New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta Saturday said youth must not limit themselves to social media and instead use their talent for nation-building while also cautioning them against the influence of “urban Naxals”.“There is a section called urban Naxals, you need to be careful of them. Because of them, India has to fight a 2.5 front war, two fronts outside the country and a half front within the country involving those who insult the country and its armed forces,” Gupta said.Speaking at Delhi govt’s celebration of the 80th Independence Day at Chhatrasal Stadium, CM said, “I want to say to my young friends: Do not limit your strength to social media. Use your ideas for startups and your creativity for innovation. Turn your questions into research, use your sensitivity for service and channel your talent towards nation-building.”Gupta said her govt was working to make Delhi the country’s growth engine and build a city where people were free to dream and had opportunities to fulfil those dreams. Health, education, infrastructure, environment and transport were being developed as strong foundations for the city’s growth, she said.More than 4,500 electric buses had been deployed in Delhi, with a target of introducing 12,000, CM said. The number of EV charging points, currently 9,000, will be increased to 32,000, while three newly approved metro corridors will add another 47km to the existing network, she added.Gupta said Delhi would be developed as a major centre for spiritual, medical, heritage, cultural and food tourism while preserving its heritage and identity. Delhi’s responsibility as the national capital is linked to the prestige of the entire nation, she emphasised.On women’s welfare, CM said more than 18 lakh Pink Cards, meant for free travel on public buses, had been issued. Under the proposed Durga Yojana, permits for electric autos will be given to 1,100 women and transgenders, while 7.3 lakh women have already registered under Delhi Lakshmi Yojana in the first two weeks.Govt has also decided to plant 70 lakh trees and saplings, with over 63 lakh already planted, Gupta said. Seventy-five acres of land has been reclaimed from garbage mountains, while Okhla and Bhalswa landfills are in their final days, she claimed, adding rejuvenating the Yamuna is a top policy priority.Gupta said 37 sewage treatment plants were operational and work had begun on another 27. Govt is also working with MCD and National Dairy Development Board on compressed biogas plants with a total capacity of 600TPD.Gupta also said Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana had covered 8.9 lakh beneficiaries and 417 Ayushman Jan Arogya Mandirs were started. Five new hospital blocks were completed, while Health Management Information System was implemented in 38 govt hospitals. While creating around 4,500 posts, 1,194 medical personnel were appointed.Ten new schools, started in the past year, provided around 9,000 additional seats. Seventy-five schools were equipped as CM Shri Schools, while 4,000 smart classrooms were prepared and more than 1,200 modern computer labs set up. More than 6,000 teachers were appointed, CM said.
