Role of youth imperative for socio-economic change: DPM Singh

Lalitpur- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, has said that the youths have an imperative role to play in bringing socio-economic change in the country.

Addressing a programme marking the International Youth Day, 2024 in Lalitpur today, DPM Singh urged the youths to move ahead with a positive thinking. “The youths have a big role in every change. We struggled for establishing democratic norms and values, and worked for political change in the country when we were the youth. There is no such situation now as a democratic constitution has been promulgated from the Constituent Assembly,” he said and stressed on the need of working towards economic prosperity of all and to the nation’s benefit by implementing the political and civil rights achieved so far.

Stating that progress cannot be attained by passing on the buck and engaging only in the game of accusation and counter-accusations, DPM Singh called on all to be united and work towards socio-economic transformation.

“The youths are suffering from unemployment problem. There is the data of 1,700 to 2,500 youths leaving the country daily. Rather than say no change has taken place compared to the past, one should compare the situation then and at present. There is development in the education, health, employment, transportation, digital technology, among other sectors,” he said.

Noting that one should be able to differentiate between the truth and falsehood, he said whatever has been written based on negative notion should not be thought of as something true. The DPM added that the present situation in the country can be changed carrying out works with a positive and hopeful mentality, calling upon the youth to be engaged in positive change.

“The youths have a significant role to play in the socio-economic change as well and not only in political change. The youth should carry out works in a responsible manner to change the situation,” he exhorted the youths. Sating that many issues have been covered in the Declaration incorporating the 12-point demands issued by the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) on the occasion of the International Youth Day, 2024, DPM Singh pledged to make maximum efforts from his side to have the demands fulfilled.

Minister for Youth and Sports Teju Lal Chaudhary said that works would be carried out on the Vision 2025 after holding necessary dialogue with stakeholders and the Ministry has been preparing to issue the National Youth Policy within September 16 this year. He urged the youths to use the digital technology to fight against anomalies and aberrations.

The Minister underlined the youths’ participation in the teaching profession. Stating that interest-free loan of Rs 500 thousand is being issued to the youths through the Youth Council for a period of five years for starting business, he urged the youths to make the most out of this facility.

Stating that 60 percent of the Ministry’s budget is being allocated to the National Sports Council, he urged to promote education and sports simultaneously. He insisted on the need to secure the maximum benefits of the Council programs.

Raising concerns over a growing shortage of skilled working force within the country, Minister Chaudary said the mass spirit for pursuing a career in the teaching profession is lacking, cautioning the youth about this trend. Hari Prabha Khadgi, the Bagmati Province Minister for Social Development, said youths need to be worried about their future in this era of technology.

Job is not about high or low profile, it should be performed honestly and effectively, instead, she said, encouraging youths to seek careers within the home. She utilised the time to share about the formulation of the Province Youth Policy and Youth Scientific Promotion Guidelines created by Bagmati Province and stated that it will cover youths in 13 districts in the Province.

Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Top Bahadur Magar, said the Day itself envisages the building of a collective and broader forum to globally discuss issues concerning issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the initiation of the youths.

He said the youth force is expected to get consistently engaged in nation-building and achieving the SDGs including poverty alleviation through the utilization of available technology. NPC member Jay Bahadur Tondon echoed the need for proper utilisation of natural resources in the country and advancing towards socio-economic transformation. Vice-Chairperson of the National Youth Council, Surendra Basnet, said time demands all of us to restore hope, trust, and opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment within the country.

Social activist Raman Bhattarai and AYON President Bikash Rai urged youths to move ahead with a positive mindset. August 12 each year is observed as the International Youth Day. This year, it is being observed with the theme of “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”