Debate in the U.S. Parliament on the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Bill

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U.S. Parliament
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Washington: The House of Representatives of the US Parliament will consider the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Bill on Thursday. The bill was drafted by Human Rights Activist and former MP John Lewis, who passed away this year. Bharatwanshi MP Dr. Ami Bera supported the bill.

The bill would establish the American-Indian Public Private Development Foundation and the principles of non-violent protests by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. But study and bilateral exchange programs will be promoted. The House Foreign Affairs Committee had approved the bill by voice vote. The rules of the bill will be discussed in the House of Representatives. It will require a two-thirds majority to pass.

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The Bill provides that the US-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation will be established in collaboration with the Government of India in collaboration with the USAID Administrator State Department, the US Agency for International Development. Through this, grants will be given to non-governmental organizations in India. The Bill also provides that the Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with the Government of India, will launch the ‘Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative’ program, which will provide an annual educational platform for researchers from the US and India.

The program aims to focus on the views of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. on social justice and humanity and civil rights. Following the passage of the bill, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the US Institute of Peace will be appointed for a professional development training initiative ‘Gandhi-King Global Academy’. The ‘Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative’ provides for a grant of US 10 1 million per annum till 2025.

“As the world’s oldest and largest democracy, the United States and India share the values ​​of great personalities like Gandhi, King and US Congressman Lewis,” Bera said. But their views are not being given priority in both the countries right now. ” “This bill will ensure their ideas and values ​​and remind them to follow in their footsteps,” he said.

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