INDIA. Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid emphasis on the modernization of education and the linking of technology with teaching while inaugurating the new campus of an educational institute by the Dawoodi Bohra community in Mumbai on Friday.
The new campus of “Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah,” or the Saifee Academy, the principle education institute of the Dawoodi Bohra community, is located in Marol, in suburban Andheri in northwestern Mumbai. The Dawoodi Bohra community is a subgroup within Shia Islam that is renowned for its business acumen.
“Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah” was founded in Surat in 1810 by then spiritual head Syedna Abde’ali Saifuddin, and later it opened campuses in Karachi in 1983 and then in Nairobi, with the fourth campus starting in Mumbai on Friday.
“The Indian youth is prepared to lead the world, and as such, it is vital that there be a combination of growth and legacy. At the same time, women’s education must be prioritised. Institutes like “Nalanda” and “Takshshila” were once the pride of India. The Indian education system must be restored to its former brilliance,” PM Modi added.
He said that between 2004 and 2014, there were 145 medical colleges in the country. In comparison, there are now 260 medical schools. Besides, at least one new university and two colleges are being set up in every state per year.
A colonial mindset has to be shed, and education should be imparted in local languages. That is the reason, medical education is now taught in local languages.
He complimented the Dawoodi Bohra community for their efforts to protect learning traditions, literacy, and cultural diversity. He also lauded the community’s participation in social causes like saving water to tide over malnutrition.
“I feel like I’m visiting a family because I’ve had a good relationship with the Dawoodi Bohra community for the past four decades,” Modi said. He added that wherever he goes, members of the community come to meet him.
Modi appreciated that the Dawoodi Bohra community has always transformed itself with new changes, and the new educational campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah is the best example of this innovativeness. He also recalled how Mohammed Burhanuddin was involved in teaching students even at the age of 99.
The Spiritual Head of the Dawoodi Bohras, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, in his welcome speech, lauded the work of Modi in raising the status of India globally and quoted the G-20 presidency, which has come to India due to Modi’s initiative. The motto of “one earth, one family and one future” goes well with “Aljamea” meaning to bring together, he said and wished PM Modi long and healthy life.
The children of the Dawoodi Bohra community greeted PM Modi with a welcome song. Besides the community’s own band troupe, a troupe specially requisitioned from its Madras unit played the welcome tunes. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and others were present on the dais.
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