SME Times News Bureau | 20 Feb, 2020
Vice
President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday urged the youth to take a firm resolve
to shun negativism and join the forces of growth.
He
asked the youth to take the lead in fighting corruption, terrorism, extremism,
religious fundamentalism, casteism, and gender discrimination.
Addressing
the 10th edition of Chhatra Sansad in New Delhi, Naidu said that corruption was
eating into the vitals of our democracy and called upon youth to be at the
forefront in eliminating the scourge of corruption and other ills plaguing
society.
Naidu
also wanted the youth to take an active interest in politics and the affairs of
the country and participate in nation-building activities.
Observing
that India was the largest democracy, Shri Naidu said that politics was a
vehicle for serving the people, bringing about the desired social-economic
change, taking the country to new levels of development and strengthening the
foundations of democracy.
“This
is where young students -- educated and informed citizens -- should engage more
to have meaningful political participation,” he added.
Urging
Parliamentarians and others in public life to raise the standards of debate in
different forums, Naidu said that Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha and state legislatures
in the country should be shining examples in setting standards for people.
“Mantra
for a healthy democracy is -- discuss, debate and decide and not disrupt. Agree
to disagree and be tolerant of the mandate of the people,” he added.
Naidu
advised the youth to understand more about India’s history, heritage, culture
and sacrifices made by freedom fights and national leaders, apart from the
radical changes brought out by social reformers.
He
asked the youth to enrich their knowledge by studying the debates that took place
in the Constituent Assembly as also the speeches delivered by eminent MPs in
Parliament from time-to- time.
Touching
upon the importance of the Constitution, the Vice President said that everyone
should follow constitutional methods to achieve his or her goals and pointed
out that the fundamental rights and duties go hand-in-hand.
Describing
terrorism as the biggest threat to world peace and humanity, the Vice President
said that India always believed in peaceful co-existence with all nations and
lamented that one of the neighbours was aiding, abetting and funding terror. He
asserted that India would not tolerate any outside interference in its internal
affairs.
Expressing
concern over the rise in non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy dietary
habits and changing lifestyles, the Vice President asked the youth shun
sedentary lifestyle and adopt healthy food habits.
He
wanted youth to take lead in transforming programs such as the Beti Bachao
scheme, other initiatives like Swachh Bharat, Yoga, Fitness India, water
conservation and Per Drop More Crop into national movements.