In a clear attempt to woo the youth, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday described them as the country’s “greatest national asset” and a “confident and courageous lot”.

In his address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, for the first time as President, Mukherjee exuded confidence that their passion, energy and enterprise will take India to new heights.

“I am aware that an aspirational India is emerging, an India that demands more opportunities, greater choices, better infrastructure and enhanced safety and security,” he said.

These remarks, which formed part of the opening part of his speech, were being seen as an earnest attempt by the Government to get closer to the Indian youth.

With general elections slated for 2014, the ruling combine is clearly looking to woo the youth, who will an influencing factor in the polls.

Mukherjee said his Government understood the increasing aspirations among the youth even while recognising the ground realities on the economic front.

“Amidst these aspirations, we are also burdened by gathering anxieties about economic slowdown, job security and employment prospects,” he said.

He highlighted that people are concerned about security of women and children. “They are also anxious about timely delivery of their entitlements and about persisting social and economic inequality.”

Mukherjee said that the Government, which was deeply concerned and clearly shaken up by the recent incidents, has also begun to implement a series of administrative measures to improve the safety and security of women in the country.

The President also said that the Government had after considering the recommendations of the Justice Verma for committee promulgated an ordinance amending the criminal law to provide for stringent punishment for heinous sexual offences against women.

>srivats.kr@thehindu.co.in

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