Cong gears up for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Students’ Voice’ programme
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 11 Jul: Utarakhand Congress has launched preparations in earnest to ensure the success of Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Students’ Voice’ programme scheduled for July 17 at Parade Grounds here. To mobilise participation, the party has assigned responsibilities to former and current student union leaders. Rahul Gandhi is expected to address youth and students in the evening around 5 or 6 pm as part of the initiative.
Speaking informally with the media persons, State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal claimed that the programme is non-political and aims to highlight issues that directly affect students. He asserted that the students work hard for examinations but when the time comes, paper leaks occur, which undoubtedly jeopardise their future. He added that Rahul Gandhi will raise questions on how such leaks can be prevented, what measures the Government should adopt and how students can be made more aware. Godiyal appealed to students to attend in large numbers and listen to Rahul Gandhi’s views.
Virendra Pokhariyal, three-time president of DAV PG College student union, said preparations are underway to ensure the success of the event, with a target of drawing 12,000 to 15,000 students and youth. He accused the BJP of playing with the future of young people by failing to prevent repeated paper leak incidents. He said Rahul Gandhi’s address in Dehradun will bring these critical issues to the forefront and give voice to students’ concerns.
The Congress hopes the programme will energise its cadre and establish a direct connect with the youth, while the BJP has already begun countering the move with sharp remarks, setting the stage for heightened political activity in the run-up to elections.
To mobilise participation, the party has assigned responsibilities to former and current student union leaders. Rahul Gandhi is expected to address youth and students in the evening around 5 or 6 pm as part of the initiative.
On 17 July Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive in Dehradun to interact with the students and the youth under the ‘Students’ Voice’ campaign. The programme aims to discuss issues related to education, competitive examinations and youth concerns. The two-day visit of AICC general secretary organisation C Venugopal concluded on Friday, while Rahul Gandhi’s Uttarakhand tour has now been finalised. His earlier visit scheduled for June 4 and 5 could not take place due to bad weather, though he had reached Pantnagar before the pilot refused to fly further to Almora. Rahul Gandhi later shared the information on social media.
Congress in-charge for Uttarakhand Kumari Shailja said that paper leaks across the country have played havoc with the future of youth, leading to suicides among students and immense suffering for families and society. She said Rahul Gandhi is travelling across the country to raise the voice of students and will be in Uttarakhand on 17 July. She added that young people are migrating to other parts of the country even for small jobs, raising the question of why employment opportunities are not available within the state. Industries established during Congress rule have also been shutting down without any policy to prevent closures. It is for these reasons that Rahul Gandhi will interact with youth in Dehradun on July 17 evening through the ‘Students’ Voice’ programme.
