Youth should Stand up Against Drug Abuse: Governor

Imphal, August 25, 2018 :  2^nd One Day State Level Youth Convention, 2018 was held today at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal. The Convention was organized by Service Bridge Agency, Imphal under the theme ‘Engaging Young People in Nation Building’ focusing mainly on youths highlighting their potentials in development of the country. The Youth Convention was graced by Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla and Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Y. Khemchand Chief Guest and President of the function.

Welcoming the gathering, Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla said that Manipur is a beautiful State with different indigenous tribes living in harmony.  The State is known for peaceful co-existence down the ages, tolerant attitude and a rich culture. She said that the Youth Convention is significant and appropriate in deliberating the contemporary issues pertaining to the youths. Lauding the works of Service Bridge Agency in uniting the youth of different parts of the State on a single platform, she said that such Convention should be organized at different parts of the State as well for spreading the right message and infusing the right spirit, the spirit of love, peace, compassion, hard work and commitment in the cause of youth. She expressed her belief that the Convention will take a concrete recommendation and decision for the welfare of the youths of the State.

She further added that our values and morals came under severe onslaught from consumerism and globalization as people and society prospered and materialism took centre stage with development in various sector- healthcare, infrastructure science, education, energy and agricultural pursuits. We are at present living in a time where India is considered the youngest nation with the world’s maximum number of people being in the age group of 25-30 years.  This is enormous human resource base and needs to be put on the right path to yield the best results while discarding the negative trends.

Showing her satisfaction on framing Manipur State Youth Policy from the year 2011 by the State Government with important objectives highlighting various activities of the youths, she said that the thrust areas of the Policy are Youth Empowerment, Inter-sectoral approach and Information & Research Network. Manipur State Youth Policy elaborately highlights privileges of the youth as well as their responsibilities.  More importantly, concern for key sectors of youth such as Education, Training and Employment Health, Environment, Sports and Recreation, Arts and Culture, Science and Technology, Civics and Citizenship is really commendable. The Governor stated she is fully confident that the State Government will ensure to implement the priority target groups of the Policy.

Talking about the effects of drugs among the youth, she said that drug addiction is worrisome bringing sheer desperation of parents to rescue their children from the scourge.  Peer influence and depression are the major causes and before one knows it, one gets addicted, loses control of self and ultimately pushes own future into darkness. Life becomes directionless, without any hope for the future. Once the young people become drug addicts, they fall easy prey to HIV/AIDS, she added.

She expressed her desire that youths need to collectively stand up against drug abuse, which is detrimental to the prospects of the young generation and strive to save fellow youths imprisoned by the vice of drug abuse and associated health hazards. She added that the convention is the right forum to deliberate and find a way forward to secure a healthy future for the youths. Showing confidence that if the youths abstain from all these bad habits, they will certainly be on target for becoming good citizens and be able to shoulder the important responsibility for socio-economic development of the State.

Showing concern over the growing report of crime against women, she said that it is something alien to the rich culture of our State. Women are more liberated in this State and are also bread earners and we should all stand up as one to eradicate this social evil. Further, Governor urged the youths to involve themselves wholeheartedly in saving the environment and planting more trees as the future of the world lies on such endeavour.

The Governor also urged the youths to seek out opportunities available to them in order to serve the community through co-curricular activities, college events and camps. She advised the youths to develop their own space, find ways to play their part and take the lead in shaping the community in a meaningful way.

President of the function, Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that there are two nature of human being – good and bad. We should always try to be the good one in order to be a successful person in life. Youths are the pillar of the nation. Humanity is something that one should always have. As the theme ‘Engaging Young People in Nation Building’ we should love our state, our motherland so that good things take place, he added.

As part of the Convention, a rally from Kangla Gate till Raj Bhavan was held ahead of the programme. A Painting Competition was also organised at the venue in which many school students took part in the event. Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla handed over Certificates and prizes to the participants of the painting competition. The Convention was attended by students and volunteers of Service Bridge Agency. (DIPR)