Outdoor Activities, Community Programmes Can Reduce Social Issues Among Students - Saraswathy

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Outdoor activities and community-based programmes play a vital role in shaping discipline and reducing social issues among students, said Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy.

She said such initiatives not only allow young people to socialise and understand the wider world around them, but also nurture a stronger sense of belonging and responsibility towards the nation.

“Apart from education in schools and the steps taken by schools, activities outside the classroom are also very important so that young people are exposed to knowledge and experience, as well as focus on positive things.

“The Ministry of Unity also has many programmes at the National Archives and museums throughout the country, where they can come and experience the stories of the nation’s history and struggle. Through these initiatives, we hope to nurture a stronger sense of identity and help citizens become more meaningful and contributing members of society,” she told reporters here today.

Saraswathy was met after attending the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) certificate presentation ceremony for Raaji Silk Palace as the country’s ‘Most Indian Ethnic Wear Retail Chain’ with 18 outlets.

The certificate was presented by MBOR representative V. Menaga to Raaji Silk Palace founder Datuk L. Gandesan.

Saraswathy, who also presented Deepavali contributions from Raaji Silk Palace to several underprivileged recipients, expressed hope that more business entities would come forward to support B40 communities during festive seasons.

The country has recently been rocked by several tragic incidents in schools, including the fatal stabbing of a Form Four girl by a 14-year-old schoolmate in Selangor, and a gang rape case involving four Form Five boys and a Form Three girl in Melaka.

Meanwhile, Gandesan said the textile chain had contributed around 1,500 sets of Deepavali clothing as part of its annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

“This is also part of our gratitude to Malaysians for this remarkable achievement since we opened our first branch in 1997. We hope to build our own textile factory in the future, so that we can proudly produce and sell clothes bearing the ‘Made in Malaysia’ label,” he said.

-- BERNAMA