Addressing the opening session of 3-day BRICS Youth Summit beginning at Guwahati from today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that in the last two years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BRICS has emerged as an influential forum and platform for the nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.The relationship among these nations has assumed wider dimensions and the Summit beginning today with the involvement of youth from these nations is a marker of the realization that youth have a vital role to play in the emerging scenario of 21st century,he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, while India has over 65% of population below the age of 35 years, the other BRICS nations have also a large youth population. This demographic dividend offers a great opportunity for these nations to move ahead at fast pace emerge as frontline States in economics, scientific technology and other fields, he added. Striking a futuristic note,Dr Jitendra Singh said,BRICS brings together five major economies comprising 43% of the world population having 37% of world GDP and 17% share in world trade. This, in other words, means that BRICS nations hold the key to the future of 21st century world and youth can play a decisive role in shaping this destiny.
Referring to a number of flagship programmes announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent past, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the present government in India accords high priority to facilitate youth participation at all levels of governance. As a follow up to this, he said, a National Youth Advisory Council is being set up to engage youth in the process of policy planning.A significant recent initiative in this direction has been the undertaking of “Neighborhood Youth Parliament” programme wherein the Youth Clubs are educated about contemporary socio-economic development issues confronting the community in general and youth in particular, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said,the very fact that Guwahati has been chosen as venue for this Summit underlines the high priority accorded by the Modi government to the development of the North-East region with the simultaneous development of the youth and at the same time engagement of the rest of the world community as well. In this context, he also referred to the “Young Diplomats’ Forum” and “Young Scientists Conclave” being planned for BRICS member States in near future. The Summit spread over three days will comprise of different sessions deliberating with different issues including skill development, youth participation in governance, social inclusion and youth voluntarism.