Roping in youth effectively essential to peace, development in J&K: Malik

‘Youth are the most important stakeholders in State’

SRINAGAR: Asserting that youth of Jammu and Kashmir are the most important stakeholders in the peace process in the State, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday called for ensuring their regular and effective engagement which he noted as ‘essential’ to give impetus to peace and development here.

The Governor, who personally took questions from a gathering of young boys and girls in Kashmir on an array of issues and concerns and addressed them individually, also promised a range of measures to resolves the issues--prominent among them relating to the education sector particularly in strife-torn Kashmir Valley.

“It is very important that the youth are given momentum in right direction to channelize their creative, intellectual and innovative energies and talents in a productive manner,” the Governor said, while speaking with the youth during an interactive session ‘Kashmir Youth Dialogue’ organized by Jammu Kashmir Youth Alliance at SKICC here.

Conveying the commitment to ensure free and fair elections in the state, Malik said that the students are torch bearers for emerging societies and urged the students to partake in the democratic process as leaders and as participants to shape the new future for the state.

He assured full support of the state and central administration for the overall development of the State’s youth.

The Governor also participated in one-on-one interaction with the youth during the session, in which youth put forth their grievances and concerns on a variety of subjects including state of education in J&K, especially Kashmir, where education is regularly hampered on account of bandhs and restrictions; delay in conduct of examinations and declaration of results by the Universities and other higher education institutions; lack of recreational options for youth; corruption and lack of accountability in the state; drug addiction; negative portrayal of valley by national media, etc.

Addressing these concerns individually, the Governor informed the gathering that designated recreational spaces will be created and made available in localities across the State for youth to congregate productively. Further, to provide youth with proper launch platforms, there have been talks to host IPL matches in Kashmir, besides holding matches where local players are provided opportunities to compete with players of national and international repute, the Governor said.

On the pertinent concerns with regard to the education sector, Governor Malik said that he will ensure that Universities and other higher educational institutions will prepare and adhere to an academic calendar, clear backlogs, besides, ensuring timely conduct of examination and declaration of results. He said that he has already directed the Universities to organize free coaching and counseling for students for various competitive examinations.

To ensure the welfare of students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in other parts of the country, the Governor said that liaison Officers will be designated for areas having higher number of students from the State who will act as a point of contact in these states for the students to get their concerns presented and addressed.

He further assured the students that innovative ways are being explored to ensure digital connectivity to students throughout the year so that access to education is not hampered. Governor also reiterated his commitment to bring the office of the Governor and the common public closer.