VC's call to harness youth potential

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, MARCH 31. Dr. V. T. Patil, Vice-Chancellor of the Pondicherry University, has called upon programme officers of the NSS (National Service Scheme) to channel and harness the potential of youth so that the `revolution of rising expectations` of youth could be achieved.

Distributing certificates on the concluding day of the two-day workshop for the NSS programme officers here today, Dr. Patil said that with China headed for superpower status stealing a march over India there was urgent need to promote personality features of youth and tap their talents. China promoted youth in various activities and hence had been ahead of India. We should also bear in mind the prowess of youth to march ahead.

If this was not done, he feared there would be room for `revolution of rising frustrations` among the younger generation.

Stating that the area of literacy promotion could be taken up by the NSS, the Vice-Chancellor said the programme officers had a crucial role to play who could motivate the youth properly and ensure that they came in the forefront of nation-building activities.

We are now in the process of soul-searching and organisations such as the NSS could contribute its mite to successfully realising of the ideal, he said. There was identity crisis in the country and in this context the NSS could play its role adequately he said.

Dr. Ratna Natarajan, a noted champion of the NSS programme in educational institutions who felicitated, said the youth of the present day should be developed for the future of the nation.Dr. R. Balasundaram, State liaison officer of the NSS who presided, traced the growth of the NSS since its encouragement at the hands of great stalwarts like the former President, the late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, and the first Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Dr. Prabakara Raya, NSS coordinator in the University of Pondicherry, welcomed those present. Mr. Panch Ramalingam, a lecturer from the university, Mr. M. Suganandham, a senior lawyer, Mr. Rajaraman, NSS programme officer, and Mr. Kalyanasundaram, NSS coordinator at the Plus Two level, were among those who spoke.

Seventy programme officers underwent the course at the workshop. Pondicherry has a total strength of 7000 volunteers in the NSS units.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : NISH to have two regional centres
Next     : Preparations on for Pondy Assembly polls