Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the need to consider the aspirations, needs and changing circumstances of young people while formulating policies for them.
Addressing the Narendra Mohan Lecture in New Delhi today, Mr Singh said the government is moving beyond the concept of ‘Policy for Youth’ towards ‘Policy by Youth’ and ‘Policy with Youth’, in keeping with the changing needs of the times. He said that in a democracy, expressing dissent is a right, but spreading anarchy will not be accepted.
The Defence Minister added that accountability of constitutional institutions is an integral part of democracy, but deliberately undermining their credibility cannot be accepted. The Defence Minister described the interaction between different generations as a generational confluence rather than a generation gap. Mr Singh said he had the opportunity to work with leaders across generations during his political career in the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Referring to the leadership of BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Mr Singh said the younger generation brings new ideas and perspectives. He added that people across age groups have much to learn from one another. Mr Singh also recalled his experience of working with civil servants during his tenure as a Minister in the Uttar Pradesh government.
He noted that many officials working with him today are 25 to 30 years younger than him, but described this difference in age as an opportunity for the confluence of ideas and experiences across generations.
