PUNE: For the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, Pune-based students have released a youth manifesto related to students’ issues which are not priortised in election campaigns. The Student Helping Hands organisation had also organised a discussion panel regarding youth manifesto with several youth leaders from different parties in the city on Thursday.
A few of their demands are that there should be changes in traditional courses provided in universities and colleges and to be made at par with universities abroad like Oxford and Cambridge. Those students coming from rural areas in the city for education should be enabled to avail quality education at their place. The universities and colleges should provide courses on competitive exams for aspiring students.
“In 2012, a youth manifesto was released which was accepted by the then ruling government and decided to allot funds of around Rs 20 crore for it. However, the funds were never allotted. Again in 2014, another Youth Manifesto was released under which the Ministry of Youth and Sports Department had brought in awards for sports students to encourage them to play. But only a few students in colleges practice sports, leaving others in no benefit,” said Sharad Tandale, entrepreneur and writer of ‘Ravan Raja Rakshsancha’.
Tandale stated that first of all, the youth and sports should have a separate ministry. “This will enable the government to focus on each department. While the sports department is working fine, youth development is still lacking. There are around 70-80 per cent of college students who lack vision in life and are often seen investing maximum time on social media. These students need to be given mentorship and motivate them to take up some skill development activities. The State government needs to focus on the development of these youths,” said Tandale.
THEIR DEMANDS
A few of their demands are that there should be changes in traditional courses provided in universities and colleges and to be made at par with universities abroad. Students coming from rural areas in the city for education should be enabled to avail quality education at their place. The universities and colleges should provide courses on competitive exams for aspiring students.
