Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the youth of India have immense unexplored potential which often remains unutilized, either because of lack of opportunity or lack of patronage and grooming, while meeting the nonagenarian Hockey legend Balbir Singh Senior . Balbir Singh Senior was a member of the 3-time Olympics Gold Medal winning Indian Hockey team of 1948, 1952, 1956 and whose 1952 record of five goals in a single Olympics match remains unbeaten till date.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Ministry of Youth Affairs will provide special attention to States of the Northeast and J&K, so that the best of the talent is allowed to emerge. He said that within months after assuming office, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had announced the setting up of a Sports University in Manipur, considering the fact that this was the region which won for India the highest number of Olympic medals in athletics.
Dr Jitendra Singh also reiterated the resolve to re-orientate institutions like the Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) as means of facilitating and accomplishing the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Start up India” mission for youth. A series of workshops and camps will be planned soon with the help of “young achievers” to inspire and encourage youth in their respective fields, he added.