A non-government organisation, Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) was launched in March at New Delhi with an aim of bringing people of different minority communities together on a common platform with a mission to inculcate the spirit of communal harmony and participate as ‘one nation one family’ for the development of the country
The Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) launched its first international chapter at Melbourne in Australia during a ceremony held on April 24, to expand its efforts to bring Indian minority communities on a common platform, reported babushahi.com.
IMF convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu and founder Himani Sood were present at the launching ceremony where the President of Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council Sarabjot Singh Dhillon and Rupinder Brar, an eminent entrepreneur of Indian origin in Australia and chairman of Punvec group, were the guest of honours.
Besides the members of Indian diaspora, the ceremony was also attended by the religious gurus, preachers, intellectuals, academicians, and scholars of different religions.
The attendees included Imtiaz Naveed Ahmed, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community; Bishop Philip Huggins, form Anglican Church Australia; Ali Mohammad Founder of Plannet Wealth; Bhante Adhishila, Buddhist head leader; Ben Bowler, Executive Director, Unity Earth, Global Network for Peace and University, Martin Mellow, Partner, HWL Australia.
Meanwhile, during the ceremony, Satnam Singh Sandhu, announced Rupinder Brar, Emmient Indian Businessman and Chairman, The Punvec Group as the chairman of the Australian chapter of Indian Minorities Foundation.
A non-government organization, Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) was launched in March at New Delhi with an aim of bringing people of different minority communities together on a common platform with a mission to inculcate the spirit of communal harmony and participate as ‘one nation one family’ for the development of the country.
IMF convenor, Satnam Singh Sandhu, during the ceremony said that IMF’s prime objective is to prepare a roadmap for the role and contribution of minority communities in the Modi government’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.
“The launch of Australia chapter is with a motto to expand its reach and boundaries to fulfill its objectives and pave a way for an inclusive and developed society.”
“It also aims to connect the Indian diaspora with their motherland and contribute in its development as a global leader,” Sandhu said, adding that the number of Indians living in Australia is 3% of the total population of the country and their contribution in Australian economy is 19.4 billion US dollars.
Satnam Singh Sandhu, said, “No Prime Minister has understood the aspirations and expectations of minorities than Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 75 years of Independence and taken some landmark initiatives for their welfare. During PM Modi’s next visit to Australia in May, an IMF delegation will meet him and apprise him about their issues and concerns.”
He further stated that false propaganda to tarnish the image of India is being carried out by some western agencies with vested interests but the minority communities feel safe and secure under the leadership of PM Modi.
On the occasion, Rupinder Brar, said that this foundation will be strong base for promoting harmony and cooperation among all the Indian minorities living in Australia.
“We live, work, and enjoy lives in Australia but we must come together at a one platform to address our issues and raise our concerns,” he said.
“It is an important principle to be attentive to the minorities, and their needs, as they sometimes can be overlooked in the influence of the majorities. And, the launch of IMF’s Australian chapter is a significant initiative for the welfare and upliftment of the minorities. It will help in ensuring mutual understanding and harmony between the communities, and how they look after each other, how well the Majorities look after the Minorities.”
— Bishop Philip Huggins, Anglican Church Australia
“A considerable percentage of Indians living in Australia belong to the minority communities and Australia chapter of IMF was much needed to bring them on a single platform. IMF Australia will make sure that people from different communities participate and celebrate the festivals of each other’s communities, he said, adding that IMF Australia will soon announce its executive committee comprising of people from different faiths. “
Imtiaz Naveed Ahmed, a representative of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said, “IMF has been launched with a purpose of providing a forum to all the Minorities to communicate their opinions and issues. It will recognise the contributions of Minorities, and connect them with the Majorities, which will help in achieving harmony between different faiths.”
Appreciating the efforts of PM Modi, Imtiaz Naveed said that he has been working to bring all religions in India on a common platform and focusing on the welfare and progress of each community, and must continue to do so.
While welcoming the launch of IMF chapter, Ben Bowler, from Unity Earth, which is a global platform working for unity of humanity, said that it is a very important and much needed initiative, and it important that we go towards unity and progress and hear the voices of the minorities.
“It is good step to bring the minorities together and we appreciate it,” he said.
Bishop Philip Huggins, form Anglican Church Australia, said, “It is an important principle to be attentive to the minorities, and their needs, as they sometimes can be overlooked in the influence of the majorities. And, the launch of IMF’s Australian chapter is a significant initiative for the welfare and upliftment of the minorities. It will help in ensuring mutual understanding and harmony between the communities, and how they look after each other, how well the Majorities look after the Minorities.”
He further added that Prime Minister Modi is focusing on the betterment of the Minorities in India and taking initiatives for their welfare.
Ali Mohammad, who has been living in Australia since 2004 and runs a financial planning practice, said that launching of IMF’s Australia chapter was a good initiative and involved everyone towards prosperity and helped India become a global leader.
On PM Narendra Modi’s decision to abolish the triple talaq, he said, “It is useful and it will make a difference in the community.”
Bhante Adhishila, a prominent Buddhist leader, who hailed the launch of IMF Australia chapter, said that the world was a family and we all belong to the same family.
“The unfortunate incident of Bomb blast in 2013 in which our religious place was attacked in Bodh Gaya had created a sense of fear and insecurity in the Buddhist community but no such incident happened during the last nine years and there is visible change under the leadership of PM Modi. Our community feels safe in India now,” he said.
Martin, a representative of an NGO in Australia, who originally hails from Kerala in India, said that the IMF is a great platform for the minorities to come together, share their experiences, knowledge, and ideas, and support each other in the progress of respective communities.
Speaking on India’s mission to become a developed nation by 2047, he said that without tolerance and acceptance of all the religions, no country can develop.
“It can be only be possible if the nation accepts, tolerates, and encourages secularity, and all religions have a safe place to flourish.”
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