Mysore/Mysuru: A divisional-level training workshop and collection of opinions on Karnataka Youth Policy (Draft) – 2022, was held at the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) auditorium in city this morning. The programme, jointly organised by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, UNICEF and Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement was inaugurated by President of Mysuru Ramakrishna Ashram Swami Mukthidanandaji by watering a sapling.

Speaking on the occasion, Swami Mukthidanandaji said that to develop the present day youth, the draft policy should concentrate on personality development and explore the hidden energy of the youth without which the purpose of the policy will not be served. “The policy should also contain imparting yoga, meditation and spirituality as they impart will power, glory and purity. We have books on Swami Vivekananda and the Draft Committee can make use of them,” he added.

State Youth Policy (Draft) Committee President Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, who is also the Founder of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, said that the State Government had constituted the committee to prepare a Youth Policy (Draft) for the State.

“For the last six months, we are meeting various youth organisations and also seeking online opinions from the stakeholders and we are giving more importance to sports and youth empowerment in the policy. We also intend to create Rural Economic Clusters. The policy is aimed at youth in the age group of 15-20 years. Issues like Youth Budget, Advisory Committee, Youth Development Index and Social Credit System, Gram Panchayat-level fellowships and counselling have all been included in the Draft Policy. The Draft Policy will be finalised on June 10 at a meeting to be held in Kalaburagi and the final report will be handed over to the State Government before June 20,” he added.

The draft policy has mainly focused on education, training, employment and entrepreneurship, health and sports programmes for youth.  It says that the main intention is to develop youth who account for 30 percent of the total population in a comprehensive manner.

ZP CEO B.R. Poornima, ADC Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy, Addl. Regional Commissioner Shivaraj, State UNICEF President Murali Krishnan, State Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra M.N. Natraj, Karnataka Youth Policy (Draft) Committee member Santosh Kumar and others were present.