Can tackle radicalism through education: Naqvi

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Education is the key to countering radicalism and ending poverty, said Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday.

The Minister's observation came while felicitating candidates belonging to minority communities who qualified in the the prestigious civil services examination.

Seven candidates - five Muslims and two Jains - have been selected for the civil services this year. They had got financial assistance under the "Nai Udaan" scheme for coaching and preparation of competitive exams.

"These results show that there is no dearth of talent in minority communities. They just need an opportunity and a better atmosphere. Financial assistance for coaching for administrative services examination will be increased for youth belonging to minority communities," Naqvi said.

So far, 3,198 candidates have been provided financial assistance under the scheme. Out of which, 24 candidates have cleared and finally selected in the civil services examination.

Naqvi said that to provide quality education to each and every child, his Ministry will launch mega education campaign "Tahrik-e-Taleem" on October 15, the birth anniversary of former President, the late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

An 11-member committee, constituted by the Ministry to chalk out a detailed road map for educational empowerment of minorities, also submitted its report to Naqvi during Governing Body and General Body meeting of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation.

The committee has recommended opening of new schools in minority concentrated districts, among other things. The Foundation has accepted the recommendations.

Naqvi said about 100 Navoday Vidyalaya-type schools will be opened in minority concentrated areas.

He also said that Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centres will be established in 100 districts across the country to effectively ensure employment oriented skill development of youth belonging to minority communities.

He said in the next six months, these skill centres will be established in Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Indore, Allahabad, Mysore, Gauhati, Patna, Kishanganj, Dehradun, Shahjahanpur, Rampur, Ranchi, Giridih, Tijara, Panipat, Uddhamsingh Nagar, Amritsar and Chandigarh apart from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Noida. Centres will also come up in Goa and Haryana's Mewat region.