Awantipora, July 24: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha addressed the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect programme at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, underscoring the transformative potential of youth in shaping the future of Jammu & Kashmir and the nation.
The programme, part of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative, is designed to foster deeper engagement between young citizens and policymakers. It aims to cultivate participatory governance, leadership development, and civic consciousness among India’s youth.
In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor praised the initiative as a landmark effort to empower youth as architects of India’s growth story. “The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are the torchbearers of progress. Their energy, innovation, and resilience will lay the foundation for long-lasting peace and prosperity in the region,” he stated.
Referencing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s four pillars of Youth Connect—Engage, Encourage, Enable, and Inspire—the LG highlighted the role of the MY Bharat platform in providing structured opportunities for young people to contribute to national discourse and policy-making.
“This programme is a powerful instrument for nurturing leadership qualities and civic responsibility among our youth. It encourages them to voice their views on critical national issues and play an active role in shaping India’s future as we approach the centenary of independence in 2047,” the LG said.
Calling upon the youth to uphold the ethos of Nation First, the Lieutenant Governor urged students to embrace the Prime Minister’s Panch Pran (Five Resolves), and to imbibe traits such as initiative, creativity, persistence, and the courage to learn from failure.
He lauded IUST for implementing progressive academic and administrative reforms in recent years and emphasized the need for universities to serve as engines of economic and technological advancement. “This is the right time for IUST to establish a semiconductor lab. Higher education institutions must lead the charge for Viksit Bharat. We cannot achieve the vision of a developed India without transforming our districts and universities,” he said.
Paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the LG urged the youth to emulate his ideals and work towards building a strong, inclusive, and united India.
Touching on a pressing social issue, the Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance policy against drug abuse and outlined a comprehensive strategy to keep educational campuses drug-free. Measures announced include:
Mandatory drug-free pledges at the time of admission
Formation of “Say No to Drugs” student committees, monitored by faculty members, to serve as early warning systems
Confidential reporting mechanisms and access to mental health services through helplines like Tele-Manas
Inclusion of drug de-addiction awareness modules in academic curricula
“These interventions are crucial for safeguarding our youth and ensuring that our universities remain centers of learning, innovation, and nation-building,” he emphasized.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated winners of the pre-events, including debate competitions and the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament. He extended his best wishes for the national-level interaction with the Hon’ble Prime Minister on August 12, which will involve students from 1,339 universities across India. According to the News Service Associated News Bureau ANB that
The LG also administered the Viksit Bharat Shapath (pledge), reaffirming the youth’s dedication to the nation’s progress. Additionally, he released the university’s latest publication and the IUST Institutional Development Plan, aimed at enhancing academic excellence, research capacity, and future-readiness.
Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of IUST, presented the university’s roadmap for aligning its academic and administrative priorities with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. The plan covers key areas such as research, innovation, skill development, and social outreach.
The event featured a vibrant Yuva Samvad (youth dialogue) session, where students engaged in open discussions on civic duties, developmental priorities, and current socio-economic challenges. The day concluded with a special screening of Sardar @150, a documentary tribute to the life and legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Among those present were Shri Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department; Shri Basharat Qayoom, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama; Prof. A.H. Moon, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof. Abdul Wahid, Registrar, IUST; senior government officials, heads of departments, faculty members, and a large gathering of students
