(a) whether the Government has planned any policy for the spiritual development of the youth;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the Government has planned any policy for the spiritual development of the youth;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) No Madam. The Government has not planned any specific
policy for the spiritual development of the youth. However, under
the National Youth Policy-2014 (NYP-2014), ‘promotion of social
values’ is one of the key priority areas. NYP-2014 envisages that
the youth should uphold social values and moral standards of the
highest order. This would include inter-alia, inculcating in the youth
a sense of harmony and togetherness, values like compassion,
kindness and empathy, spirit of integrity and truthfulness, concern
for environment and developing compassion for other living
creatures, etc. NYP-2014 recommends various policy interventions
in this regard like (i) moving towards formalising value education,
(ii) strengthening programmes like NYKS, NSS and NCC that instil
social values among the youth through their programmes and (iii)
supporting non-government organisations working towards
spreading values and harmony.
Ministry of AYUSH is taking a number of steps for development of
Yoga, which promotes development of body and mind, including
spiritual development. These include celebration of International
Day of Yoga on 21st June every year, imparting Yoga education
through Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, conducting
research in the field of Yoga through the Central Council of
Research in Yoga and Naturopathy and approval, in principle, for
constitution of a Board for promotion and regulation of Yoga.
National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan
(NYKS) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports are playing
an important role in developing personality and character of the
youth and developing social values among them. NSS has about
3.66 million student volunteers in schools, colleges and
universities and NYKS has about 8.65 million youth enrolled
through its affiliated youth clubs. These youth are being involved in
various community service and nation-building activities. Yoga has
been made a mandatory component in all residential training/ other
programmes conducted by NYKS and NSS.
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