PASIGHAT, 10 Aug: Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged the youth of the state to explore careers in the armed forces and other national services, saying that the state government has initiated a programme to support more youths to join the armed forces as officers.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the NCC Academy complex here in East Siang district on Monday, Khandu spoke about the Chief Minister's Frontier Sainik School Scholarship Scheme, under which financial support will be provided to Arunachali students studying in eight notified Sainik Schools and the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun.
Khandu described the NCC Academy complex as an important investment in the character-building, leadership development and nation-building potential of Arunachal's youth. He said the academy would provide young cadets with an institutional platform to develop discipline, leadership, physical fitness, patriotism and a spirit of service, besides encouraging them to pursue careers in the armed forces.
"The youth are the greatest strength of Arunachal Pradesh. Our responsibility is not merely to provide them education and employment opportunities, but also to build their character and instil in them the values of discipline, responsibility and service," the chief minister said.
He further informed that a collaborative officer-level coaching-cum-mentorship programme for students of Arunachal Pradesh, led by the Indian Army, will begin soon. The programme will provide focused guidance and mentorship to young people aspiring to join Sainik and military schools and ultimately become officers in the Indian armed forces, Khandu said.
"I see the NCC Academy, the Frontier Sainik School Scholarship Scheme and the Indian Army-led mentorship programme as complementary initiatives, together creating a stronger ecosystem for discipline, leadership, military education and national service," he said.
The chief minister urged the NCC cadets to look beyond conventional career choices and aspire for leadership positions in the armed forces.
He recalled the important role played by the NCC in shaping generations of young Indians and said that Arunachal, as a strategically important frontier state, stands to benefit immensely from a stronger NCC ecosystem.
He expressed confidence that the Pasighat academy would emerge as a premier training centre for NCC cadets, providing modern training facilities and opportunities for young people to interact with trained instructors and personnel from the armed forces.
The chief minister also spoke about the rapidly changing technological environment and its impact on today's youths, particularly the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media.
He said AI has enormous potential to transform education, employment, communication and almost every aspect of life, but cautioned that young people must learn to use emerging technologies responsibly.
"Technology is a powerful tool. Artificial intelligence can open up tremendous opportunities for our youth, but we must also understand its limitations and use it responsibly," he said.
Khandu particularly stressed the need for young people to remain conscious of the influence of social media. While social media has opened unprecedented opportunities for learning, communication and self-expression, its excessive or irresponsible use can adversely affect young minds, he said.
The chief minister urged the NCC cadets to use social media positively, avoid misinformation and cyber-related risks, and develop the ability to distinguish between reliable information and misleading content.
He urged the cadets to make the best use of the facilities available at the academy and carry the values learnt there into their schools, colleges, communities and professional lives.
Highlighting the growing importance of youth participation in nation-building, particularly in the context of India's vision of Viksit Bharat, Khandu said, "Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved without a Viksit Arunachal, and a Viksit Arunachal cannot be built without empowered, disciplined and responsible youth."
He said the state government would continue to support initiatives that provide the state's youth with opportunities in education, sports, skill development, entrepreneurship and leadership.
He also called upon parents, educational institutions and society at large to encourage more young people to join the NCC and benefit from its training, discipline, and values. (CM's PR Cell)
