DHARAMSHALA: Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), Bangalore Chapter, conducted a two-day National Youth Convention entitled YUVA BHARAT – 2020, from 25- 26 February at Prashant Kutiram, Jigani, Bangalore.
As invited, Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Chief Representative, South Zone, Bangalore attended the inaugural session and also delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Situation in Tibet in the light of current events in Tibet and also at the larger perspective of India and her neighbours with specific focus on regional security.
The inauguration was blessed by the Jagadguru Shankarcharya Sr. Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji and addressed by, among others, Dr. V.K Sarawat, Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defense & Director General DRDO, Dr. Subramanium Swamy, President, Janata Party, Sri P N Benjamin, Founder, Bangalore Initiative Religious Dialogue and Sri Indresh Kumar, Member, National Executive, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh.
In the after lunch session II – India and her Neighbours, Mr. Phuntsok outlined the strategic geo-political importance of Tibet and drew attention to the past status and current situation in Tibet. He also highlighted her relations with India in the past and today and pinpointed the imperative Tibet’s role in the regional security. He urged the gathering to condemn the Chinese repressive regime in Tibet resulting in the spate of self-immolations. He also made a comprehensive case for Tibet to be a pivotal element in the regional security scenario and for a ‘powerful secured India’.
Other panelists at the session included Lt Gen (Retd) D B Shekatkar, President, FINS and Lt. Gen V. M Patil, Vice President, FINS. In his key note address Mr. Patil recalled the mistakes made by India in the past and listed the positive achievements of India in the fields of national security and integrity. He also outlined a number of elements for future consideration to build a strong and powerful India.
Student representatives from Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives briefly presented their positions on the regional security issues.
In an unscheduled intervention Mr. Vijay Gore, IAS (Retd) and former Addl. Secretary, Government of Karnataka and President of Karnataka Chapter of FINS, expressed his unconditional solidarity to the presentation of Mr. Phuntsok and implored the gathered youth to appreciate the freedom and democracy in India and urged them to be always vigilant to protect these. Otherwise they would never know when these would be snatched from them. Many from the audience, at the end of session, met with Mr. Phuntsok to say, “We are always with you”.
The two-day convention was attended by over 800 youths from 22 states of India and students from neighbouring counties including, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
FINS is an non-political, non-government organisation with a national vision on national security. The YUVA BHARAT – 2020 was organised, therefore, to bring together the youth and senior members of society to evolve a joint approach and chalk out a blue print towards a strong and secure Bharat in order to ensure the security in the region.
