Youth largest segment of Indian workforce, to play important role in nation building: Sonal Goyal (IAS)
Expert talk on 'Role of youth for nation building' organized at Chandigarh University, Gharuan
CHANDIGARH: The youth constitute as much as 47% of India’s workforce presently and will remain the biggest segment for next decade as well. With no dearth of talent, knowledge and resources in the country, the youth is poised to play a very important role in nation building, said ‘Web Wonder Woman’ and eminent speaker Mrs. Sonal Goyal (IAS), while addressing an Expert Talk at Chandigarh University, Gharuan.
In its endeavour to apprise youth of its responsibilities in nation building, the Chandigarh University organised an expert talk where IAS officer and eminent TEDx speaker Mrs Sonal Goyal spoke on the topic ‘Role of Youth for Nation Building'.
Addressing the students, Mrs Sonal Goyal said that the role of youth is paramount in nation building for they are the leader of the country and they are going to decide how our country will progress.
As per the India Skills Report 2020, she said that currently, Millennials contribute almost half (47%) of the country's working population and are likely to remain the largest segment of the Indian workforce for the next ten years.
“There is no dearth of talent, knowledge and resources in the country and the youth is poised to play a very important role in nation building. We all know that there is a lot of creativity, dynamism and innovation in the younger generation, which needs to be channelised in a proper way. Hence, it is our responsibility as a society to guide and support them,” she said.
Referring to the freedom struggle, she said that the youth not only have the power to unite everyone, but the youth have immense leadership potential as demonstrated in the freedom struggle of this great nation.
Talking about women empowerment, Mrs Goyal remarked that with more and more women climbing up the leadership ladder, there has been a great help in removing gender inequality and discrimination.
“It is our responsibility as a society to support women, guide them on the path to follow and how they can contribute in nation building. Only 7- 8% of the total IPS officers in the country are women, the number has been 16-17% in the IAS and 20% in other services. Therefore, to encourage women towards this field, first of all, education has to be ensured for them and they have to be provided with enough opportunities for graduation and post-graduation,” she said.
Noting that due to lack of awareness, girls in some parts of the country do not have knowledge about civil services and career opportunities in this field, Mrs Goyal said that women need to believe in themselves.
“Many states have tied up with coaching institutes, many state governments are providing free coaching including scholarships to women for civil services exams. It is important for girls to come forward with courage and the society should support them,” she said, adding, much remains to be done for the upliftment of women in India.
After the expert talk, Mrs. Goyal also had an interactive session with the students, during which she answered their queries and cleared their doubts about their career and professions.
Responding to the query of Aman, a student of Computer Science Engineering, Mrs. Goyal said that the Government of India is making efforts to promote the skill development of youth in rural and urban areas.
“For the skill development of the youth, different schemes and projects have been devised and implemented by the government in different states. IITs, Polytechnics and other such institutions have been established for skill education training etc. Employment Exchange Program are being run in which job opportunities are provided to the youth on the basis of their education and skills. It is important to be aware about various such programs, to take advantage of them, completely,” she said.
She said that the government is trying to encourage the youth physically and mentally through many such programs and schemes like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Prime Minister's Youth Mission, Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, Startup Mission etc.
Responding to a question from a Biotechnology student, he said that the youth need to become responsible citizens. “Our parents never let us down, so it is our responsibility to use our knowledge and position for the development of the country,” she said.
During this event, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Dr R S Bawa among many other officials of the varsity were specially present.