GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

No IPR (PR) 3/2009                                                    Dated Naharlagun Nov 11, 2009

Press Release No- 1186

            10-day Interstate Youth Exchange and Home Stay programme at RGU
                           Governor calls upon youth to open to new ideas

 

Itanagar, Nov. 11: ‘I will be very happy, if each one of you learn one dance step, a song and a recipe of indigenous food of the State and also teach one each of it to the family members who will be hosting you’, said Governor Gen J.J Singh, while gracing the inaugural function of the 10-day Interstate Youth Exchange and Home Stay programme here on Nov 10, reports PRO to Governor.

Be open to new ideas and new friends, he said and exhorted them to try to learn new subjects and new people. You will be happy to know and to have a first hand experience of the richness of age-old cultural assets of this region, he added.

Exhorting the youths, who have come from different parts of the country and northeast to learn about the basic nuances of Arunachalee Society, Gen Singh said, ‘Arunachal Pradesh is a mini India. It is not only rich in biodiversity but also rich in ethnic and cultural diversity. The diversity in culture and tradition of our State is reflected the cultural mosaic of these different tribes’.

Urging them to be force multiplier and change the mindset regarding about the people of the region, Gen Singh pointed it is due to the wrong notion about our tribal brethren among the people in metropolitan cities that some of our people face harassment and misunderstandings.

The youth, Governor said, have a role to play in addressing social issues, including eliminating evil social customs, contributing to India's economic development, participating in its political life, protecting the environment, preserving India's good age old traditions and living up to the high standards of India's ideals and values. For meeting the future with confidence and fulfilling the dream of modern India, the youth would have to inculcate in themselves a sense of discipline, a spirit of tolerance, a quest for knowledge, a positive mind and respect for fellow human beings. And there is no shortcut to hard work and success, he added.

Gen Singh called upon the participants to build a society that all would always be proud of and rise to the expectation of elders and countrymen. With the strength of our rich cultural heritage, ethical and spiritual values embedded in our traditions and unconquerable spirit and creativity let us build a new, strong, prosperous, disciplined and efficient India, he appealed.

 Governor, while appreciating the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu and the State NSS Cell of the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh for conducting this programme said, the Interstate Youth Exchange and Home Stay programme will go a long way in inspiring the energetic and spirited youths in nation building and in spreading the message of unity and oneness among all Indians.

Swami Viswatmananda, Secretary Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Itanagar in his address said biggest problem today is the emotional integration. To instill the oneness amongst the people, the people of the northeast region should go outside the region, serve there and show your mettle. As I am well acquainted with the people here for last three decades, they have the ability and capability. And this kind of exchange programme will help in the process, Swami pointed. Secretary RM Hospital, who attended as guest of honor added, money spend in these kind of programme will give back its dividend as every paisa is used for ground work towards nation integration.

State Education Commissioner Hage Khoda in his presidential address said, the State is proud to host the event, which is of national importance and expressed his hope that it will help in erasing the alienation feelings amongst the people of the region. Along with the objective of the programme, Khoda urged upon the participants to have brainstorming sessions on global warming, deforestation, drug abuse and HIV AIDS.

In his introductory remarks, Dr. Radhakrishnan Nair, Faculty Head, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu gave the brief background of the RGNIYD and its objectives. He informed that in the last three years in order to promote peace, social harmony and national unity and enable youths to know each other, 600 volunteers of NE region were facilitate to tour the other parts of the country through the Youth Exchange and Home Stay programme every year. This year, he added, we got 100 volunteers from other states to visit the NE region. As a national agency for youth development, RGNIYD is covering every district of entire North East region under its programme.

In his welcome address, Director Technical and Higher Education Dr. Joram Begi, termed the event a historical and said it will have far reaching effect in the youth towards national unity.

Dr. V.N. Sharma, State Liaision Officer, National Service Scheme (NSS) also spoke on the occasion.

The inaugural function which started with invocation by NSS volunteers followed by lighting of inaugural lamp by the dignitaries was attended by State first lady Anupama Singh, Joint Director, Higher and Technical Education Dr. T. Padu, NSS in-charge Regional Centre Guwahati Deepak Kumar and DN College Principal Tomar Ete amongst other. NSS volunteers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh along with their programme officers are taking part.

The ten-day programmes include orientation class and local field visit in and around capital city, home stay at Sagalee, Ziro and Aalo, the report added.

Sd/- Purabi Taikam, PRO