DG YSS chairs maiden meeting, vows holistic youth development through sports
Srinagar, Jun 13: In a push to steer youth away from digital overexposure and the menace of substance abuse, Director General Youth Services and Sports (YSS) J&K, Anuradha Gupta, on Friday chaired her first meeting with District Youth Services and Sports Officers (DYSSOs) of the Kashmir division, calling for inclusive, accessible, and district-specific sporting initiatives to ensure no child is left out of physical activity.
The meeting, as per a statement, was held in the office chamber of the DG YSS here and focused on ensuring holistic youth development through active participation in sports, curbing rising screen addiction, and addressing the growing drug menace among young boys and girls.
DG Anuradha Gupta emphasised that no school-going child should remain unattended when it comes to sports and physical activities. She urged the field staff of the department to encourage students to participate in games of their choice, highlighting the crucial role of physical activity in today’s digital age. "With increasing screen time and concerning trends of substance abuse, sports provide a healthy and productive outlet for our youth," she said.
The DG conducted a detailed review of sports infrastructure across all Kashmir districts and discussed the popularity of various sports in different districts. Recognising the efforts of her predecessors, she commended their work in shaping the YSS Department’s mandate and called for continued progress in upgrading facilities to meet modern demands.
In a move toward inclusive development, Gupta issued guidelines for organising feasible sports activities for people with special needs. “Harmonious development means ensuring that everyone, including the differently abled and elderly, gets opportunities to participate in recreational and sports activities," she stated.
Acknowledging the importance of publicity, the DG praised the Department’s Media & Publicity wing and thanked local sports editors for their consistent support in highlighting YSS initiatives. "Transparency and visibility are key to inspiring more youth to join sports," she remarked.
The meeting was attended by Joint Director Kashmir, Deputy Director Planning, Assistant Director Kashmir, Sectional Officers, and Section Incharges from the YSS Directorate.
