Date: 2026-02-19Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju launches NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist band and AI Chatbots of Ministry during formal inauguration of Chintan Shivir today
**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Minority Affairs concluded a two-day National ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Rajgir, Bihar on February 19, 2026. Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju launched the NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist Band, and AI Chatbots. The event aimed to streamline Centre-State coordination and achieve successful implementation at the grassroots level, contributing to Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Chintan Shivir Purpose and Outcomes:**
* Deliberations aimed at streamlining Centre-State coordination and stakeholder participation.
* Goal: Successful implementation of minority welfare and socio-economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
* Event included Union & State Ministers, senior officials, and domain experts.
* Thematic group discussions focused on five themes.
* Discussions emphasized peer learning, collaborative problem-solving, and consensus-building.
* **Ministry's Achievements & Vision:**
* Ministry showcased its key achievements through schemes like PMJVK, PMVIKAS, NMDFC, UMEED Central Portal, Haj Modernization, and digital initiatives.
* Vision aligns with Prime Minister's goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
* **New Launches:**
* Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju launched the NIGRANI App under the PMJVK Scheme.
* Also launched Haj Wrist Band and AI Chatbots of Ministry of Minority Affairs.
* **Thematic Group Discussions:**
* Infrastructure Development (PMJVK).
* Socio-economic Empowerment (PMVIKAS + NMDFC).
* Waqf Management.
* Haj Management.
* Scholarship Schemes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Union and State Ministers, Senior Officials, and Domain Experts**
* **Impact:** Gained insights for improved policy and program implementation in minority affairs.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the insights gained from the Chintan Shivir discussions and incorporate them into policy and program improvements within the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
**Minority Communities**
* **Impact:** Potential for improved infrastructure, socio-economic empowerment, and access to welfare schemes.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the new initiatives, such as the NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist Band, and AI Chatbots, to leverage the benefits offered and provide feedback for further improvement.
**Ministry of Minority Affairs**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in achieving Viksit Bharat.
* **Action Required:** Implement the insights and recommendations from the Chintan Shivir to improve existing programs and policies, leveraging public-private-community partnerships for effective implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The primary governmental body responsible for the policy's initiatives and programs.
PMJVK: A scheme focused on bridging infrastructural gaps in minority areas across India.
Chintan Shivir: A national convention to deliberate on a policy-driven roadmap for minority welfare and socio-economic empowerment.
NIGRANI App: App launched under PMJVK scheme to help in bridging infrastructural gaps across India.
Viksit Bharat @2047: Prime Minister's goal the ministry aims to achieve.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary
Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju launches NIGRANI App,
Haj Wrist band and AI Chatbots of Ministry
during formal inauguration of Chintan Shivir
today
Shri Rijiju highlighted that Chintan Shivir deliberations will
help in streamlining Centre-State coordination, stakeholder's
participation and achieve successful implementation at
grassroots level
Posted On: 19 FEB 2026 4:06PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Minority Affairs concluded two-day National ‘Chintan Shivir’ at Nalanda University, Rajgir,
Bihar, bringing together Union & State Ministers, senior officials, and domain experts to deliberate on a
policy-driven roadmap for minority welfare and socio-economic empowerment.
Ministry showcased its key achievements through its key schemes like PMJVK, PMVIKAS, NMDFC,
UMEED Central Portal, Haj Modernization and digital initiatives and its vision to achieve Prime
Minister's goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju launched NIGRANI App under PMJVK Scheme
which contributes in bridging infrastructural gaps across India. He also launched Haj Wrist Band and AI
Chatbots of Ministry of Minority Affairs.Shri Rijiju commended the Ministry team for organizing Chintan Shivir in Nalanda University. He said
Nalanda is symbol of India's ancient civilization heritage and a prominent Centre of Excellence.
The Union Minister further highlighted that Chintan Shivir deliberations will help in streamlining Centre-
State coordination, stakeholders’ participation and achieve successful implementation at grassroots level.
Union MoS for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian while addressing the participants said PMJVK
Scheme is instrumental in achieving Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat. It helped in infrastructural
development of Minority Areas across the nation. PMVIKAS, NMDFC, UMEED Central Portal and Haj
Initiatives of Ministry are contributing in Minority Welfare and Development.
Shri Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, MoMA expressed gratitude to all the dignitaries for attending the
event and appreciated State Government and Nalanda Officials for making Chintan Shivir successful. He
also emphasized historic importance of Nalanda and its significance.
The goal of Chintan Shivir is to achieve Citizen Participation for Viksit Bharat through Sabka Sath, Sabka
Vikas, Sabka Vishvaas and Sabka Prayaas. He said, Prime Minister's goal of Reform Perform Transform
and Inform which can only be achieved by involving public-private-community partnership and Jan
Bhaagidari, which will also increase transparency and accountability.Shri Imkong Mar, MLA and Advisor for the Sericulture Department and Minority Affairs, Nagaland,
progress and future roadmap of Minority Welfare of India. Minority communities of Nagaland represent
cultural and tribal ethos. He appreciated PMJVK and PMVIKAS Schemes for bridging Infrastructural and
Skilling Gaps.
Shri Kento Jini, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Arunachal Pradesh appreciated the Ministry
scheme and their role in bridging infrastructural and community gaps. He also thanked Union Minister
Shri Kiren Rijiju and Dr CS Kumar Secretary for continued support.
Shri Samdup Lepcha, Minister of Social Welfare, Sikkim emphasized ground level impact of Minority
Ministry Schemes and said Chintan Shivir will have impact on promoting welfare and development of the
minorities.
Shri Sukla Charan Noatia, Minister of Cooperation, Tribal Welfare (TRP & PTG), Welfare of Minorities,
Tripura said Ministry is working very hard in achieving Prime Minister's visions of Viksit Bharat and
Atmanirbhar Bharat
Further, the event proceeded with Focused Group Discussions on Five Themes such as:
i. Infrastructure Development (PMJVK)
ii. Socio-economic Empowerment (PMVIKAS + NMDFC)
iii. Waqf Management
iv. Haj Management
v. Scholarship Schemes
The session was conducted in an interactive format, encouraging active participation from all
stakeholders. Participants engaged in facilitated, time-bound discussions across five thematic areas, using
guided questions and group exercises to elicit experiences, challenges, and solutions.
These sessions emphasized peer learning, collaborative problem- solving, and consensus-building which
inculcated in consolidated insights which will be incorporated in policy and programme improvements of
the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
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AK/MR
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