‘Youth real wealth of country’
Excelsior Correspondent
Ganderbal, Aug 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the final match and closing ceremony of Kashmir Mega Football Tournament at Sehpora, Ganderbal.
The tournament was organized by Voice for Peace & Justice (NGO) in collaboration with J&K Sports Council under ‘Special Activity Program of My Youth My Pride (Phase-II)’ and witnessed participation of young talents of the region as well as football players from foreign countries including Nigeria, Brazil and South Africa.
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Speaking on the occasion, Sinha said that UT Government is formulating policies that engages youth in governance process and ensures their participation in on the ground implementation. Only youth has the potential to light up the society and transform several vital matters related to social welfare, he added.
“We are witnessing unifying power of sports and personal transformation of youth, who are emerging as creative leaders of the society,” the Lt Governor further said.
Terming 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 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.”
The Lt Governor said that targeted schemes under Mission Youth have been crafted to empower the youth. It provides 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, he further added.
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 1840 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, Sinha said.
He observed that UT administration has started vocational training from higher secondary schools and have made arrangements for training from it is and 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 130 member delegation of PRIs and Civil Society members from Ganderbal, the Lt Governor reiterated 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 Lt Governor noted.
He also expressed his satisfaction over completion of 1851 projects, more than the targeted 1680 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 Lt Governor 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, he also appealed 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.
Sinha interacted with the players and also handed over trophies and cash prizes to the winning and runners up teams on the occasion.
Farooq Ganderbali, president, Voice for Peace & Justice, 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 to the Government, Youth Services & Sports; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, besides prominent sports personalities, large number of people and youth were present on the occasion.
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