Dr. Shikha Mishra
Dr Anil Verma Honoured for Distinguished Service and Youth Empowerment
Dehradun: Young people must combine education with technical skills, ethical values and discipline to build self-reliant lives and contribute meaningfully to national development, said Dr Sunita Bhatt, Principal of Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya.
Dr Bhatt was speaking as the chief guest at a state-level programme organised on the occasion of International Youth Day 2026 by the Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society under the Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare at the auditorium of Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tapovan Road, Raipur.
Emphasising the importance of character and responsible citizenship, Dr Bhatt urged young people to give priority to moral values and discipline alongside academic achievement. She said acquiring technical skills would help youth become self-reliant while enabling them to contribute to the country's development.
Advocate Lalit Joshi, Chairman of CIMS and UIHMT, called upon young people to adopt a drug-free lifestyle and focus on building a productive future. He also encouraged them to serve and support their parents to the best of their ability.
Introducing the theme of International Youth Day 2026, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” programme coordinator and Youth Red Cross Society member Dr Anil Verma said the theme seeks to recognise the diverse social and geographical circumstances in which young people live while addressing their shared needs and aspirations.
Dr Verma stressed that youth living even in the most challenging circumstances should be identified and empowered in accordance with their aspirations. He said meaningful youth empowerment requires quality education, skill development, proper guidance and adequate employment opportunities.
He also expressed concern over young people being drawn into substance abuse, crime, violence and human trafficking amid unemployment, intense competition, failure, mental stress and the desire to become wealthy overnight. He called for greater social and institutional efforts to prevent such trends and create constructive opportunities for young people.
Highlighting the importance of voluntary blood donation, Dr Verma also urged eligible youth to donate blood regularly to help save lives.
Dr Amit Shukla, Joint Director, USECS, said merely delivering motivational messages was not enough and that young people must receive proper guidance as well as opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. He urged them to remain alert about HIV/AIDS and avoid taking impulsive decisions.
Shantanu Bisht, State Udyog Mitra Committee functionary, encouraged young people to raise their concerns firmly while exercising independent judgment rather than simply becoming part of a crowd. He said awareness and critical thinking could help youth protect themselves from exploitation.
Mahendra Kumar, Deputy Director, USECS, reminded the gathering that circumstances are not always favourable and urged young people to remain patient and resilient during difficult phases of life.
Students also shared their perspectives on the role of youth in society. Kumkum Bhardwaj and Shailja Pokhriyal of the State Nursing College and Ruchi of Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidyalaya addressed the gathering.
A street play on drug abuse and AIDS awareness, presented by Hansa Group Director Vinod Mamgain and his team, further reinforced the programme's social message.
The programme also recognised individuals for their contribution to society. Among those honoured were Dr Anil Verma of the Red Cross, Advocate Lalit Joshi, Dr Sunita Bhatt, Shantanu Bisht, Red Cross Team Leader Major Premlata Verma, and State Nursing College teacher Ekta Upadhyay.
Several technical experts, student leaders and participants were also felicitated for their contributions, including Mohammed Javed, Sandeep Singh, Akhilesh Verma, Laxman Chauhan, Vinod Mamgain, and student leaders from DAV College and DBS College.
The programme was conducted by Dr Anil Verma of the Youth Red Cross, while USECS Joint Director, IEC Anil Sati, proposed the vote of thanks.
Officials, Youth Red Cross volunteers, students of the State Nursing College, CIMS and Navodaya Vidyalaya, as well as NCC cadets, attended the programme.
