‘Youth policy to empower, motivate youths of State’

BHUBANESWAR: “Try to ascertain the expectations of youth through different feed-back channels and reflect those in the State Youth Policy,” advised Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik while reviewing the progress in formulation of the policy at the Secretariat conference hall on Thursday.

Discussion in the meeting revealed that the policy envisages the youths of the State to be supported, motivated and engaged to realise their full potential with optimism, energy and creativity. The mission is to enable, engage and empower the youth with facilitating environment to be an active partner in the developmental process.

Meanwhile, the institutional arrangements like steering committee, drafting committee, reference group experts and project support units have been constituted. An estimate shows Odisha has around 16 million youths in the age group of 15-35 who constitute near about 40 per cent of the population.

The youths could give feedbacks and inputs through various channels. The main channels of feedback collection include direct consultations with youth, virtual media, face-book, email, solution exchange, discussions forums, inland and post card for youths in remote areas. Websites have been launched in the address www.dsyodisha.gov.in, www.dsyodisha.in and they could email at odishayouthpolicy@gmail.com.

The meeting also deliberated about thrust areas of the proposed policy. The major thrust areas pointed out included education and life skills, skill development, training and employment, health and well being, sports and physical education, active citizenship and community engagement, environment and safety, heritage, culture and diversity, Gender justice and equality, technology and globalisation.