Maintaining that the youth fraternity is the key to sustainable development of the society, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday informed that the skills of 11 lakh youths would be developed in five years in the State.
“Out of the total population, India homes 60 per cent youths below the age group of 25. Their potential is needed for social development. So, the Government has started initiatives to ensure skill development training to at least 11 lakh youths in five years in Odisha,” said Patnaik while addressing an impressive gathering of the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) here.
Calling upon youths and students to play a much bigger role in the making of Odisha, Patnaik said his Government has put in place a ‘progressive youth policy’ to facilitate their greater participation in the affairs of the State.
Stating that by 2020, the approximate average age in the country would be 29, followed by 37 in China and 48 in Japan, Patnaik called upon the youth mass to work on secular ideas and values so as to dedicate their quality time in society and nation building.
“It is your dedication and determination that has made the BJD the most successful regional party in the history of the State,” he said.
Patnaik launched an Android app on the occasion in a bid to woo the youths.More than 20,000 students attended the convention which was also telecast live on the party’s refurbished website www.bjdodisha.org.in in a first-of-its-kind effort in the State.
The high profile BCJD convention was a show of strength after it claimed to have won over 95 per cent of college elections held recently.
Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Sanjay Dasburma called upon the youth masses to raise their voice against opposition parties and the Union Government and urged them to strengthen the hand of Naveen Patnaik. “A conspiracy has already been hatched by the Centre to see Odisha as a poor State. The recent mines Ordinance is a bright example of this,” he added.Many senior party leaders also attended the event.