Recently, the Indian-American community came together to honor India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Global Peace Award for Minority Upliftment. This accolade was presented during the launch event of the newly formed Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM) at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland. The initiative is aimed at unifying and promoting the welfare of minority communities within the Indian-American population.
Though PM Modi was unable to be present, his contributions to minority welfare and inclusive development were recognized by those attending the event. The award was jointly bestowed by Washington Adventist University and AIAM. AIAM's first initiative is to establish itself as a supportive network for Indian-American minorities.
At the heart of AIAM's mission, as expressed by its Chairman, renowned Sikh philanthropist Jasdip Singh, is the commitment to fulfill PM Modi's vision of "Viksit Bharat" by the year 2047. Singh elaborated on how Modi's leadership has led to India adopting inclusive policies, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of their background or faith.
Singh's board of directors includes representatives from various Indian minority communities, such as Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and Jews. This diverse governance structure exemplifies AIAM's intention to unite various cultural and religious groups within the broader Indian-American community.
The event also featured insights from other influential Indian-American figures. Satnam Singh Sandhu, a member of Parliament and convener of the Indian Minorities Federation, praised Modi's approach known as "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," highlighting its role in promoting communal harmony and fostering equal opportunities.
Members of the Indian minority diaspora expressed gratitude for PM Modi's commitment to uphold India's constitutional framework of secularism. They commended his efforts to reinforce unity and counteract any narratives aimed at creating division.
Jewish Indian-American representative Nissim Reuben shared historical anecdotes illustrating India's legacy of interfaith harmony, stating, "What is not well-known is the absence of anti-Semitism throughout India's 2,000-year history." He emphasized how India celebrates its multicultural makeup, including the Jewish heritage intertwined with its social fabric.
Reuben pointed out how the majority of students at Jewish schools located within Muslim-majority neighborhoods are Muslims themselves. This exemplification of communal cooperation showcases the resilience of Indian society against divisive forces, especially during periods of political unrest.
"We proudly say our motherland, India, has no history of anti-Semitism," Reuben stated, urging Western societies to recognize and appreciate this aspect of India's heritage, as highlighted by initiatives such as PM Modi's acknowledgment of these historical ties.
