Srinagar, June 26: Minister for youth Services and Sports R S Chib inaugurated the ‘National Integration and Peace Youth Camp’ here today.
 The 7-day camp jointly organized by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and National Youth Project, New Delhi in collaboration with Department of Youth Services and Sports in which 338 youth from 25 states across the country are participating.
 Welcoming the participants, Chib said National Integration Camps are held to promote the sense of unity in diversity among the youth of the nation by bringing them together irrespective of regions and religion. He said these camps play significant role in promoting integration and unity and help youth get acquainted with customs, traditions and languages of their counterparts.
 The Minister said such camps infuse the spirit of nationalism and unity among youth and prepare them to face challenges. He appreciated Dr. Subba Rao for introducing multi-lingual and multi-cultural identities of Indian nation as depicted in the presentation “Bharat ki Santan”.
 The Minister said the multi-ethnic identity of India’s unique civilization has flourished over centuries and is still alive unlike other civilizations. Hence, the youth should uphold the cultural ethos of Indian civilization, which he said, forms the binding factor in the unparallel India’s unity in diversity. Quoting an Urdu couplets of Dr. Sir Mohammad Iqbal ‘Yunaan, misr wa rome sab mit gaye jahan se, ab tak magr hai baki, naam wa nishaan hamara. Kuchh baat hai aisi ki hasti miti nahi hamari, sadiyon raha hai dushman dore zaman hamara’, he said it is due to the secular fabric, equality and democracy, India is being respected throughout the world.
 Chib said that the country has vast human resources and need is to utilize this resource for constructive purpose. He said that the participants would play a role of ambassadors in disseminating the message of love, brotherhood and amity of the state in their respective areas. He also invited the participants to visit the border post at Suchetgarh, once the camp concludes.
 Describing love, confidence and amity as peace weapon, Director, National Youth Project, New Delhi Dr. S N Subba Rao said that with their help peace and normalcy can be brought to the world. He also highlighted the aim and objectives of the camp and said that the through these camps, youth are involved in national service with discipline.
 President, Youth Hostels Association of India (J&K) M S Pandit described youth as the asset of the country, adding that they form the backbone and no country develops unless youth participate in its development process.
 State President, Gandhi Global Family, Padam Shree S P Verma in his speech said that Gandhi Global Family propagates the ideology of Gandhiji which is the only way to bring peace in the world. He informed that the delegates from all across the country will also participate in the camp to be held abroad in future.
 Among others, Director, Youth Services and Sports S. Jaipal Singh, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council Dalip Thussu, Managing Director, J&K Housing Board, Kiran Wattal, Joint Secretary, J&K State Sports Council Prof. Bashir Ahmad, Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports Madan Lal, Chairman, J&K Voluntarily Health Association A M Mir, Deputy Directors, Youth Services and Sports Mr. Ashok Kumar and Mrs. Nilofer Amin, eminent Gandhian G M Mir Lasjan, National Kabir Puraskar recipient Ghulam Ahmad Bhat and various prominent citizens of the society were present.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST