' would help in streamlining Centre-state coordination, stakeholder participation, and achieving successful implementation at the grassroots level.
The event brought together Union and state Ministers, senior officials, and domain experts to discuss a policy-driven roadmap for the welfare and socio-economic empowerment of minorities.
The Ministry also showcased its key achievements through schemes such as PMJVK, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Central Portal, Haj modernisation and digital initiatives, and its vision to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Focused discussions were held on Infrastructure Development (PMJVK); Socio-economic Empowerment (PM VIKAS + NMDFC); Waqf Management; Haj Management and Scholarship Schemes, according to an official statement.
Minister of State (MoS) for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, said that the PMJVK Scheme is instrumental in achieving Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.
"It has helped in the infrastructural development of minority areas across the nation. PM VIKAS, NMDFC, UMEED Central Portal, and the Haj initiatives of the Ministry of Minority Affairs are contributing to the welfare and development of minorities," MoS Kurian added.
Minority Affairs Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries for attending the event and appreciated the state government and Nalanda officials for making the 'Chintan Shivir' a success.
The goal of the 'Chintan Shivir' is to achieve citizen participation for Viksit Bharat through "Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishvaas and Sabka Prayaas".
He said, the Prime Minister's goal of "Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform" can only be achieved by involving public-private-community partnerships and 'Jan Bhaagidari' (public Participation), which will also increase transparency and accountability.
Imkong Mar, MLA from Nagaland and Advisor for the Sericulture Department and Minority Affairs, talked about the progress and future roadmap for the welfare of minorities in India.
He said that the minority communities of Nagaland represent the cultural and tribal ethos and appreciated the PMJVK and PM VIKAS schemes for bridging infrastructural and skilling gaps.
Kento Jini, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Arunachal Pradesh, appreciated the Ministry's schemes and their role in bridging infrastructural and community gaps.
Samdup Lepcha, Social Welfare Minister of Sikkim, emphasised the ground-level impact of the Minority Ministry schemes and said that the 'Chintan Shivir' will have an impact on promoting the welfare and development of minorities.