New Delhi: A 250-member youth delegation from Jammu and Kashmir participating in the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme called on Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan at the Uprashtrapati Bhavan here on Thursday.
The ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, aims to strengthen national integration by giving youth from Jammu and Kashmir an opportunity to visit and understand different parts of the country.
Interacting with the delegation, the Vice President said he was pleased to meet such vibrant, talented and determined young minds from Jammu and Kashmir. Recalling his visit to Srinagar last month to attend the convocation ceremony at the University of Kashmir, he said he had witnessed significant progress in women’s development and empowerment in the Union Territory.
Referring to recent achievements of Jammu and Kashmir, he highlighted the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team’s first-ever victory in the Ranji Trophy. He said the growing leadership of women in education and the sporting achievements of young cricketers reflected the progressive direction in which the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are shaping the future.
Commending the Ministry of Home Affairs for launching the programme, Radhakrishnan said initiatives such as ‘Watan Ko Jano’ help young people connect with the idea of a shared national identity while building confidence, awareness and aspiration. He said the programme also strengthened the spirit of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as a land of extraordinary scenic beauty and rich culture, the Vice President said the region has the potential to emerge as a major global tourist destination. He said that with expanding opportunities in education, technology, tourism and entrepreneurship, every young person has the potential to become a builder of a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive future.
He urged the participants to believe in their abilities, remain connected to their roots and work collectively towards making Jammu and Kashmir a symbol of harmony, growth and inspiration for the nation.
The Vice President also expressed happiness that students from Jammu and Kashmir are performing well in Civil Services as well as entrance examinations for the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management.
Calling upon the youth to stay away from drugs, he urged them to encourage their peers to do the same, saying that a healthy youth is the foundation of a strong and progressive nation.
Conveying his best wishes to the delegation, Radhakrishnan asked the young participants to stand tall, believe in themselves and take pride in contributing towards building a Viksit and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He said a developed India can be achieved only when every state and Union Territory becomes developed.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh was also present during the interaction. Addressing the delegation, he recalled the developmental transformation witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the aspirations of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir had risen considerably, with many young people excelling in diverse fields.
