PM urges youth to resist social evils, uphold civic duty

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 4: Prime Minister of the Interim government Sushila Karki has said that young people must recognise their responsibility to resist negative elements present in society and act as responsible citizens. 

Addressing the graduation parade of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Senior Division training programme at the Nepali Army barracks in Hatikhore of Nawalparasi (East), on Tuesday, Prime Minister Karki emphasised the need for youths to contribute positively to society.

While addressing the graduates, Prime Minister Karki urged the youth to move forward by respecting law, protecting public property, and playing an active role in positive social change. 

“Do not hesitate to appreciate good, honest and humane initiatives in society, and remember that resisting harmful elements is also part of your duty,” urged the Prime Minister. 

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening national unity and social harmony. She called on the youth to respect Nepal’s diversity in language, culture, caste, attire and geography, while further strengthening the shared identity of being Nepali in both heart and mind.

She also urged young people to translate patriotism into action. “Do not limit patriotism to emotions alone,” she said. “Demonstrate it through conduct by presenting yourselves as honest, dutiful and responsible citizens.”

Prime Minister Karki highlighted the need for the younger generation to prioritise morality, character and integrity. “Give importance to long-term values over short-term gains, and strive to become disciplined, principled and responsible youths,” she said.

Premier Karki further underlined the importance of capacity building, encouraging continuous engagement in education, skills development and self-improvement. Stressing that meaningful contributions to the nation are not possible without personal competence, she said, “If you cannot build yourselves, you cannot adequately give to others or to the country.”

She urged the youth to develop life skills alongside formal education and to take interest in technology and innovation to become capable and competitive. Prime Minister Karki further urged the youth to become a pillar of trust for society during disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides and fires, voluntarily take part in rescue, relief and social service activities and become a source of inspiration for society by language you use and speak and conduct you display and demonstrate exemplary leadership.

In the current fiscal year, a total of 7,710 individuals have received training from 257 schools across the country. Among them, 1,080 cadets are from the Senior Division and 6,630 from the Junior Division, who are set to be commissioned this year. 

To date, nearly 90,000 youths have received NCC training and have been commissioned. 

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Nepali Army and the National Cadet Corps family for this achievement,” said PM Karki. 

On the occasion, PM Karki said that the government would take necessary initiatives in the coming years to increase the number and further expand this programme, as the government remains firmly committed to providing all possible support for the all-round development of the younger generation.