By Our Reporter
Shillong: The failure of policy makers of yesteryears to come up with appropriate investment strategies in human capital formation has created a huge gap between the demand and supply in education not only in Meghalaya but in the entire region, said Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.
“We have missed out on human capital investment which should have been the top priority of every government to ensure rapid development of the society through enlightened, productive and responsible youth”, Dr Sangma said.
The chief minister was addressing a gathering at the launching of the Vivekananda Centre for Youth Counselling to mark the 10th anniversary celebration of the Computer Training Unit of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the institute premises here on Saturday.
Highlighting these drawbacks in the education system, Dr Sangma said the inability to set up the best of educational institutions for the youth of the state and region has compelled the north eastern students to move out in pursuit of further studies.
Stressing this point, the chief minister stated that there is a need for every government to structure the investment strategies by striking a balance between various sectors adding that this can only happen if The State has enlightened and competent leadership.
Dr Sangma also said that the blame for the failure to formulate any policy cannot lie only with policy makers. “There are no bad leaders. Every citizen must share the blame because at the end of the day, this is a democratic country and we are the ones who elect the public representatives”, he said adding that the beauty of democracy lies in taking the correct decision. For this to happen civil society advocacy is integral.
While stating that India is one of the most populous countries in the world after China, Dr Sangma however said there is optimism in the population growth, as, going by the population structure, the youth population today has trebled that of China. “This could lead to faster growth but only if the youth are enlightened, responsive and productive”, he added.
“We have a vibrant new generation which is a reflection of the diversity of the country and this new generation is capable of contributing to the growth of a vibrant nation and democracy”, Dr Sangma observed.
Speaking on policy making, the chief minister said when it comes to strategizing the policy for youth, a policy maker should put himself or herself in the shoes of a young individual. “It is our duty, as policy makers to dream on behalf of the people and the youth in particular to bring about development in the society,” Sangma said.
On this note, Dr Sangma informed that the state government has taken up various initiatives on PPP (public-private partnership) mode to ensure inclusive development particularly among the youth, by imparting them with skills on entrepreneurship and encouraging them to become job providers instead of job seekers.
Earlier, the chief minister paid floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda and also visited the proposed site for employability training unit which was followed by the launching of the Youth Counselling project of the Institute.
It may be mentioned that one of the most important components of the special youth programmes to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations is the setting up of Vivekananda centres for youth counselling in major cities of India including Shillong with an aim to address the psychological needs of the youth.