CM Rekha cautions youth against Urban Naxals

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day warning on “dimaagi (intellectual) Naxal”, urging the youth to remain alert to what she described as the influence of “urban Naxals” and channel their energy towards nation-building.

Cautioning the youth against ‘dimaagi naxal’, the chief minister said it was the reason for India’s battle at two and a half fronts. The two fronts lay outside, while the half-front existed inside the country, she said. “Be cautious of one group known as Urban Naxalism because of whom India has to battle at two and a half fronts. This half-front (Urban Naxals) keeps on insulting the country and its armed forces,” she charged.

Her remarks came hours after PM Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, said Naxalism had been eliminated from the country but cautioned that “armed Naxals may have gone, but dimaagi (intellectual) Naxals are lurking around.”

Addressing the Delhi government’s Independence Day function at Chhatrasaal stadium, the chief minister also urged young people to look beyond social media and use their ideas, creativity and talent for innovation, research and public service.

“The youth of Delhi are not just job seekers; they also have the capability to provide jobs. They do not just use technology, they also create it. They not just watch the world but also know how to face it, she stated.

“I want to say to my young friends: Do not limit your strength to social media. Use your ideas for start-ups and your creativity for innovation. Turn your questions into research, use your sensitivity for service and channel your talent towards nation-building,” she said.

“The Youth of India are different - they are aware, ask questions, know technology, understand the world, and are sensitive to issues like mental health, climate change, gender equality and social justice,” she said.

The chief minister praised the youth as the “Amrit generation” of the country, saying they were aware, talented and did not hesitate to ask questions.  The chief minister said the national capital was leading the way towards “Viksit Bharat” and the Delhi model could become the benchmark for other states.

The chief minister also highlighted her government’s achievements in the last 18 months. “The development model created in Delhi can become a benchmark for other cities. Delhi will take the first step towards the threshold of a developed India, because it is active, attentive, and attractive,” she said. The chief minister cited various initiatives by her government to empower women, boost health and education sectors, fight pollution by making Delhi an EV city, clean the Yamuna River and remove “three garbage mountains”.

The chief minister hoisted the national flag at the event. A ceremonial parade was held by contingents from Delhi Police, Fire Services, NCC cadets and students of Delhi government schools.

The chief minister said the people of Delhi had given her government a mandate not merely to run the administration but to bring a new direction to governance, transparency and development. 

She said her government implemented the Ayushman Bharat health insurance programme, under which over nine lakh beneficiaries have been registered so far, while 3 lakh are registered under the ‘Vaya Vandana” pension scheme for the elderly.

Over 18 lakh women and transgender people were issued ‘Pink cards’ by the government to provide them free bus travel.

Also, under the Durga scheme, the Delhi government will provide e-auto permits to 1000 women and 100 transgenders, she said. On education, she said the government has introduced courses such as Neev and Rashtra Neeti and opened 75 new CM Shri schools. 

The chief minister also outlined cooperation between the Centre and the Delhi government to achieve the targets of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Delhi’. She said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has become the “official banker” of Delhi now and there will be no paucity of funds for development.

She also noted that the Centre has sanctioned a sum of Rs 2,600 crore, which will help the Delhi government undertake 61 new projects. Describing pollution as a big challenge before Delhi, she said that it will not be solved through a blame game.

The chief minister said that Delhi, while marching on the path of development, is also connected to its heritage and cultural roots.