Empowerment of youth a challenge for nation: Sarbananda Sonowal

KOHIMA: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal today said the challenge before the nation is to empower and develop youth into a productive work force.

"Youth in the age group of 15-29 years constitute 27.5 per cent of the population which represents the most dynamic segment of the population and are the future of the nation," Sonowal said at the 31st triennial conference-cum-sports meet of Langpangkong students at Tuli in Nagaland's Mokokchung district.

Therefore, the challenge before the nation is to develop and empower its huge youth population as a productive work force, he said on the second day of the programme.

Sonowal also urged the people to avail the opportunity presented by the new scheme, National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP).

It includes Neighbourhood Youth Parliament (NYP), Youth for Development Programme (YFDP), National Young Leaders Awards (NYLA), National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) and National Youth Development Fund (NYDF).

Referring to the north eastern region, he said its youth have great responsibility towards nation building and also mentioned the flagship schemes initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi such as Digital India, Skill India and Make in India.