"Youth should Generate opinion on issues and not people" , says Atray  

Chandigarh, August 12:
Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung-India organized a two-day regional seminar on “Engaging Youth in Political Deciosion-Making” in Golden Jubilee Hall, Punjab University. On the first day , this seminar provided an open forum to the city youth to express their opinions and suggestions on bringing about changes in the political scenario in the country.
Mr. Vivek Atray, Director Tourism and Public Relations, UT Administration , in his inaugural address urged the youth to generate opinion on issues and not people. He said that youth should influence the decision-making by becoming an alert citizen which is possible only if they create an opinion of their own by raising their voice to do their bit in nation-building. He stressed the need for becoming a global citizen for bringing in the desired change in the society.
Mr. Rajeshwar Dya, Advisor, FES informed that FES is committed to values of creating better understanding between people , democracy and social justice. He stressed upon the role of media in introducing progressive ideas to the society.
Ms. Renuka B. Salwan, Chairperson of Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI in her welcome remarks said that since the nations are not built in the battlefields but in the universities where heart of the nation beats, youth should come forward and visualize the future of the nation.
Mr. Charanjit Singh, Managing Director, Core Communications Pvt. Ltd. and the seminar convenor asked the youth to look at politics as another career opportunity to bring about positive changes in the society.
The sessions which followed the inaugural session dealt with topics like “Politics in India”, Exploitation of Youth by Politicians” and “Curtailing Democracy : Need for a qualitative change”.
Nearly 100 students from 18 educational institutions from Chandigarh participated in this seminar, which include the students of University Business School, Deptt of Mass Communication, Deptt of Legal Studies, Panjab Engineering College, Chandigarh College of Engineering & Technology, UIET, ICFAI, Govt Polytechnic, GCM, GCG, SD College, SGGS College, Home Science College, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Bulls Eye.
Interactions were also held after each session by the students where various issues were raised by them.
The technical sessions were coordinated by Prof. K.P. Shante of G.C.M. Sector 11; Dr. Jayant Petkar, Chairman, Mass Communications Deptt, P.U. and Dr. Sunita Jain of C.C.E.T. Sector 26.
The seminar shall conclude tomorrow where students will make presentations on topics like “Money and muscle power in elections”, “Criminalisation of politics: and “Role of youth in voters' education”.