New National Youth Policy Will Be Presented Soon: Kiren Rijiju

Pune, 19 April 2021: Mental Health is an extremely important subject and it has become a global phenomenon. When a country progresses to the next level of development then the mental issues of the people in the country become stronger. When we offer higher studies, when living becomes high tech then such types of problems start emerging. In countries like Japan or in the western world mental health issues are at a higher side than that of African Countries and other underdeveloped nations said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Govt. of India.

He was invited to deliver a keynote address for a 2-day International (virtual) conference on  ‘Raising Resilient Youth: from University to Community ’ on 16th and 17th April 2021 organized by Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Wellbeing, SIU in collaboration with Mpower.

Speaking at the conference Rijiju said, India is a developing nation. The competition here is stiff hence we have also started facing mental health problems within the students of our country. Even if we have a 100% literacy rate in our country we still cannot be a developed nation. How better you know the subject or how talented you are is not enough but the productivity and output of the people make the country rich. Academic excellence plus leading life in the right perspective is needed. Symbiosis has a great culture of giving real-life knowledge to the students Shri. Rijiju added further. 

During his speech, the Minister spoke about “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. He mentioned that the role of our country’s youth is more crucial in Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Hence, utilization of the youth in the proper direction will help in building the nation and the Universities like Symbiosis has understood this very well. They are shaping our student’s future.

No other country in the world has a number of youth organizations like India but the entire youth must be channelized and put on one platform, better to put them under one umbrella then the power of youth will be more result-oriented.

The Minister further said that “We are drafting a “New National Youth Policy” which will be an extension of National Education Policy- NEP 2020 where more emphasis will be on Fitness and Sport. We want to become a better Sporting Nation”. “Khelo India” which is the initiative of Government of India where the University level games are of world class. The Government of India also launched a “Fit India Movement” where we expect the Universities of India to take a leadership role.

At the end of his speech Rijiju gave valuable advice to all the people, he said, “When a person becomes physically and mentally fit then only he can become successful in all the aspects of life. Not only a sports person but every Indian should be fit.” As per the recent records under the “Fit India Movement” the fitness level of India has gone up tremendously. Parliament members, corporate leaders are keeping themselves fit, Rijiju added further.

Dr SB Mujumdar Chancellor of Symbiosis International University in his speech said Symbiosis is a Health Promoting University. At Symbiosis we look after the Physical and Mental Health of the Students.

Talking further in his speech Dr Mujumdar mentioned that Isolation has now become a major disease in the world. We are connected through technology yet we are isolated. Youth are the engines of growth and development of the country. We are the youngest country in the world. We have the capacity to grow provided our youth is physically and mentally fit. Universities should pay attention to the mental health of the students.

Neerja Birla, Founder, Chairperson, Mpower and Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dean Faculty of Health Sciences, Symbiosis International University were the other distinguished speakers for the program.

Dr Vidya Yeravdekar Pro-Chancellor Symbiosis International University gave opening remarks. Dr Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International University gave Vote of Thanks and Dr Girija Mahale, Head, Symbiosis Centre for Emotional Well-being was the anchor of the program.