Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga stressed upon the youth to make sports an essential part of the life adding that sports is a best medium to channelize energies of youth in a right perspective besides saving them from being caught in the web of social evils.The Minister was speaking during a prize distribution ceremony of Sports Mela organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police under its Civic Action Programme, here today.Vice Chairman of J&K State Advisory Board for Welfare & Development of OBCs, Rashpaul Verma was also present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Ganga said there is an immediate need to attract youth towards sports which keeps them away from drug menace besides encouraging them to follow right path in their lives.Enumerating the benefits of games and sports in our life, the Minister said that sports keep body and mind fit besides dedication, leadership and other positive traits among youth.Congratulating the youth for taking an active part in Sports Mela, Ganga said that government is making all round efforts to upgrade and develop sports infrastructure in the state so as to provide avenues to the youth to excel in sports sector.
Lauding the role of JKP in maintaining peace in the State, the Minister said that it always remained on forefront to safeguard the integrity of nation, ensuring security of the people besides eradicating crime from the society. Apart from its professional duties, the force has also contributed in the sports arena to inspire youth towards sports, the Minister added.Ganga hailed the efforts of JKP for organizing such activities and hoped that the organization would hold similar events in future too.On the occasion, the Minister gave away certificates and mementoes to the winners and participants who participated in the various disciplines.Senior Superintendant of Police Samba Anil Kumar Magotra, Superintendant of Police Samba, District Youth Services & Sports Officer besides officers of the various departments, students and staff members of different schools were also present on the occasion.Later the Minister attended the symposium on the topic ‘Gandhian Thought’ organized by Government Degree College Samba.
Speaking on the occasion, Ganga deliberated upon the relevance of Gandhian thought and lauded the efforts of the college in disseminating the teachings of the father of nation which would lead towards a progressive and productive development of the nation.Highlighting the theme of the seminar, the Minister exhorted upon the participants to carry forward Gandhian Gospels in letter and spirit.He appealed the students to quest big in life by following the footsteps of India’s greatest Peace Icon ‘Gandhi Ji’ adding that Gandhiji’s wisdom, truth, justice, non-violence, education, patience, compassion and simplicity inspires all of us to become better individuals.Students from various colleges of Jammu expressed their views on Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Swadeshi & Self –reliance.In her address, Director Colleges Dr. Renu Goswami encouraged the students to launch massive campaigns to promote the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan besides other schemes and programmes aimed at the welfare of state and nation.In her welcome address, Principal GDC Samba, Dr. Anita Sudan spoke about the relevance of Gandhian thoughts in the present era.