The “most important” stakeholder in the peace process is the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Sunday, and asserted that it is essential to engage them “regularly and effectively” to “give impetus” to peace and development in the state. The Governor made these remarks while speaking with the youth during an interaction session ‘Kashmir Youth Dialogue’, organised by the Jammu Kashmir Youth Alliance, at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Center here.
The Governor said it is very important that the youth are given “right direction” to channelise their creative, intellectual and innovative energies and talents in a productive manner.
Conveying the “commitment” of Prime Minister NarendraModi to “ensure free and fair elections” in the state, Malik said the students are “torchbearers for emerging societies and urged them to “participate in the democratic process as leaders to shape the new future for the state.”
The Governor assured full support of the state and central administration for the overall development of state’s youth.
An official spokesman said that Malik also participated in one-on-one interaction with youth during the session in which youth put forth their grievances and concerns on varied subjects. These, the spokesman said, included “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 educational 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 youth that “designated recreational spaces will be created and made available in localities across the State for them to congregate productively,” the spokesman said.
“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 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,” the spokesman said.
Malik said he has already directed the universities to organise free coaching and counseling for students for various competitive examinations.
He 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.
He also reiterated his commitment to bring the office of the Governor and the common public closer.
Advisor to the Governor K Vijay Kumar, principal secretary to the Governor, UmangNarula, deputy commissioner Srinagar Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, patron JKYA Khalid Jehangir, members of JKYA besides a number of youth participated in the interactive session, the spokesman said.