Investment of Energy, Efforts and Resources in Rural Youth is the key to National Development: Mr. Pradeep Jain ‘Aditya’

New Delhi, 29 September 2013

Investing in young people living in rural areas is the key to enhance on-farm and off-farm productivity, food security and generating employment opportunities. This will in turn reduce migration to urban areas.  These thoughts were expressed by Mr Pradeep Jain ‘Aditya’, Minister of State for Rural Development, Govt of India.  He was addressing the inaugural session of the 6th Regional Policy Dialogue of Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and Pacific (CIRDAP) on ‘Role of Youth in Rural Development’ in national capital today. In his address to the delegations of 15 member countries of CIRDAP, the Minister further emphasized that in the present scenario, youth has to be motivated to play a pivotal role in providing leadership for the future and also for effective implementation of the developmental programmes, so that the scourge of poverty is completely eradicated from the country.

He stated that over 60 per cent of the world’s rural population is comprised of youth.  A well educated and trained youth population gives the country enormous potential for economic and social development.  It is therefore, important that the youth are treated as significant partners in the national development process, said the Minister.

The theme of the 6th Regional Policy Dialogue, ‘Role of Youth in Rural Development’ showcased the best practices from various member countries where youth development activities were implemented successfully.  Best practices from Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Malaysia and Afghanistan where youth were considered as engines of community development and thus enhancing their efforts and initiatives for sustainable development were presented and discussed. 

An exclusive session showcasing India’s innovative rural development projects profiled the successful initiatives in NGO and private sectors.  Self Employment Women’s Association (SEWA), Tata Trust, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), Kudumbasree, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI) and Dr Reddy’s Foundation represented India’s success stories in the sector. The presentations highlighted the practices which have yielded appreciable results in driving the rural youth to self-reliance and holistic development of them and their families.

Mr S Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India, Ms Nita Chowdhury, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India, Dr Cecep Effendi, Director General of CIRDAP, Mr SM Vijayanand, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of India and Dr D Agochia, International Expert and Consultant for Youth Affairs, CIRDAP also spoke during the sessions.