J&K CM flags off J&K Youth Exchange Programme

Jammu, December 13 (Scoop News) –   Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday flagged off a contingent of over 400 youth of Jammu and Kashmir from here for a tour to various states of the country under J&K Youth Exchange Programme – 2010 organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS).

            Present on the occasion were Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports, R. S. Chib, Director NYKS, New Delhi, C. S. Pran, J&K Secretary Youth Welfare and Sports, B. A. Runiyal and Zonal Director, J&K, NYKS, Mohammad Atif among others.

            Speaking at a function organized at Genera Zorawar Singh Auditorium here on the occasion, the Chief Minister described youth participating in the exchange programme as ambassadors of the State and expressed confidence that they would depict the rich cultural ethos, communal amity and brotherhood before the people in various States they are visiting.

            “There are lots of misgivings about Jammu and Kashmir in the minds of people outside the State and same is the case here”, he said adding that such exchanges would remove these reservations and bring people closer to each other”, he said.

            “I am hopeful that you would not only talk about every aspect of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural, history, development and harmony but try to know every detail about the ethos of different areas you visit during the exchange programme”, he told the members of the contingent and termed each one an ambassador of the State. He said “you represent Jammu and Kashmir and every bit of your action and performance will draw the picture of your State in the minds of people outside the State”.

            The Chief Minister said that usually people built image of a particular area and its people on print and electronic media reports which he said, in the true sense, does not portray the real picture and characteristics of that area. “It is the people to people contacts, interactions and youth exchange programmes which give practical definition to the real traits of people and depict the cultural and historical details of that particular area in its right perspective”, he said.

            Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction that the itinerary of the youth exchange programme largely includes the tour of villages of India. He said this would enrich the knowledge of youth of Jammu and Kashmir about the real India. “Our villages truly represent our heritage and illustrate our civilization”, Omar said and asked the members of the contingent to take interest in every detail and narrate everything about your rich traditions.

            The Chief Minister praised NYKS for organize such programmes and giving opportunity to youth of the State to visit various parts of the country and get apprised of the factual details of people and the areas they live.

            Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, R. S. Chib lauded the Chief Minister’s interest in the development and nurturing of youth of the State. He said the J&K Youth Exchange Programme – 2010 would enable the boys and girls of the State to share their views with their counterparts in other states and enrich their knowledge about different cultures and traits.

            Chib said that such programmes also inculcate the spirit of communal harmony and national integration in the youth. He congratulated NYKS for organizing such programmes for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the activities of NYKS and its affiliation with other organizations in the State was rapidly enhancing.

            The Director, NYKS, New Delhi, C. S. Pran said that the present exchange programme is fifth of its kind from the State and the 400 strong contingent of boys and girls from Jammu and Kashmir are touring Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Orisa, Andhra Pradesh and other areas. During the tour they would interact with youth, NGOs and people of different shades besides experiencing rural life in these areas.

            Pran said that presently 501 districts of the country are affiliated with NYKS and another 130 districts are being linked shortly. “We have 3 lakh Yuva Clubs associated with the Sangathan in the country”, added.

            The J&K Zonal Director NYKS, Mohammad Atif in his welcome address gave resume of the activities of the NYKS and said that more and more youth clubs are becoming members of the Sangathan in Jammu and Kashmir.

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