The 3rd State Level Youth Convention 2019 cum Cultural Meet held at Raj Bhavan

DIPR
Imphal, Sept. 13

The 3rd (Third) State Level Youth Convention 2019 cum Cultural Meet organized by Service Bridge Agency was held today at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Imphal with a theme ‘Be the voice of New India’
Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Governor Dr Najma Heptulla said that Manipur is a beautiful State with different indigenous tribes living in peaceful co-existence, tolerant attitude and unique hospitality. Hence, it is significant and appropriate that this Youth Convention is organized with an objective of youth empowerment, to encourage the young people and giving them information, guidance or resources they need in order to take charge of their own lives and make healthier decisions.  She stated that this Convention will take concrete decisions for the socio-economic development for the State.
The Governor also reminded the gathering that at the turn of the century, morals among the youth started crumbling which affects personal life as well as society. The signs of development were seen everywhere in the pursuit of healthcare, infrastructure science, education, energy and agriculture. As people and society prospered and as materialism took centre-stage, the values and morals came under severe onslaught from consumerism and globalization.
She stated that India is considered the youngest nation with the world’s maximum number of youth, about 34% of the total population of the country. This 34% is enormous human resources and constitutes for the country’s future. If we can harness this powerhouse in the right direction, then the country can reach the lofty heights. Youth today is a major resource for not only development of financial prosperity but for social changes as well. However, despite holding such importance, their energy is still not being channelized in the right direction.
She appreciated the organizer of the 3rd State Level Youth Convention for doing a commendable job in uniting the youth of different parts of the State on a single platform. Such Convention should also be organized in different parts of the State, spreading the right message and infusing the right spirit, the spirit of love, peace, compassion, hard work and commitment in youth and their pivotal role in socio-economic development of the State. Youth empowerment can catalyze major social developments like poverty eradication, good education standard, good governance and crime reduction which will reduce the rate of poverty to a significant level. Similarly, empowered youth can understand the importance of education that leads to social improvement of the country by rejecting the status quo and pave the path for better governance  and also a skill to sustain a livelihood as well as preventing him  from doing crime.
She further mentioned about the ill effects of drug addiction among the youth and the impact of drug use in communities and the sheer desperation of parents to rescue their children from drug menace. Unfortunately, the State is substantially affected by drug trafficking and its concomitant issues.  Due to unemployment and poverty, Ganja and poppy are widely cultivated, she added.
Expressing grave concern over the scale of drug menace in the state, the Governor said she had taken an initiative for the State Government to co-host with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office for South Asia a 2-day Regional International Conference-cum-Meeting on the theme, ‘Comprehensive Approach to combating illicit trafficking of Afghan Opiates and Drug Situation in the North East’ at Raj Bhavan, Imphal on 30 September – 01 October, 2019. Representatives from 6 South Asian countries and 7 States of the NE will congregate to hold brain storming deliberations on issues relating to drug trafficking and drug abuse.  
She also encourages the youths to stand up against the scourge of drug abuse, which is detrimental to the prospects of young generation. She expressed her  confidence  that if  youth abstain from all these bad habits, they will be able to surely shoulder the important responsibility for socio-economic development of the State and the country as a whole.
As a part of the Convention, Technical sessions and discussions were held. Prof. Dr. R.K. Lenin Dept. of Psychiatry RIMS Hospital gave a speech on the topic” Internet Addiction & its impact in our Health”, Dr. Lucy Duidang Jt. Director (CST) Manipur State AIDS Control Society gave a speech on the topic “Know your status and get Treated”, Prof. MC Arun, Manipur University gave a speech on the topic “Drug Problems and Need of a State Drug Policy” and Dr.Ibomcha, SP, Thoubal Police gave a speech on the topic “Cyber Crime an uses of Mobile Phone”.
Minister Karam Shyam, attended the Convention as President. And numbers of student from different schools also attended the Convocation.