A non-governmental organization, the Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), was launched on Nov. 22 at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland.
The organization aims to promote the interests and welfare of Indian minority communities in the United States. The launch was attended by members of the Indian American diaspora from a variety of minority communities.
Jasdip Singh, a Sikh philanthropist and businessman, has been appointed as the founder and chairman of AIAM, according to an official statement. He will be joined by seven Indian American leaders from various communities of the Indian diaspora who will serve as the board of directors. They include Baljinder Singh, Dr Sukhpal Dhanoa (both Sikhs), Pawan Bezwada and Elisha Pulivarti (both Christians), Dipak Thakker (Hindu), Juned Qazi (Muslim) and Nissim Reuben (Indian Jewish).
During the event, the organization and Washington Adventist University jointly presented the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (in absentia). The dignitaries present on the occasion included Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Indian Minorities Federation convener Satnam Singh Sandhu and Dr Jasdeep S Chandhok.
Minority members praised PM Modi as the "icon of India's constitutional commitment to secularism," claiming that under his leadership, India has gained global stature and that the diaspora is now proud of its Indian heritage. “PM Modi has nurtured an atmosphere for peaceful co-existence for all communities to live in communal harmony and country is united like never before,” they added.
On the occasion, Jasdip Singh stated that the Indian Minority Diaspora will serve as a catalyst in the realization of Prime Minister Modi's vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. “In the past 10 years, PM Modi has emerged as strong leader at the global level. In New India under PM Modi’s leadership, it is not about a particular religion, sect or caste, it is about Indians who are getting equal opportunities.”
“PM Modi has implemented schemes and initiatives for the welfare of minority communities in India without any discrimination,” Satnam Singh Sandhu highlighting the government’s mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, which he asserted gives a message of an inclusive India.
According to Indian diaspora members, the last decade has sent a clear message that India stands united in its diversity, despite efforts to sow communal discord among India's minority groups. They claimed that India's minority groups are safe from the clutches of anti-social, anti-India forces that seek to discredit the country and impede its development.
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