Inimical forces trying to stunt country's growth: PM

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today warned that inimical forces "both inside and outside India" were trying to stunt the country's growth, and called for defeating the "twin threats" of terrorism and communalism.

"Inimical forces, both inside and outside India, are trying to stunt growth and the well-being of the country. The twin threats of terrorism and communalism must be defeated," Singh told NCC cadets at their prime minister's rally here.

"In such circumstances, the responsibility of youth organisations like NCC, that inspires its cadets to serve the country, increase manifold," he said after reviewing the NCC cadets' parade.

The prime minister said, though the 13-lakh-cadet-strong NCC was a large organisation, it comprised just about 4% of the eligible youth in the country.

"I wish and urge you to increase this number, so that many more eligible youth can benefit from the NCC's activities," he said.

Applauding the "disciplined and smart" turnout of the NCC cadets at the parade, Singh congratulated them on their achievements in activities like mountaineering and sports at the global level.