Youth Related Policies

Youth Related Policies:

India is a country with a maximum proportion of young people. Individuals in the age group of 15-29 are considered as ‘Youth’. The ‘Youth’, if provided with opportunities for education and skill training, can contribute significantly to the development of India. A number of centres of ‘Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan’ were established in 1972. These centres began training young people for various skills. The programmes run by these centres were eventually merged in ‘National Youth Empowerment Programme’. This programme put a thrust on topics like literacy, education, health and hygiene, family welfare, preservation and conservation of the environment, awareness of social issues, rural development and self-employment.

12th January is the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. It is observed as ‘National Youth Day’. Every year, the National Youth Festival is celebrated in the month of January. This festival is organised jointly by the Government of India and one of the State Governments. This festival is designed to provide a platform for the artistic talents of young individuals.

‘Youth Hostels Association of India’ has established youth hostels in various parts of the country. These hostels are managed in collaboration by the Government of India and respective state governments. ‘Youth Hostels Association’ works for encouraging adventure skills among young people. There are about 83 hostels in India, which provide accommodation to young people at minimum rates.

The training programmes are arranged by this association through ‘Bharat Scouts and Guides’, ‘National Service Scheme’ and ‘National Cadet Corps’.

The Kashmir War of 1948 taught a very important lesson to India, that freedom needs to be protected by strong Armed Forces. Its immediate manifestation was that the recommendations of Kunzuru committee were placed before the Constituent Assembly (Legislature) on 13 Mar 1948. A draft Bill was sent to the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) on 19 Mar 1948, which evoked great interest and enthusiasm amongst all members. After due deliberations and amendments, the Bill was passed by the Assembly on 08 Apr 1948. The Central Govt accepted the opinion of the Provincial Govts and the Standing Committee’s recommendations for the formation of a Cadet Corps which was to be named as “National Cadet Corps”, as recommended by the Kunzuru Committee.

The Bill received the assent of the Governor-General on 16 Apr 1948, and the National Cadet Corps came into being by an Act of the Parliament Act No. XXXI of 1948 designated ‘The National Cadet Corps Act 1948’. This Act with 13 clauses, prescribed the formation of the National Cadet Corps in India.

The first step in the process of raising of the NCC was setting up of the NCC Secretariat now called Headquarters Directorate General NCC. In fact, even before the NCC Bill was passed by the Constituent Assembly (Legislative), the Ministry of Defence had set up the nucleus of the NCC Secretariat, with Col (later retired as Chief of Army Staff) Gopal Gurunath Bewoor as first Director of the NCC. He took over as Director of NCC on 31 Mar 1948.

The ‘Aims’ of the NCC laid out in 1988 have stood the test of time and continue to meet the requirements expected of it in the current socio-economic scenario of the country. The NCC aims at developing character, comradeship, discipline, a secular outlook, the spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service amongst young citizens. Further, it aims at creating a pool of organized, trained and motivated youth with leadership qualities in all walks of life, who will serve the Nation regardless of which career they choose. Needless to say, the NCC also provides an environment conducive to motivating young Indians to join the armed forces.