Samba, February 20: Additional General Secretary National Conference and Former Minister, Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today underscored the crucial role of the students and youth in nation-building, fostering unity, and combating divisive forces that threaten the idea of India. Addressing a day-long convention organized by the National Conference Students Union (NCSU) Working President Arun Pal Singh and Secretary Saqib Kichloo and Advocate Massarat Ahmed Malik, Jai Dev and Jatinder Pal Singh, at Samba, Mr. Sadhotra exhorted young people to stand against hatred and intolerance, which go against the very fabric of India’s democratic and secular ethos. Mr Sadhotra said that unity in diversity is India’s greatest strength, and the students and youth must work toward societal upliftment by promoting a sense of camaraderie among people. In this context, he referred to glorious pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir that has historically been a beacon of composite culture, where people from different backgrounds have coexisted peacefully for centuries. “This unique legacy has withstood the test of time, and it is the responsibility of the students and youth to preserve and strengthen it,” he added.
The Additional General Secretary said that realization is fast dawning upon progressive, forward-looking and peace-loving people to isolate divisive forces and work for strengthening the bonds of amity and brotherhood. “The people are disgusted and dejected with those believing in politics of hate and understand that reactionary political pursuits can only lead to chaos and crisis”, Mr Sadhotra said. A Committee of Samba NCSU Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Degree College was nominated by Arun Pal Singh Working President of the NCSU, Tarun Singh Choudhary President, Sania Salathia Working President, Sandeep Atri Working President, Sandeep Kour Spokesperson, Muskan Sambyal Vice President, Pranav Sharma Vice President, Vansh Khajuria General Secretary, Rahil Choudhary Secretary. Mr Sadhotra and other leaders congratulated the newly constituted NCSU committee of Samba and hoped that they will play a vital role among students and youth to strengthen secularism and negate the hate spread over by the divisive forces and strengthen National Conference and our leaders Jenab Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
Mr. Sadhotra further urged young students to aim high and strive for academic excellence, asserting that education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of any nation. He said that it is incumbent to create a conducive academic environment in educational institutions to ensure the holistic growth of students. The government led by Jenab Omar Abdullah is committed to ensure all the logistics in educational institutions so that the students grow in healthy environments, he added. Expressing concern over the rising unemployment among educated youth that has accumulated during the past one decade, Mr. Sadhotra called for a comprehensive strategy to tackle this pressing issue. He said that the frustration among unemployed youth, particularly those on the verge of crossing the age limit for government jobs, needs urgent attention. “A well-planned approach is necessary to provide employment opportunities and prevent disillusionment and anger among the younger generation,” he said. The convention witnessed enthusiastic participation of students, who reaffirmed their commitment to working towards unity, social harmony and academic excellence as envisioned by the National Conference. The young leaders of the NCSU, while speaking on the occasion emphasized the need of providing basic facilities in the Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Degree College Samba and said that National Conference is committed to maintaining and preserving the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among those present included Mohd Ayub Malik, Pardeep Kumar Bali (Provincial Secretaries), Surjit Singh Manhas Joint Secretary Jammu Province, Chander Udhay Singh Zonal Vice President (Central Zone), Raghubir Singh Manhas, Choudhary Naresh Bittu District Presidents, Aisha Gupta and Priyanka Sharma.