Vice President urges youth to strive for uplift of poor

Pune, Jan 12 (UNI) Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today urged the youth to strengthen the hands of the poor and remove disparities which would truly be the symbol of ''Yuva Shakti.'' The vice President was speaking after declaring open the five-day 12th edition of the National Youth Festival on the theme 'Youth, Progress and Prosperity' to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at the Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Sankool, Balewadi.

He said 26 crore people live below the poverty line (BPL) and the youth must work to involve this section and make them an integral part of the socio-economic fabric of the society.

The 21st century will belong to India, China and the US and therefore the youth must take advantage of the number of schemes launched by the overnment and work to ensure that they reach all the neglected and lesser privileged sections of the society, he added.

The mega event began with skydivers of the 'Akashganga' team of the Indian Air Force dropping in the stadium carrying the tricolour, followed by dances from different state teams during the parade.

Around 2500-3000 youth from all over the country are participating in various events including competitive and non-competitive sections. Youth convention, Suvichar and Exhibitions are among the other activities during the festival.

The vice-President gave away National Youth Awards for excellence in different fields of developmental activities and social service.

The awards comprise a medal, a scroll and Rs 20,000, while voluntary organisations received a trophy, a scroll and Rs 1,00,000.

Also present on the occasion were Madhukar Gupta, secretary Youth and Sports Department, GOI, city MP Suresh Kalmadi and Divisional Commissioner Prabhakar Karandikar.

The President will be present at the conclusion of the festival on January 16.

UNI