NYK centre opens in Udupi

Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) Sangatan Director General Salim Ahmed said the skill development programmes supporting appraisal training and job oriented courses have been introduced in Nehru Yuva Kendra during the current year to train rural youth.

The Kendra concentrates on empowering rural youths there by strengthening their leadership qualities.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Udupi district Nehru Yuva Kendra and District Youth convention here at Poorna Prajna College Auditorium, Ahmed said as many as 123 centers have been launched in the newly introduced districts across the country.

Earlier, there were only 501 Nehru youth centers. He opined that the country can make progress through youth and also the concept of secular society is only possible by youth. India is a very young country with nearly 70 per cent of the population below 45 years of age, he added.

Stating that Nehru Yuva Kendra has a history of nearly 40 years, Ahmed said the sole purpose of instituting Nehru Yuva Kendra is to strengthen the rural youth folk. In the year 1987, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi secured the autonomous status to the Sangatan.

The programmes taken up under the Sangatan ranges from youth clubs at rural level to youth centers at district level. There is a need for developing leaders in rural areas, he said.

“The center organises mentor clubs and also national integration camps. As many as 200 national integration camps are organised each year. This programme is the blend of cultural and sports programmes.

Besides the center takes initiative to conduct conventions at district level, adventure programmes and also awareness programme for voters. The ministry for health and social justice will be part of these programmes,” he said.

Earlier inaugurating the Udupi District Nehru Yuva Kendra, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes said Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangatan is one of the important youth organisations in the country.

The Government of India has taken initiative to introduce Nehru youth centers in the newly constituted districts. It is an attempt to take youth programmes to the people.