Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Calling upon youth to help build India’s future, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here today that the future of India depends on them and only when young children are given exposure by travelling to different parts of the country, they can realise that India is in no way behind any other country of the world.
He was interacting with a group of 252 students from Jammu & Kashmir in the age group of 15 to 24, who are on a visit to Delhi under the youth exchange programme “Wattan Ko Jano” supported by Union Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with J&K State Rehabilitation Council.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, also addressed the students. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary was present on the occasion.
Rajnath Singh called upon the students not to get misled by elements which tend to deviate them from the path of progress and growth. He said, India is progressing very fast and children should concentrate on their studies so that then can also benefit from the enormous new avenues available in the country today.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that J&K youth have great potential which is yet to be fully explored. He said, he was particularly gratified to see students from far-flung areas of Kishtwar, Ramban and Kupwara, being a part of the group and receiving a pan-India exposure which was not available to the children of earlier generation. He particularly thanked the Union Home Minister for this initiative and recalled that even when BJP was not in power, Rajnath Singh always had a special concern for the people of J&K and kept himself abreast with day to day developments in the State.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that a smaller group of children from J&K had been invited to Delhi during the Parliament Session and they also witnessed the proceedings of the Parliament. He regretted that this group could not be provided that privilege because the Parliament Session had adjourned but hoped that their next visit will take place at a time when the Parliament is in session.
A record number of 252 children who participated in the programme belonged to militant-hit families and weaker sections of society and the tour is designed to expose them to the development and vitality of culture in other states of the country. The group was flagged off from Jammu on 22nd December and is scheduled to travel to different destinations including Delhi and Agra.
Joint Secretary, Union Home Ministry, Rajit Punhani and Director, J&K State Rehabilitation Council, Rubina were also present on the occasion.
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