National and International Youth Day Celebrated in Debidwar: "Youth Must Become Skilled Through Training, Not Just Chasing Jobs"

 Md. Al-Amin, Debidwar, Cumilla (Special Correspondent :

Commemorating the theme "Technology-Dependent Youth, Progress through Multilateral Partnership," National and International Youth Day was celebrated in Debidwar, Cumilla.

On Tuesday, August 12, a youth procession, a pledge-taking ceremony, a discussion meeting, and a check distribution for youth loans were held, organized by the Upazila Administration and the Upazila Youth Development Office. Following a colorful procession on the Upazila Parishad premises, the discussion meeting was held in the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's conference room.

The event, presided over by Upazila Youth Development Officer Md. Harunur Rashid, featured Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Abul Hasnat Khan as the chief guest. Special guests included Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Raihanul Islam, former Principal of Debidwar Sujat Ali Government College Professor Abu Hanif, former GS (1974-1975) and organizer of Debidwar Sujat Ali Government College Abdul Awal Bhuiyan, liberation war researcher and journalist ABM Atiqur Rahman Bashar, and former Female Vice Chairman Mosammat Sufia Begum.

Successful entrepreneurs Mita Begum, Abul Kashem, and Romiz Uddin, who received training and loans from the Youth Development Office, also spoke. During the event, loan checks were distributed to 15 trainees. Various organizers from different unions were also present.

In his welcoming speech, Upazila Youth Development Officer Md. Harunur Rashid said that the day was first celebrated in 2000. He explained that in 1991, at the UN's World Youth Forum in Vienna, young participants demanded that a day be dedicated to youth. Later, in 1998, the UN's 'World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth' in Lisbon, Portugal, proposed August 12 as 'International Youth Day' for the development and empowerment of youth. On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly decided to celebrate the day as 'International Youth Day,' and it has been observed in various countries since 2000.

In his address, chief guest UNO Mohammad Abul Hasnat Khan said, "Youth must come forward to build a self-reliant Bangladesh in the future. Instead of chasing jobs, you must make yourselves skilled through training. This way, you can not only earn a living but also contribute to the country's economic development."

Bringing up the theme of technology-dependent youth, he added, "Our youth must keep pace with the world by advancing in technology. The Youth Development Directorate provides various training in the IT sector, and you can make yourselves skilled through these training programs. With skills, you now have opportunities to work online for America and other developed countries, even while staying in Bangladesh."