NEW DELHI, Jan 19:
President Pranab Mukherjee today stressed the need to inculcate in youths the spirit of democratic behaviour which calls for an appreciation of the rich diversity of our nation and accommodation of divergent or contrarian views.
Delivering through video conferencing a new year message on the topic Youth and Nation-Building to students and faculty of institutes of higher learning and civil service academies, the President said,”We must provide value-based education to our youth.
We must inculcate in them the spirit of democratic behaviour which calls for an appreciation of the rich diversity of our nation, assimilation of ideas, and accommodation for divergent or contrarian views.” Saying that ”the idea of secularism is deeply ingrained in the consciousness of our nation”, the President emphasised the need for further strengthening it in the minds of the young ones to build a harmonious society.
The President said gender equality was essential for building an inclusive society.
”Unless women participate on equal terms and in equal numbers in the process of nation-building, all efforts will remain incomplete.
The occurrence of some unfortunate incidents of atrocity and violence against women in recent years should strengthen our resolve to wipe out any trace of depravity and evil from the minds of individuals.
”Respect for women is sacrosanct in our society with its roots embedded in our civilisational values, which are reflected in our Constitution.
A spirit of reverence towards women must be instilled in our children in our homes and educational institutions. It must guide social conduct of an individual from an early age,” the President said.
Noting that the government has launched programmes for financial inclusion, creation of model villages and formation of a digitally-empowered society, the President said that the need of the hour was to create enough opportunities through their implementation to meet the ambitions of an aspirational India.
”The nation which you (youth) have to build as bureaucrats, technocrats, scientists, educators, social innovators, thinkers, and agriculturists has to be an India which will ensure a decent and fulfilling life to all its citizens.
”It has to be a Swachh India, Swasth India, a digitally-empowered India, educated and skilled India, and a tolerant, harmonious and peaceful India where the last person feels a part of the narrative of the country,” the President said. (UNI)
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