‘Rural-urban exodus worrying’

A two-day national seminar on Women and Rural Development: Critical Issues,jointly organised by the College of Home Science of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Home Science Association of India (Punjab Branch) began here on Wednesday. Delegates from India and Pakistan are participating in the seminar.

Inaugurating the seminar,Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra called upon the PAU science fraternity to continue working for the welfare and uplift of rural people. “Without the growth and development of rural areas,the country cannot prosper and progress,” he said.

Voicing concern over the exodus of the rural population to urban areas,he emphasised on opening the floodgate of opportunities for rural families. “The increasing menace of drug addiction among the rural youth is a matter of serious concern,” said the minister.