Says, Stone Pelting, Terrorism Replaced With Development By These Youth
Srinagar: Asserting that only youth can be the agents of change in any sphere of life, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah said on Sunday that the “events of stone pelting, terrorism, violence” have been replaced by the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, who are focused about development, employment, scholarship, skill development.
“Only youth can be the agents of change in any sphere of life and without their participation, transformation is not possible. The events of stone pelting, terrorism, violence have been replaced by the youth of the same Jammu & Kashmir, who are focused about development, employment, scholarship, skill development. People themselves can see how much change has happened,” the Home Minister said Sunday.
Shah made these remarks during interaction with members of youth clubs at Raj Bhawan here, an official spokesperson said.
“We have 70% youth population in Jammu & Kashmir and they are shaping the present and building the golden future of Union Territory as we speak,” he added.
The Home Minister, who arrived in Srinagar on Saturday on a three-day visit, said that with the establishment of 4,500 youth clubs in J&K, the government has included the young generation in the development process so they can actively participate in designing the path to transform the entire community.
According to the official spokesperson, the Home Minister stressed upon the need for engaging youth and making them equal partners in the design and development of stability and sustainability of a prosperous J&K, and said no force can stop this wind of change and a new era will begin in Jammu & Kashmir and for this such programs (youth clubs) are necessary.
“If hope is instilled in the minds of this 70% population, if they are encouraged, if they are associated with development works, if they are focused on their education, skill development, employment and if they are made ambassadors of peace and development of Jammu & Kashmir, then no one can ever disturb the peace of this region,” Shah said.
The Home Minister, as per the official spokesperson, highlighted that there are 4500 youth clubs registered all over J&K, out of which 4229 youth clubs are in rural areas, which are working to connect the youth in the respective areas with the activity of development, sports, education, employment and skill upgradation.
Applauding the concept of ‘Youth Club’, he said, the Home Minister pointed out that it is a multi-faceted program, which also generates livelihood, advances education, skill development, economic development, grants, counseling and guidance, besides adding various aspects of healthcare up gradation to it.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir had set a goal that a youth club to be formed in every Panchayat and urban ward. I am happy to note that this milestone was achieved in a short span of time. A program has been institutionalized to provide assistance of Rs 25,000 to every youth club. Buildings have also been provided, Sports Engagement Program has been started all over J&K,” the Home Minister said.
Shah, he said, further stated that the Government of India has decided to make multi-faceted use of these youth clubs for the development of the entire J&K in various areas, such as emergency management, health, communication, skills, capacity building and training.
“Every person’s life is full of possibilities, but it depends on the person how he utilizes the opportunities that knock on the door. So, it is for the youth to decide whether he wants to sit with a negative mindset or ready to exploit the available opportunities with an optimistic mind and come out on the top”, the Home Minister said
“India has immense potential for every youth and Prime Minister Modi has launched start-ups and many other programs to realize their dreams. Modi ji has started several platforms through which the youth from even the smallest and remotest village of Jammu & Kashmir can showcase their power on the global stage. You need guidance, information and opportunities to tap into all these possibilities and this youth club will provide all three of these things to you,” he added.
‘What Did 70-Year-Old Democracy Give To JK?’
In a scathing attack on regional mainstream parties, including National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, the Home Minister said that those, who are making noises, are perturbed by the strengthening of grass-root democracy in the Union Territory.
Shah, according to the official spokesperson, said that some people are also restless because democracy has been finally freed from the “clutches of three families and has gone to a poor house”. The Home Minister, he said, also dwelled upon grass-root democracy that has been entrusted with the task of rural development in J&K post abrogation of Article 370.
“What did 70-year-old democracy give to Jammu & Kashmir? Let me tell you, it gave 87 MLAs, six MPs and three families. But PM Modi has given 30 thousand elected representatives in such a short span of time. Elections were held in 4291 constituencies in the Panchayat elections, 285 Tehsil Panchayats in the Block Development Council and 280 seats in the Zila Parishad. About 98 percent of the people voted enthusiastically and now 30 thousand elected representatives exercising their rights and serving the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” the Home Minister said.
“With the introduction of a three-tier Panchayat system, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir has got the biggest opportunity of life. Youth of a village can dream to be Panch, Sarpanch, Zila Panchayat Member, MLA and Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and they can also get elected to the Parliament of the country. Earlier, this opportunity was limited to a few families but Narendra Modi ji has made a new beginning and youth should join in a large number to further strengthen the democracy,” he added.
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