Kiran Bedi calls youth to unite

Shimoga, Feb 23 (UNI) Ramon Magasaysay Awardee Kiran Bedi today called upon the youth to unite and fight against social evils like corruption, dowry, female infanticide, among others, in order to build a strong nation.

Delivering Late Shri Kateel Appu Pai Memorial Endowment Lecture on 'Harnessing India's Youth Power' organised by Manasa Trust here, she alleged that the present politicians were exploiting the youth for their own interests. The youths were far away from national security and integration aspects, she added.

''Youth wings of all political parties, colleges and universities have failed in building the nation. Even Vice-Chancellors of Universities in the country had failed to create awareness among the youth on patriotism,'' she alleged, urging the youth to protest against the wealth amassed by the politicians in the name of social service.

Stating that there was an increase in social evils on education due to an increase in its market value, Dr Bedi said ''We have the right to demonstrate. We do not have the right to destroy. Why is there no youth police in the country? Youth should fight against social evils like dowry problem, corruption, injustice, among others, through non-violence preached by Mahatma Gandhi''.

She said study time was meant for exploration. Students should search for things that would help in building a strong nation and eradicate social evils from the country.

She said unless the youths were roped in mainstream with proper training, terrorism and Naxalism menace would remain in the country.

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