The
Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that skill development
is an important area in which NGOs and voluntary bodies must step up their
activities to meet the growing requirement of vocational training and enable
youth to find gainful employment or become entrepreneurs. He was addressing the
gathering after giving away the ‘Rashtra Sewa Awards’ constituted by the
Krishna Foundation, here today. The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Dr. P.J.
Kurien and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The
Vice President said that Krishna Foundation has chosen poet and writer, Shri P.
Parameswaran and Philanthropist and businessman, Shri Yusuff Ali for presenting
Rashtra Sewa Awards in recognition of their services to the nation. The
Foundation is also giving financial assistance to 20 school students belonging
to weaker sections, he added.
The
Vice President said that even 70 years after Independence, the country is
grappling with many social evils like poverty, Corruption, illiteracy,
terrorism, religious fundamentalism, atrocities on weaker sections and gender
discrimination. He further said that while the governments are doing their best
to overcome the challenges on various fronts, the efforts of NGOs and voluntary
organizations will go a long way in supplementing the measures taken by the
governments.
The
Vice President said that the NGOs all over the country that are working
dedicatedly in different sectors – be it eradicating poverty, illiteracy,
women’s empowerment, tackling the menace of child trafficking, drug and alcohol
addiction or imparting skills to youngsters. He further said that for a country
as large and as populous as India, more such dedicated organizations should
step into the arena of social service. “The best way to find yourself is to
lose yourself in the service of others”, said the Father of the Nation, Mahatma
Gandhi, he added.
The
Vice President said that organizations like the Krishna Foundation can make a
meaningful difference to the lives of the poor and downtrodden. About 65 per
cent Population below 35 years, the nation must fully take advantage of this
huge demographic dividend, he added.
Following
is the text of Vice President’s address:
“I
am happy to be amidst you for the presentation of Rashtra Sewa Awards,
instituted by Krishna Foundation.
Conferring
an award on an individual in recognition of the outstanding work rendered by
that person in a chosen field or for social service is not only meant to serve
as an inspiration for others but also to motivate the awardee to scale bigger
heights.
Indeed
I am happy that Krishna Foundation has chosen poet and writer, P. Parameswaran
and Philanthropist and businessman, Yusuff Ali for presenting Rashtra Sewa
Awards in recognition of their services to the nation. I am told that the
Foundation is also giving financial assistance to 20 school students belonging
to weaker sections.
Shri
P. Parameswaran is a scholar, great thinker and above all a renowned social
worker, who dedicated his life for society. He is a poet, writer and also a
good orator. He left politics to take up social service and also served as the
Director of the Deen Dayal Research Institute. He started Bharateeya Vichar
Kendram in Kerala, aimed at national reconstruction through study and research.
The Kendram regularly organizes debates and symposia on issues of larger
national and social importance. The Kendram also has become a central place for
intelligentsia to meet, exchange and nurture ideas.
Shri
Parameswaran is totally dedicated to the cause of the nation. He authored more
than 30 books and was given Kerala Sahitya Academy Award for one of his books.
Shri
Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi-based Lulu Group
International, is one of the well-known businessmen from India. He has
provided employment to thousands of Indians and others and was awarded Padma
Shri in 2008.
Friends,
even 70 years after Independence, the country is grappling with many social
evils like poverty, corruption, illiteracy, terrorism, religious
fundamentalism, atrocities on weaker sections and gender discrimination. While
the governments are doing their bit to overcome the challenges on various
fronts, the efforts of NGOs and voluntary organizations will go a long way in
supplementing the measures taken by the governments.
Social
service in the complete sense of the terms should be the motto of such
organizations. No doubt, there are numerous voluntary organizations/ NGOs all
over the country that are working dedicatedly in different sectors– be it
eradicating poverty, illiteracy, women’s empowerment, tackling the menace of
child trafficking, drug and alcohol addiction or imparting skills to
youngsters.
However,
for a country as large and as populous as India, more such dedicated
organizations should step into the arena of social service.
“The
best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”, said
the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In another observation, he had
stated: “To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a
thousand heads bowing in prayer”.
Organizations
like the Krishna Foundation can make a meaningful difference to the lives of
the poor and downtrodden. Today, our country’s greatest asset is its young
population. With about 65 per cent population below 35 years, the nation must
fully take advantage of this huge demographic dividend. Keeping this in view,
the government launched a massive mission for skill development.
This
is an important area in which NGOs and voluntary bodies must step up their
activities to meet the growing requirement of vocational training and enable
youth to find gainful employment or become entrepreneurs. Similarly, adult
literacy could be one of the focus areas. The talents and energies of the youth
need to be channelized in a proper and constructive manner for their own
well-being and of the society at large.
JAI
HIND !”
***
KSD/BK
