CHANDIGARH: Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister,  Gulzar Singh Ranike called upon youth to wage a war against female foeticide, drug addiction and gender discrimination.

Ranike was addressing the young girls at Punjab Bhawan, here last evening, who visited Chandigarh from Ludhiana in a "Sadbhawna March". He exhorted the youth to build strong national character and never to be arrogant, proud and to have their heads on their shoulders. He also advised the youth to rise above caste, creed, colour and worldly duels in order to set up a new ideal society, where everybody got equal opportunity to excel and exhibit their talent.

About 100 girls are participating in a week-long National Integration Camp being held at Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, which is sponsored by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Volunteers from eight states- Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab and H.P. are participating in the camp which aims at mutual exchange programme and an opportunity to interact with one another and to be aware about the culture, customs, values and heritage of different states.

Interacting with girls, Mr. Ranike said that it was a commendable effort which led to national integration, fusion of civilization of different states and widened the vision of youth. He emphasized the need to rise above "selfish considerations" and not to follow the western culture blindly. He averred that, if our thinking and mentality changed, it would automatically usher in a sea change in society.

Responding to a question raised by one of the volunteers, the Youth services Minister said that there was need to channelise the abundant energy of the youth in a constructive manner, in order to wean the youth away from menace of intoxication, addictions, other aberrations and evils which were so prevalent in present times.

The girl volunteers asked a variety of questions varying from female foeticide, corruption in polity, use of unfair means during elections, woman empowerment and male chauvinism etc. Dr. Madanjit Kaur Sahota, Principal, Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana said that it was for the third time when National Integration Camp was being organized by their college. She also explained the detailed programme and various activities undertaken by the participants.

While sharing their experiences, the girl students expressed their gratitude over the warm welcome they received from everybody in the state during "Sadbhawna March". They also informed that they felt contented after attending this camp in a state like Punjab which was known for its hospitality world over.