CHANDIGARH: Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh Tuesday exhorted the youth to follow the teaching  of Mahatma Gandhi to realize his vision for an empowered and non-violent world.

He was presiding over the 2 nd Indo-Pak students peace camp-2007 organized here today by Yuvsatta, Dev Samaj College for women (Sec-45), KB DAV School (Sec-7) and Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti, New Delhi.

The Cooperation Minister said that Gandhi Ji played a pivotal role in the freedom movement of the Nation by providing leadership for a successful fight for the rights of the Indians with his unfailing weapons of 'satyagraha' and always preached non-violence and devoted himself to the propagation of unity and integrity, removal of untouchability, equality of women and reconstruction of the rural India.

The Minister further said that there were numerous challenges ahead for developing countries like India and Pakistan and they should strive ahead for providing better facilities to the public. He further said that to create quality infrastructure, the developing countries have to shun the approach of acquiring weapons of mass destruction which were claiming the major portion of their respective budgets.

He underlined the need to build a cohesive South Asian Identity to ensure a greater attention and say on the global stage. He urged the student of both India & Pakistan to play role of peace ambassadors on both sides to bring both countries more closely for further paving way for strengthening South Asian region, which was the need of the hour.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mrs. Harjinder Kaur, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, Executive Director, Belgaum Intergrated Rural Development Scheme, Karnatka, Mr. Ashok Patel, Trustee, Manav Sadhua, Ahmedabad, Mr. Mohd. Ghouse, Coordinator, COVA, Hyderabad, Mr. Mubashir Mirza, Chairman, Centre for Youth Development & Activities,   Pakistan and Mr. Parmod Sharma.