Put candidate before party, ABVP leader tells youths

SHILLONG: State executive member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Anil Singh Roka has appealed to the youths of the state to choose candidates who would dedicate themselves to developing their constituencies instead of voting for a particular political party in the upcoming Assembly polls.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National Youth Day programme at RB Anoop Chand Hindi Secondary School at Police Bazar, Roka said: “In my opinion the younger generation should accord priority to candidates rather than the parties they belong to. If the candidate is capable and willing to do everything for the benefit of his constituency, youths should choose him rather than a party.”
He said the current election scenario was “jumbled” with nothing fixed as legislators were moving from one party to another.
Asked about the challenges faced by youths in the state, Roka said they were not getting the right platform to showcase their talents in fields like sports and business.
He bemoaned that today’s youths lacked support from senior people which could enable them to flourish in different fields.
He informed that ABVP is planning to hold a two-day conference and the points of discussion would be finalised only after the arrival of the state organising secretary.
ABVP ‘not into politics’
Asked about the kind of opposition that the ABVP is facing in many parts of the country, Roka rplied: “We are not into politics; we are committed to the development of the student community”, adding that ABVP conducts student development programmes like quiz competitions and career guidance seminars.
Commenting on recent clashes fuelled by ABVP activists, he asserted that those who get involved in violent incidents don’t know about ABVP’s motto, which is knowledge, character and unity.
“Many people relate ABVP with politics which is why we are facing opposition, but we are not into politics,” he insisted.
Roka added that ABVP always welcomes new members in its fold and the students’ body has enrolled more than 1000 members in Meghalaya.
Flawed education system
There are flaws in the present education system which is leading to unemployment, a former vice principal of Laban Bengalee Boys’ Higher Secondary School said on Friday.
Speaking at a function to commemorate the 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda as National Youth Day at RB Anupchand Hindi Secondary School, Rita Ghosh urged ABVP to train unemployed youth in the state in skill development. ABVP released a blood directory on the occasion.
Prizes were given out for various competitions held on January 8.