Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration is formulating policies that engage youth in the governance process and ensure participation in their on-ground implementation, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday.
Only the youth have the potential to light up the society and transform several vital matters related to social welfare,’ Sinha said at the closing ceremony of the Kashmir Mega Football Tournament at Sehpora in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
“The Union Territory government is formulating policies that engage the youth in the governance process and ensure their participation in on-ground implementation,” Sinha said.
He said the targeted schemes under ‘Mission Youth’ have been crafted to empower the youth. “It provides the youth opportunities to become ambassadors of innovation, peace, progress and sports,” he added.
Livelihood generation programmes, skill development, counselling, sports, recreation and financial assistance by the government have brought a new revolution in youth empowerment in the last two years, Sinha said.
The football tournament was organised by Voice for Peace and Justice, an NGO, in collaboration with J&K Sports Council under the Special Activity Programme of ‘My Youth My Pride’ (Phase-II), and witnessed participation of young talents of the region as well as football players from Nigeria, Brazil and South Africa, an official press release said.
“We are witnessing the unifying power of sports and personal transformation of youth who are emerging as creative leaders of the society,” the LG said.
Terming the youth as the real wealth of the country, he said, “We have a moral responsibility and moral obligation to make sure the young generation has the opportunity to blossom.”
Young men and women in villages and towns are vibrant partners of the government to achieve the ultimate goal of building a peaceful and prosperous UT, Sinha said.
“In the financial year 2021-22 alone, 1.76 lakh young boys and girls have become entrepreneurs and became job providers from job seekers. Last year, financial assistance of Rs 1,840 crore was provided under various programs and explicit directions have been issued that there shall be no limit for financial assistance to our youth who aspire to achieve their goals in life,” the LG said.
He observed that UT administration has started vocational training from higher secondary schools and has made arrangements for training from ITIs, polytechnics. A new building has also been built for Ganderbal’s ITI where training is being provided to the youth with state-of-the-art infrastructure in various industry sought trades, he added.
Recalling his interaction with a 130 member delegation of PRIs and civil society members from Ganderbal, the LG reiterated the government’s commitment to work for sustained development of the district.
In consultation with the PRI members and as per the aspirations and needs of the people, district capex budget of Rs 359 crore was passed for Ganderbal and work on 850 projects is going on, at a fast pace, the LG noted.
The LG also expressed his satisfaction over completion of 1,851 projects, more than the targeted 1,680 projects, in the last financial year in the district.
Congratulating president of Voice for Peace & Justice, Farooq Ganderbali, civil society groups, associated members and all the players participating in the tournament, the LG impressed that more organizations like Voice for Peace & Justice and enlightened citizens must come forward and support J&K Sports Council in its endeavor to shape the future of sportspersons and channelize young energies through sports activities to spread the message of peace and progress.
On the occasion, the LG also appealed to the people to join the efforts of UT government, Youth Clubs, Social Welfare Department, Sports Council, and District administrations in the fight against drug-menace and keep youth away from drugs and work together to achieve a drug-free Jammu Kashmir.
The LG interacted with the players and also handed over trophies and cash prizes to the winning and runners up teams on the occasion.
Farooq Ganderbali, in his welcome address, briefed about the objective behind organizing the tournament. He expressed gratitude to the UT administration and J&K Sports Council for their support to make the tournament a grand success.
Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Youth Services & Sports; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, besides prominent sports personalities, a large number of people and youth were present on the occasion.
