Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today called upon the youths of Jammu and Kashmir to spread the message of peace and goodwill and tell their colleagues in the Valley to shun path of violence, join mainstream and build their career for better prospectus and future.
He conveyed this message to the youths of Jammu and Kashmir, who called on him in New Delhi under the Youth Exchange Programme ‘Wattan Ko Jano’ 2017-18. “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been organizing this programme to give exposure to the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir about cultural and socio-economic development taking place in other parts of the country,” an official handout posted by the Press Information Bur-eau (PIB) said.
Rajnath told the youths in the presence of Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju that they should share the message that militancy and violence should end in the Valley and peace should prevail so that students and youth build their career and progress, like other parts of the country.
“Jammu and Kashmir has been facing problems due to militancy. You should take interest in education and share your experiences with friends. The message of peace, friendship and goodwill should go to the Kashmir valley,” Rajnath said, adding: “it was high time that peace is restored in the Valley and sufferings of people are brought to an end.
Rajnath told the students that even God doesn’t like those children, who resort to violence and other such means, a statement which was direct pointer that the youths of Kashmir should shun stone pelting and other violence means, which have been spoiling tourist seasons in the Kashmir Valley.
“When you return to the Valley after tour, you should tell the students that `God loves those, who love others’. This message should go to the youths so that they shun the path of violence, which has been adopted by some of them, and they return to the mainstream and tread path of peace.
Rajnath expressed happiness that these youth have visited various parts of the country and witnessed the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country. The children have visited Ajmer, Jaipur and Agra and will now visit the historical places in Delhi.
The Home Minister said that these youth are an inseparable part of the country. He also expressed happiness over the fact that one more group of 500 students will also visit various parts of country after this group.
“Unity in diversity is the unique value of the country and these children are also a reflection of it. We have to take it forward,” he told the youths from Jammu and Kashmir.
With this tour, the youth will be able to see the development of modern India, he said, adding that these youth will also see the role of unity in the process of development. Rajnath said that the children might have read about and seen these places in their text books, now they have the opportunity to see these places.
The Union Home Minister said that they have certain responsibilities towards nation when they grow up.
“The youth should take interest in education, respect elders and do something that will make their parents and country proud,” he said, adding that every citizen has equal opportunities of development irrespective of caste, language and religion.
India sets an example in world that needs to be followed, he further said. He urged the youth to share their experiences with their friends and relatives when they are back and they should spread the message of unity. The Home Minister wished the youth a prosperous future.
Speaking with the students, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh said two generations of Kashmir have suffered badly in the violence and now “we don’t want to get the third generation also affected”.
“Your future is linked to kind of conditions that prevail in the Kashmir valley. If there is peace, you will study, build career and progress. If there is violence, everything will be affected and it will not be possible for you to fulfill your dreams,” Dr Jitendra Singh told the students.
Dr Singh stressed that peace and normal conditions were good for the future of youth and they should spread this message in the Valley.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju also interacted with the children. He conveyed that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is facing problem due to militancy and urged the youth to take the message of peace and spread goodwill when they return to the State.
Senior officers of the MHA were also present on the occasion.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been organizing programme “Watan Ko Jano” to give exposure to the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir about the cultural and socio-economic development taking place in other parts of the country. Youth and children hit by militancy and from weaker sections of the society have been identified for the purpose. Around 200 youth from the State are on a visit to different places of the country as part of the programme from February 11-20.
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