The Y20 Consultation, held in Bhubaneswar under the aegis of G20, focused on the role of youth in sustainable growth and development. Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey lauded the power of youth and urged them to follow the life and principles of Swami Vivekananda to make India a leading nation in the 21st century.
Bhubaneswar: Policymakers and foreign delegates attending Y20 Consultation here on Friday emphasised upon the role of youth in ensuring sustainable growth and development. The two-day event ‘Y20 Consultation’ organized under the aegis of G20 was kickstarted from Friday.
Delegates from around 20 countries attended the Y20 Consultation meet. Youths at KIIT University welcomed the guests with flowers and played traditional music instruments. A group of them were dancing to the rhythm of traditional drum beats. A group of youths played a fusion song of different Indian languages on the stage.
In his inaugural speech, Union minister of state for environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey said the youth power is becoming the strength of the nation now. “Country is marching ahead with the engine of youth power running on the track of self-reliance,” he added.
He encouraged the younger generation to emulate the life and principles of Swami Vivekananda and strive to make India a leading nation in the 21st century. “Youths hold the future of this great nation. They have a crucial role to play in the development process that will bring peace and prosperity to society,” he added.
Around 50 foreign speakers including members of parliaments (MPs), ministers, and other national speakers will attend the meeting. Four public speeches and four plenary sessions were conducted on the first day of the Y20 Consultation in KIIT University campus here.
The Y20 Consultation brought together students, educators, business leaders, and spiritual leaders from India and G20 countries. The forum provided a platform for youths to raise awareness of global issues, exchange ideas, share innovative thoughts, engage in discussions, and negotiations, and reach a consensus.
The outcomes of the deliberations will be presented at the G20 meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year, said the official sources.
Tusharkanti Behera, sports and youth services minister from state emphasized the need for youths to come together and work towards preserving cultural heritage and promoting national integrity.
Among others, Union secretary of youth affairs and sports Meeta Rajivlochan, member of UK Parliament Virendra Sharma, former US Congressman Robert Pittenger, Switzerland Parliament member Niklaus Samuel Gugger, KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta, three-time Grammy award winner musician Ricky Kej and other delegates spoke about the Y20 theme ‘Building Youth’.
Ricky Kej concert mesmerised the youths at the Y20 Consultation in the evening.
Source: Y20 Consultation begins in Bhubaneswar – Times of India