J&K youth have immense unexplored potential : Minister

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh said here on February 4, 2018, that youth of Jammu & Kashmir have immense unexplored talent and potential, which sometimes remains unutilized either because of lack of opportunity or lack of mentorship and grooming. The same youngsters, he said, when given a chance of a wider exposure excel in various fields.

Speaking at a get-together hosted by him for a group of nearly 30 young school children comprising the J&K contingent participating in “Khelo India School Games”,  Jitendra Singh recalled when he was briefly holding the additional charge of Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2016, a mega Nehru Yuva Kendra festival was organised at Bhaderwah which offered a unique exposure to the local youth. During the same period, he recalled, one Sports stadium was sanctioned for each of the 22 districts of Jammu & Kashmir.

Singh said that in changing context and current milieu, the youngsters also deserve to be provided opportunity to train and reorient themselves to the new requirements. Citing an instance, he said, the Kandi belt in Kathua district, for example, has produced great warriors in the past, but now, the talent of young boys in this region needs to be explored, according to a PIB release.

Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is one of the best times happening for peripheral States like Jammu & Kashmir and North East, because the Union Government accords highest priority to these States and is very liberal in offering every kind of support, financial or otherwise. He expressed the hope that the selection process of youth particularly for sports should be based purely on merit without any extraneous considerations whatsoever.

In the Northeast, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the DoNER Ministry had introduced Venture Capital Fund for young Start-Ups wishing to set up their entrepreneurship. Similar provisions, he suggested, could also be introduced in Jammu & Kashmir. Similarly, for generating jobs for youth, he said, special impetus have been given to organic farming in Northeast with the State of Sikkim in forefront while Saree, textile and handicraft of Manipur were being promoted through “Self Help Groups” of youth and women. A similar impetus could also be exercised in Jammu & Kashmir. He also referred to the two-day Global Investors’ Summit held in Guwahati, as a result of which, leading business houses had, on the spot, announced huge investments with consequent job generation for North Eastern region.