MIC: Intense battle for Youth, Wanita chief posts

In less than 24 hours, 560 delegates each from the MIC Youth and Wanita wings will go to the party polls to elect their respective national leaders to represent them for the next three-year term. Since nomination on Nov 8, two candidates vying for the post of Youth chief - current deputy chief V. Mugilan and secretary C. Sivarraajh have garnered grass-root support from several states, in what has largely been a peaceful and healthy campaign. Typical of campaign time, both candidates used social networking websites, including Facebook and Twitter, as a vehicle to promote their vision and mission through respective manifestos. Mugilan's manifesto themed 'Vote for Change' underlines 10 aspects focusing on education, socio-economic development and youth development within and outside the party. Stressing on the need for inclusive growth for youth development, Mugilan said: "The real challenge lies in creating, not only more job opportunities but also encouraging conducive laws which would facilitate entrepreneurship. "It is important to generate employment for the youth." According to statistics from the youth and sports ministry, there are 12.9 million youth in the country. Of the number, Indians make up about 663,700. "Young Indians are the best resource and they are in abundance. The best among them need to be tapped. "I promise to bring positive changes to lead the almost 400,000 strong MIC Youth members in the right direction," Mugilan told Bernama in an exclusive interview here today. Furthermore, he stressed that the youth should be encouraged to participate in national policy matters, adding that youth advisory councils should be set up to alleviate unemployment, crime, gangsterism and loan-related problems, among others. Mugilan's manifesto also underlines the setting up of a library for youth at the MIC national headquarters, insurance scheme for division youth leaders and their deputies, and delegates, as well. He said if he was elected Youth chief, he would allocate a minimum of RM1,000 for MIC youth divisions and also set up a young entrepreneur club. Meanwhile, Sivarraajh, with a similar manifesto, underlines 16 aspects to ensure the smooth running of the socio-economic empowerment of Indian youth in the country. The special officer to the Perak menteri besar said his manifesto, among others, comprised enhancing business entrepreneur status, participation in government positions and the implementation of the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for MIC Youth. "The agenda has been carefully studied and planned, and I will personally ensure that it is fully implemented to transform the youth leadership to become successful and internationally competitive," he said. Tomorrow's polls will also see another fight between national Wanita MIC secretary M. Vickneswari and Mohana Muniandy, an MIC central working committee (CWC) member for the Wanita chief post. Mohana is keen to set up a think-tank to draft a blueprint for the development of Indian women in the country. She said the think-tank, which would comprise women from corporate, government, business and political parties, would address pressing issues confronting Indian women to enable them to realise their full potential. Vickneswari, meanwhile, said with her 17-year experience in the party, she had the strength and calibre to empower Indian women from all socio-economic levels. "Its my responsibility to empower the next generation of young female leaders, and I take this commitment very seriously," she added. The polls will also see the Wanita and Youth wings elect two representatives each for the CWC, 12 national council members and 35 delegates to the MIC General Assembly scheduled on Nov 30, in Melaka.