Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 4: Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana today exhorted youth to play their crucial role in combating growing tendencies of intolerance and hate, saying societal renaissance holds key to bind communities and regions together, especially in a diverse state like Jammu and Kashmir.
“Fringe elements can’t hold the society to ransom and tear apart our glorious and time-tested unity”, the Provincial President said while interacting with young students during a day-long interactive session organised by National Conference Students Union (NCSU) at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here.
Mr Rana said the nation and the state are passing through a most difficult phase and it is time for youth to ponder where we have actually gone wrong. “The environment of drift won’t take us anywhere, as it is suicidal for harmonious growth of the society and therefore we have to resist the forces which, instead of strengthening bonds, are perpetrating the situation, leading to trust deficit between variant segments of people”, he said and referred to attempts being made to generate animosity by promoting, patronising and encouraging the divisive elements.
Making a strong plea to youth to help steer out the State from prevailing morass, the Provincial President said National Conference Student Union could be a viable platform to disseminate the message of unity and tranquility. Apart from strengthening camaraderie among fellow citizens, he observed that the Union can play a safety-valve against negative politics and machinations of exploiting the student community for achieving political goals. “This objective can be realised by setting in motion a healthy discourse by holding debates, discussions and seminars”, he said while emphasising the need for keeping young minds away from power politics. He said the students have plethora of issues of their own, which need to be discussed and debated in a healthy atmosphere to find out solutions.
Provincial President said that asking students to remain disconnected with politics would be an overstatement. “History stands testimony to the fact how student politics has eventually led to mainstream politics”, he said while citing instances where student leaders made to Heads of Nations across the globe and to various important positions in the country and the State.
He said academic alone is not license for success in life. Though important yet other spheres too make all the difference in career advancement. He, however, asked the participants to use NCSU platform for intellectual, political and societal growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Youth National Conference President Ajaz Jan enumerated the initiatives taken by successive NC Governments for youth empowerment and avenues of employment for them.
District President Urban Dharamveer Singh Jamwal lauded the resilience of youth in maintaining tranquillity and amity despite provocations of the divisive forces.
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