M'lore: New Horizons for Youth Participation Stressed Through Convention
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/ Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Feb 2: ‘People are living with a heaviness hanging over. They have some nagging feeling; something's always bothering them because of the sorry state of politics in our country. Only youth can bring changes in this ongoing trend. Keeping this in mind Rahul Gandhi exhorted them to gear themselves up for their participation in politics’, said Jithendra Singh, secretary of AICC and in-charge of Indian Youth Congress.
 
He was addressing the gathering at the “Youth Awareness Convention” organized by district youth congress committee at Tokkottu ground on Wednesday February 2.
 
Further speaking he said mere conventions and issue based debates made in Media do not change the plight of politics in our nation. Hence Rahul Gandhi opened the doors of politics to welcome youths. He also called upon people to come forward to change the current situation and to make use of the opportunity created by Rahul Gandhi.
 
In the presidential address of Rajeev Sawath, president of Indian Youth Congress Committee said that BJP speaks about deity Rama, unfortunately its antecedents do not show it. Passionately expressing his grief he said, people of Karnataka expect a drastic change when Gadkari calls Yeddyurappa for a meeting in Delhi during any political dilemma, but both of them come out smiling as if nothing has happened and finally culminating in settlement between them.

In the keynote address Krishna Byre Gowda said that the reason for political problems is lack of youth participation. Though 70 % population of our country comprises of youth, only 15% have shown interest towards politics. Lack of leaders with leadership qualities has caused huge loss to the nation. Rahul Gandhi realized the need for transparency while involving people in congress, he planned for open membership campaign across the nation. He stated that anymore office bearers from booth level to any top post will be elected through election. This is a ‘silent revolution’, he coined. He announced that congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will visit the city next month as part of youth campaign.
 
Former minister Janardhan Pooajry, MLA Abhayachandra Jain, district congress president Ramanath Rai, former MP Vinay Kumar Sorake, president, Former MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty, congress leaders Pramod Madhwaraj, Ivan D’Souza, Jayaprakash Hegde, MLA U T Khader, among others were present on the occasion.
 
Two vehicles carrying ‘youth message’ reached Tokkottu before the commencement of the convention. Youth congress activists from various places like Puttur, Sullia, Chikmagalur and other places participated in the convention in large numbers. D K District Youth Congress Committee Arun Coelho welcomed the gathering. Abdul Saleem delivered vote of thanks.