Kudu Committee recommends ‘inclusive model of development’

Hyderabad, Feb 10 (INN): Prof Amitabh Kundu, a senior scholar with the Centre for the Study of Regional Development at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and Chairperson of the Post Sachar Evaluation Committee said on Tuesday that his Panel has suggested a ‘Diversity Index’ which would be applied to all public and private establishments in India for putting the inclusive model of development into an institutional mode.

Underscoring the need for an inclusive policy framework for development, Prof Kundu in his keynote address at the seminar on Educational Development of Minorities-Policy Initiatives and Impact at Maulana Azad National Urdu University said that the Kerala Model of Development has been appreciated across the board. He expressed reservations over Gujarat Model of Development though, he added, it has celebrity actor like Amitabh Bachan as its ambassador.

The two-day seminar inaugurated this morning was organized by the Department of Political Science with partial financial support from the Central Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Prof. Kundu said that the Muslim community requires an ‘assurance of belonging’ from the Indian State. Putting his faith firmly in the plural composition of the Indian Society Prof Kundu described it as India’s strength and not its weakness.

While quoting the Brookings Institute’s observation that the 21st century belongs to India, he argued that it would not be possible without an inclusive approach, both at the community and the regional levels. If these aspirations are not addressed , India’s growth will decrease and so will its contribution, he remarked.

The inaugural session started with a brief introduction of the objectives of the seminar by Dr. Kaneez Zehra, Head Department of Political Science.

Dr. Fazal Gafoor, President, Muslim Educational Society, Calicut, Kerala, in his speech as Guest of Honour, explained the Kerala Model of Inclusive Development and its success story. He said that there was no notion of minority or majority in the Kerala society. While the Muslims of Kerala are separated from the mainland India, they have been at the forefront of the Indian National movement against the British rule.

Dr. Fazal Ghafoor credited the success of reservation policy of the Government of India and its proper implementation by various government agencies. He pointed out that the proper implementation of the recommendations of the Sachar Committee has taken place in only in Kerala and West Bengal.

Dr. Khawaja M. Shahid, Pro Vice Chancellor of MANUU, presided over the session while Dr. Syed Najiullah, Organising Secretary of the seminar, proposed a vote of thanks.