Punjab CM says future wars will be economic in nature; onus on the young generation to protect the nation
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday exhorted the youth to get ready to counter the military and economic challenges faced by India from two “hostile” neighbouring nations, particularly China.
Amarinder said India was being surrounded by China which had strong economic and military ambitions and posing a new threat to the country and its youth.
“There is no country around India which does not have Chinese presence. There is a need for India to be on guard 24X7. And, the youth are best equipped to do this,” he said at the HT Youth Forum 2017 in Chandigarh.
The Punjab chief minister was the chief guest at the sixth edition of the ‘Top30Under30’ event held by Hindustan Times to honour young prodigies from the northern region.
Thirty talented achievers under the age of 30, from across the region, selected from diverse fields on the basis of their talent, success and potential, were honoured.
A panel discussion on “Youth as Agents of Change” was also held on the occasion, in which actors Anil Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu, cricketer Gautam Gambhir and film director Imtiaz Ali participated.
In his eight-minute long speech, Amarinder said that India was passing through a highly demanding phase and all citizens had a responsibility to protect the nation.
“The future is in the hands of the youth, since 70% of the country’s population is now under 40. Also, all future wars will be economic in nature and the youth will have to carry the baton for safeguarding the interests of the nation,” he remarked.
Pointing out that the northern region comprising Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, was particularly vulnerable to external threats due to two “hostile neighbours” on all sides, he said that youth needed to play a proactive role to ensure the safety of these states and their people.
The Congress leader, who gave the awards to achievers, said he was happy to see so many talented youth from different fields.
Amarinder, who is a former officer of Sikh regiment, also spoke nostalgically of his army days, especially his first posting in an area on the Indo-China border that is now part of Himachal Pradesh, and expressed confidence that today’s youth would also not be found wanting when it came to doing their duty for the country.
