L-G calls upon youth to actively participate in governance, economic activity

Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan has called upon the youth to actively participate in governance and economic activity for realising the dream of making India a developed nation by 2047. 

Interacting with the students of Pondicherry University on the topic “know your Prime Minister” as part of Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme, the Lt. Governor said youth form central to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making the country a developed nation. The next twenty-five years will certainly belong to the youth of the country, he said. 

Talking about the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan held across the country to mark the 25 years of public life of Mr. Modi, the Lt. Governor said for someone to remain continuously in executive leadership for such a long period in a vibrant democracy like India was “a rare achievement.”

Recalling his long association with the Prime Minister as a bureaucrat while Mr. Modi was serving Gujarat as the Chief Minister, the Lt. Governor said “his journey from the modest lanes of Vadnagar to the helm of the world’s largest democracy has not, in my view, altered the essence of hardworking man I came to know in Gujarat.”

“The Prime Minister always believed in the potential of the country. Looking back after all these years, one thing stands out clearly—he has never stopped believing that India can do great things. That belief has been the driving force behind much of his work,” the Lt. Governor said. 

“If one sentence captures his leadership style it would be his often repeated questions- Why can India not do it.? What will it take to make it possible.? A leader who begins with limitations will usually produce limited results. A leader who begins with a larger goal and then finds a way to reach the goal could create change. I have seen this repeatedly happen with the Prime Minister,” he noted. 

The Lt. Governor recalled Mr. Modi’s strong determination in making rural electrification possible by making systemic changes in Gujarat. Ideas that initially appeared difficult became successful programmes, and projects that seemed ambitious became models for other States and eventually for the entire country, he recalled. 

Students raise complaints

As the interaction began, a student stood up and raised the issue of the quality of food supplied in PU hostel mess. The Lt. Governor said the issue was already brought to his notice, and he had suggested formation of Student Mess Committees with the University authorities. 

“I am of the opinion that the students should run the hostel mess. They should get involved in the operations of the mess in a cost effective manner. It will solve much of the problems surrounding the functioning of hostel mess,” he said.

Some students also complained about the inadequate transportation facility for day scholars. Vice Chancellor P. Prakash Babu was also present.