National Youth Day will be observed across the country today in a befitting manner, reports BSS. This year's theme of the day is "Juboder Jagaran, Bangladesher Unnyayan" (Awakening of Youths, Development of Bangladesh). Government and non-government organisations have taken elaborate programmes to mark the day.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

They greeted the youth community on the occasion and wished all programmes of the day a success.

On the occasion of the day, Youth and Sports Ministry yesterday brought out a youth-procession from the Central Shaheed Minar aimed at creating awareness among the youths. Parading main streets of the city, the procession ended coming in front of the National Press Club.  State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr Shri Biren Sikder, Deputy Minister Arif Khan Joy, Secretary of the Ministry Md. Ashadul Islam and Director General of Youth Development Department Anwarul Karim joined the procession, among others.

In a message marking the day, President Abdul Hamid said the youths are the main component of the country's development and progress.

"They (youths) are courageous, dynamic, promising and creative. Their innovative capacity, freshness, courage, sincerity and skill play a vital role in the development of the country and the nation," he said.

The President recalled the important role of the youth force in the language movement, the War of Independence in 1971 and other movements and hoped that the youth force would utilize their talents and creativity for the progress of the country.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the youth, who constitutes one-third of the country's total population, is the driving force of the nation, valuable asset of the country and the symbol of dream and potentiality of the people.