New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday cautioned the youth against what she termed “Urban Naxalism”, saying such influences posed an internal challenge to the country, and urging them to use their creativity and talent for nation-building.
Her remarks came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, said Maoist extremism was nearing its end in the country, while calling for the identification and isolation of what he described as “dimagi Naxals”.
She urged them to move beyond social media and turn their ideas into start-ups, creativity into innovation and questions into research. “I want to say to my young friends: Do not limit your strength to social media. Use your ideas for start-ups and your creativity for innovation.
Gupta said the aim is to ensure that when India completes 100 years of Independence, other states in the country would like to adopt the Delhi model While laying down the roadmap for her government. On environment, Gupta said the government had set a target of planting 70 lakh trees and saplings, with more than 63 lakh already planted. She said 75 acres of land had been reclaimed from garbage mountains and work was underway to clean and rejuvenate the Yamuna.
Addressing the Delhi government’s Independence Day function at Chhatrasal Stadium, Gupta said the youth constitute the country’s “Amrit generation” and can question, innovate, and compete globally. Gupta said the country was fighting challenges on “two and a half fronts”, with the “half front” being an internal challenge posed by those she accused of denigrating the country and its armed forces. She asked young people to remain alert to narratives that, according to her, could undermine national institutions and the armed forces. Turn your questions into research, use your sensitivity for service and channel your talent towards nation-building,” she said. On development, the chief minister said Delhi had a special responsibility as the national capital and could become a model for other states in the journey towards “Viksit Bharat”. She said her government was working to develop the city as a growth engine by strengthening infrastructure, healthcare, education, transport and environmental systems.
