Hindus laud Bulgaria for Roma Integration Strategy

Nevada (US), Jan 9 (ANI): Hindus have applauded Bulgaria for adopting National Strategy for Integration of Roma in Bulgaria (2012-2020), saying that "it is a step in the right direction".

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, hoped that Bulgaria would "wholeheartedly" implement various action plans given in the Roma Integration Strategy amidst the rising anti-Roma sentiment in some quarters of Bulgaria. Development of entire Bulgarian society was not complete without the adequate socio-economic progress of its Roma (Gypsy) population, Zed argued.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that this program, as expected, should urgently work for providing equal opportunity and access to Roma like all Bulgarian citizens, which was reportedly drastically lacking at present. Racial discrimination should have no place in 21st century Bulgaria and Europe.

Rajan Zed stressed that Roma upliftment should be the first priority in Bulgaria and Europe as their maltreatment was a dark stain on the face of the continent. It was simply immoral to continue staying apathetic and silent spectator ignoring Roma plight, who reportedly regularly faced social exclusion, racism, substandard education, hostility, joblessness, rampant illness, inadequate housing, lower life expectancy, unrest, living on desperate margins, stereotypes, mistrust, rights violations, discrimination, marginalization, appalling living conditions, prejudice, human rights abuse, etc.

Bulgaria is known for its long sandy Black Sea Coast, multicolored monasteries, footballer Hristo Stoichkov, poet Peyo Yavorov, etc. Georgi Parvanov, Rosen Plevneliev and Boiko Borisov are President, President-elect and Prime Minister respectively of Bulgaria; which boasts of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (ANI)