New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Describing youth as the potential "engine of growth", President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday called for improving their employability to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India campaign a success.
"India is projected to have the largest workforce in the world by 2025, with a surplus of 47 million workers against a shortage of 56.5 million skilled workers in the world," the president said at the 46th Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.
"This demographic dividend is a double-edged sword. If their huge potential is tapped, they could become a powerful engine for growth. On the other hand, if we fail to do so, it could create social tension," he said.
Mukherjee expressed hope the government will evolve an appropriate skill development framework, remove the demand-supply disconnect for skilled manpower, promote Public-Private Partnerships and expand youth entrepreneurship education, said an official communique.
He requested the executive heads of the states and the union territories to promote skill development among youth and play a "persuasive" role in the implementation of the Jan Dhan Yojna as well as the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Pointing out that over 60 percent of the rural population does not have access to sanitation facilities, the president said that "we must reverse this position by addressing problem areas like affordability and mindset through innovative solutions".
Mukherjee underscored the importance of "primary" responsibility of the governors and Lt. governors to "ensure that the affairs of the states and union territories are conducted strictly in accordance with the letter and spirit" of the constitution to safeguard the democratic and secular fabric of the country.
"Prevalence of peace and communal harmony must be ensured," he said.
"The Constitution of India is the guiding document that provides the framework for governance... Any deviation from the principles and provisions embodied in the Constitution would weaken the democratic fabric of the country and jeopardise the social, economic and political well-being of our citizens," he said in his opening address attended by 21 governors and two lt. governors.
Modi, union ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, along with other cabinet minsters were present.
Mukherjee called upon prioritizing infrastructural development in the northeast, adding that ethnic tension in the state must not be tolerated.
"Ethnic violence in Assam needs to be countered effectively, especially the sinister motives to drive a wedge between Bodo and non-Bodo sections. The genuine aspirations of the Bodo people in terms of development must be addressed expeditiously. Under no circumstances can the spread of ethnic hatred be tolerated," he said.
A policy of maintaining peaceful relations with all countries governed India's external affairs and "all disputes relating to our border areas or otherwise should be resolved through peaceful means", Mukherjee said.
Speaking on issues relating to fifth schedule of the Constitution, Mukherjee called upon governors and Lt. governors to closely monitor development programmes with special focus on quality of education and health.
He said the autonomous councils and autonomous district councils set, up under the sixth schedule of the Constitution, in Assam Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura enjoy legislative, executive, financial and judicial powers.
The two-day conference seeks to discuss internal and external security issues with a special focus on border security in states sharing international frontiers as well as financial inclusion, employment generation and employability that would make skill development programmes effective.
IND vs PAK: 'I donate my match fees to the army...' Suryakumar Yadav wins the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians
The cricket team of neighboring Pakistan, which had been groaning over the Indian Army's Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, was shocked by the Indian team's Operation Tilak at the
INDIA Meeting: BSP issue raised in opposition meeting, SP expressed objection on this, Kharge gave this answer
The issue of Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) also came up in the meeting of India Alliance held in Delhi on Tuesday. On the rumor of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav objecting to the meeting
Coronavirus: First death due to corona in Delhi; More than 2500 active cases across the country, seven people died.
There is an increase in corona cases across the country. According to the Ministry of Health, the number of active cases of corona in the country has crossed 2500. The Union Health Ministry has said
Pattern of central share under Food Security Act approved
New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The government on Wednesday approved the norms of expenditure and the pattern of central share on assistance to states and union territories (UTs) under the National Food
Hit & Run Law: Reconciliation between government-transporters; Drivers will return to work immediately, strike ends after assurance
Life was badly affected amid outrage against the new law on hit and run. Transporters went on a nationwide strike. Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the Union Home Secretary held a meeting
Waqf Row: 'Is Rahul Uncomfortable with poor Muslims Getting a Voice?', BJP hits back amid the uproar over the new Waqf law
The uproar over the new Waqf law is increasing across the country. The politics of allegations and counter-allegations is also at its peak. The reason is that whether it is the opposition or many
'Mistake for India not to join CERN'
Kolkata, Feb 6 (IANS) It would be a "mistake" for India not to join CERN, the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which expects the Pakistani government to issue a notification by next
Harmanpreet Kaur: 'At first glance, I knew this girl had potential...', says Captain Harmanpreet's childhood coach
The journey of Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the world-defeating Indian women's cricket team, began on the grounds of Guru Nanak College in Moga. She was playing cricket with some boys there when she
NDA INDIA Meeting: NDA-INDIA's constituent parties will hold separate meetings today; There will be a discussion on forming the government
All the constituent parties of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have assured the BJP that they will support the party in forming the government. JDU, LJP, TDP, JDS, and Shiv Sena will attend the
Jabra Elite 85t earbuds launched in India, will compete with Sony with 5.5 hours backup
Audio manufacturer Jabra has launched its new True Wireless earbuds Elite 85t in India. The new Jabra Elite 85t has included many advanced features as well as very premium quality. Jabra is a trusted
