Youth Services and Sports Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that youth are key agents for brining social change and they play major role in economic development and technological innovation. Therefore, their energy should be channelized in constructive activities and this will also help in keeping them away from social evils.He was presiding over the State level Youth Advisory Committee meeting held here today. He stressed the need to infuse the spirit of voluntarism, cooperation, self help and willingness in youth to take up social welfare oriented and community development activities at their own level.Govind Thakur said that steep rise in substance use amongst youth is a big challenge before the society and the state government is taking effective steps to prevent the youth from stepping in to drug use. The state government will soon launch a state level campaign against drug abuse in which youth will have to lay an important role.
He said that there are 5000 youth clubs of Nehru Yuva Kendra and 3000 youth clubs of the sports department in the state and they will be associated with forestry activities in the next year. A target will be fixed to plant around 40 lakh saplings for which every youth club will be given the responsibility of planting 500 saplings. He added that 17.54 lakh saplings were planted in the state in only three days during monsoon season, this year.Director of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sukhdev Singh said that the organisation is working for associating youth of the rural areas in social activities. The organisation also organise various activities round the year for engaging the youth in constructive activities and best youth club are also provided cash prizes at district, state and national level.Special Secretary, Disaster Management D.C Rana apprised that the Chief Minister has taken a decision to constitute youth task force in the state by associating 65,000 youth. They will be imparted proper training so that they can contribute during any natural disaster in saving human lives and protecting the properties. He said that 'No Horn' campaign will also be started in Shimla and Manali towns by involving the youth.Joint Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra Prabhat Kumar also spoke on the occasion and gave valuable suggestions for organising more youth oriented activities in the state.