Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said public service and welfare of the state were the ruling National Conference`s (NC) benchmark and guiding principles and the party was firm on its policy whether in power or not.
"History bears the testimony to the sacrifices rendered by NC, its leadership and workers to make stronger pluralistic ethos of the state, nurture amity and brotherhood, built a society based on justice, fortify solidarity between various regions of the society and empower people -- socially, economically and politically.
"NC is firm on this policy, and whether in government or outside, its benchmark and guiding principle of politics is public service and good of the state," Omar said addressing student and youth activists of the party here.
Describing youth as the "energy base" of the party the Chief Minister, who is also the working president of NC, said the amalgamation of experience and enthusiasm represented by elders and the young has always been the party`s strength.
He asked the youth to take a leaf from the book of sacrifices and selfless services rendered by the elders and "emerge as the bulwark of the high principles" nurtured and upheld by the NC since its inception.
"You are the legacy holder and torch bearers of the party which even under challenging circumstances did not compromise (on) its high principles," he said, adding that the party has always been the voice of people, particularly of the poorer sections of the society.
Omar advised the youth to be active in every field of public service and strengthen the party at every level by infusing new energy and making young generation aware of its programmes and political agenda.
"You have to make people aware about the government`s historic decision giving people the right to ask questions to any government official... And seek answers regarding every penny spent on development," he said.
"You have to tell the people about innovative decisions taken by the government in the field of agriculture, horticulture, entrepreneurship development, addressing unemployment and upgrading the skill and employability of youths," the Chief Minister said.
