The government has discussed a proposal to train 10 lakh young men and women annually in a military programme, in attempts to have a disciplined and nationalist force of youth, reported The Indian Express.
The National Youth Empowerment Scheme or N-YES will aim to "optimise the Indian demographic advantage" and is aimed at students of Classs 10, 12 or enrolled in a college program, the report said. The scheme, targeted specially at youth in rural areas, also proposes a set of incentives, including a fixed stipend for the 12-month period.
Additionally, it plans to make the N-YES an essential qualification for jobs in defence, police, paramilitary. Vocational and IT skills, disaster management, and Indian values through yoga, Ayurveda, and ancient philosophy will also be taught.
The scheme claims to instill values of nationalism and discipline into the youth, helping India become a vishwaguru or universal leader, and achieving PM Modi's New India 2022 vision.
A meeting regarding the scheme was called by the Prime Minister’s Office at the end of June, The Indian Express reported citing sources. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Defence Ministry, Department of Youth Affairs, and Human Resource Development Ministry. Sources added that a few officers were apprehensive of the N-YES scheme and proposed to strengthen the existing National Cadet Corps (NCC) instead.
It has been suggested to use the existing budget meant for NCC and NSS (national service scheme), and also MNREGA funds, the report said.
This, however, is not the first time that the suggestion has been made. In 2017. the PMO advised the HRD ministry to include key aspects of military schools (discipline, patriotism) in regular schools.
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