Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said youth will play a decisive role in turning the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 into reality.
Extending his greetings on International Youth Day at a programme in Panchkula, Saini said youth are not merely defined by age, but represent an immense reservoir of energy, capability and potential.
Saini launches HIV-AIDS awareness campaign
On the occasion, Saini launched an HIV-AIDS awareness campaign that will continue across Haryana till October 12.
He said the fight against HIV should be based on accurate information, awareness, empathy and sensitivity rather than opposition or isolation. Distancing oneself from a person living with HIV, he said, reflects ignorance.
"We have to fight the disease, not the person suffering from it," the CM said, urging society to collectively break the three walls of silence, stigma and shame surrounding HIV.
Saini also called upon people to ensure that accurate information on HIV prevention and treatment reaches at least 10 others.
CM urges youth to stay healthy, away from drugs
Saini said ambitious goals could only be achieved when young people maintain good physical health.
“Young people aspiring for good health, quality education, equal opportunities and a secure future must first ensure that they remain physically healthy,” he said.
He also urged young people to stay away from drugs, saying "the hand that should hold a skill must not hold a drug-filled syringe, and the eyes that should reflect the brightness of life must not be clouded by the darkness of addiction”.
The CM said Haryana needs a generation that is healthy, skilled, disciplined and entrepreneurial, while remaining sensitive towards society. He urged every young person to light three lamps within themselves: the lamp of knowledge, the lamp of responsibility and the lamp of sensitivity.
Focus on skills, technology and jobs
Saini said India’s youth are advancing rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and stressed the need for Haryana to remain at the forefront of technological change.
"The world is undergoing a transformation driven by fields such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, drones, electronics, digital technology and renewable energy, and Haryana must remain at the forefront of this transformation," he said.
He said the government was working to ensure that youth in villages have access to modern technology and skills comparable to those available to their urban counterparts.
Industrial Training Institutes across Haryana are being upgraded at a cost of around Rs 3,000 crore, he said. Partnerships between industries and training institutions are also being established through MoUs to help young people acquire industry-relevant skills.
“Strong partnerships are also being established between industries and training institutions through MoUs so that young people acquire the skills that industries actually require,” he said.
Saini calls for more young job creators
The CM said skill development should go beyond providing certificates and focus on creating quality employment opportunities.
“Young people should not remain merely job seekers; they should aspire to become job creators. Along with looking for employment, they should also explore opportunities to generate employment for others,” he said.
Saini added that more than 2 lakh young people have received government jobs in Haryana through a transparent system over the last nearly 12 years.
CM highlights role of sports
Saini said economic development must go hand in hand with building healthy bodies and strong character, describing sports as an important means of achieving both.
He said Haryana has produced considerable sporting talent, with athletes from the state bringing recognition to India at international events.
The Chief Minister also praised Haryana athletes’ performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, describing it as a reflection of the hard work of the state’s youth, the passion of its athletes and the aspirations and achievements of its daughters.