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Goel said the youth are indeed the most dynamic and vibrant segment of the population in any country. India is one of the youngest nations in the world, with about 65% population under 35 years of age. It is expected that by the year 2020, the population of India would have a median age of 28 years only as against 38 years for US, 42 years for China and 48 years for Japan.
The minister said that, his ministry is engaged in the noble task of developing the personality and leadership qualities of the youth by involving them in community service and various nation-building activities. This is being done, inter-alia, through two youth volunteering organisations, namely, National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS). NYKS currently has 8.6 million youth volunteers enrolled through 3.03 lakh youth clubs with presence in entire rural India and NSS has 3.66 million student volunteers in senior secondary schools and colleges all over the country. Goel asked the Overseas Indian youth willing to make contribution to various social causes can connect to NYKS, NSS and RGNIYD and work with them to contribute in building a strong India.