Srinagar, August 12:(KNS) Apni Party Youth President and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu on Thursday greeted the youth of Jammu and Kashmir on the International Youth Day, being celebrated today.
In a statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS) , Mattu said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have proven their mettle even during hostile conditions. “Our youth have not brought laurels to J&K only but have carved out a niche for themselves in the most difficult circumstances during the last over three decades,” he added.
Mattu called on the J&K government to address the grievances of the youth and provide avenues and opportunities so as to enable them to tackle the rising rate of unemployment in the region.
“The unemployment rate is soaring with every passing day. The government must launch counseling programmes at district and block levels so that our qualified and skilled youth are able to earn a dignified livelihood,” he observed.
Mattu said the job opportunities need to be explored in the private sector for which the government should create an ambient atmosphere for attracting corporate investments.
He further emphasized on the administration particularly the agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors to promote innovations by involving youth not only from the field but from the Research Institutes like SKUAST in light of this year’s theme ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.’
Mattu said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have an earnest desire to contribute in the holistic development of their motherland and the government needs to channelize their energies in a productive manner.
He also urged the parents to guide their young ones to refrain from the social evils particularly the drug menace which is eating into vitals of the society. “It is a two process. While the government is duty bound to identify and nab the culprits who are behind the drug mafia, the parents also need to counsel their children to keep a distance from evil forces for their better future,” Mattu remarked.(KNS)