SRINAGAR, June 21:
Highlighting the need for youth to take active part in developing political and educational structure of Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Tariq Hameed Karra alleged that successive Governments in State did a poor job of responding to the needs of its young citizens. Addressing a ceremony at SKICC organised by Kashmir Youth Parliament, Mr Karra said, ‘We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.’
‘The focus on youth, in terms of their engagement in the political arena, is a relatively new priority in Jammu and Kashmir but extremely timely, particularly in light of the fact that the successive Governments in the State did a poor job of responding to the needs of its young citizens,’ he said.
Mr Karra said the concept of youth engagement is increasingly apparent in international and national agendas, marking a shift in thinking about young people as resources that benefits society as well as a key partner in development.
‘Civic engagement in particular is increasingly recognised as a powerful, positive tool for re-engaging disenfranchised youth in society and in education systems, allowing them to build their capacities, make a swift transition to productive work and public life, and contribute to the development of their communities,’ the MP from Srinagar said.
As we move forward with meaningful and penetrative democracy, we have found a growing disaffection with the political process among young people, he said, adding their participation in socio-economic development, state building and governance is completely missing in our State.
Expressing concern over the low turnover of youth in elections, he said if the future of our democracy is left to such apathy, it makes no sense to fight for the development of its present.
Expressing concern over lack of efforts by politicians to improve the lives and life prospects of our youth, the leader he said, ‘Caught in a myriad of daily survival issues and short-term political strategies, there has been a complete lack of concern, articulated in a systematic policy form, about what we can do to improve the lives and life prospects of our youth. As such, it is imperative that we systematically plan and assist the youth in becoming active citizens in a renewed democracy.’
Asserting that PDP is putting forth its Youth Development Policy that seeks to address issues affecting the State’s young people, Mr Karra said, ‘We have outlined strategies that will provide them with equal opportunities to maximize their potential. The State’s youth must be now at the forefront of the change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for the State’s development and peace.” (UNI)
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