Shillong, June 17: The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) on Thursday requested the state government to empower children and young people who are extremely vulnerable to the greater societal shifts being witnessed as a result of the virus.

A delegation of the NPYF met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday to urge him to empower these youths through up skilling and better learning opportunities so that it improves resistance against threats and challenges in a highly volatile market after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The delegation from the NPYF was led by its National Youth Working President, Nickey Nongkhlaw along with other youth members also informed the Chief Minister that it is going to organize a series of online career counseling and mental health programs very soon in English, Khasi, Garo and Jaintia for which professional counselors will be engaged for these programs to provide counseling and support via phone, webinar or in-person counseling meetings if required.

Nongkhlaw also applauded the Meghalaya Youth Policy 2021 of the government which will accommodate the aspirations of lakh of youths in the State especially when it comes to offbeat career options such as sports, visual arts, games, songs, dance, drama etc apart from the traditional academic opportunities.

He said the Chief Minister mentioned that the Youth Policy will be implemented very soon in the State and many youths are going to benefit from this initiative.

After their meeting with the Chief Minister, the NPYF said they are convinced that the Youth Policy will help Meghalaya to harness the potential, energy, skills and enthusiasm of young people which will allow them to play an integral and proactive role in the development process of the State.