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Shekhawat's call to youth

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Expressing deep concern over farmers' suicides in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Sunday termed it "very unfortunate" and called upon the youth to take up the challenge of upliftment of rural areas.

Speaking on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of Amolak Chand College in Yavatmal in Maharashtra, Mr. Shekhawat said that increasing pressure on the land by galloping population had made the lives of farmers tough.

"With land holdings shrinking, it is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to make both ends meet. Farmers are heavily burdened by loans and fail to repay them. Under such circumstances, they are driven to despair and commit suicide," Mr. Shekhawat said.

Urging the youth to work towards the betterment of the rural poor, he said "nearly 26 per cent of our country's population is living under poverty conditions and 47 per cent are still illiterate. It is a challenge to give the right to live with dignity to each and every citizen of our country."

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