Hans News Service Nellore

FormerVice-President M Venkaiah Naidu has urged governments to make moral education mandatory in schools, stressing the urgent need to instil cultural and ethical values in students from an early age.

Speaking in Venkatachalam during the silver jubilee celebrations of Swarna Bharat Trust (SBT), Naidu raised strong concerns over youth media consumption. He called for a ban on mobile phone use for students aged 16 to 18 years and advocated for legal restrictions to prevent them from maintaining social media accounts. Pointing out that social media is increasingly turning ‘anti-social’ and harming lives, he cited Australia’s recent restrictions as a model for Indian Central and State governments to emulate through stringent legislation.

Reflecting on his public career, Venkaiah Naidu highlighted his tenure as Union Minister for Rural Development under the Vajpayee government. He cited Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which brought all-weather roads to lakhs of villages, as one of his most satisfying achievements. With roughly 55% of India’s population residing in rural areas, he emphasized that national progress is impossible without rural empowerment.

Venkaiah Naidu commended the Swarna Bharat Trust, founded in 2001, for its 25 years of service through free medical camps, youth skill development, and women’s empowerment. He added that he has always opposed dynastic politics, encouraging his children to serve society through philanthropy instead. Swarna Bharat Trust Managing Trustee Deepa Venkat, representatives of print and electronic media and Trust members attended the interaction.