THE Penang State Hindu Youth Council, led by acting chairman Yuvarajan Puballan, aims to engage youths in non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
During a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Yuvarajan expressed the council’s intent to establish Junior Hindu Youth Organisations for 14 to 16-year-olds.
“We want to teach the young people from the school level itself on the whereabouts of involvement with the NGOs, community work, and others.
“With the recent announcement by the Youth and Sports Ministry lowering the youth age limit to 30, and setting the age limit for youth society office bearers to 18 to 30 years old, recruiting members has become even more challenging.
“The 30-year age limit for youth in the country will come into effect on Jan 1, 2026, and the current youth age limit is 40.
“So, we want to work now towards bringing in more youths to our organisation,” Yuvarajan added.
Yuvarajan, who is also the deputy chairman of the Penang State Hindu Youth Council, said there were 28 Hindu Youth Organisation (HYO) branches with over 1,000 members in Penang.
Chow, supportive of youth involvement in NGOs, was introduced to the council and invited to its 65th-anniversary Gala Dinner.
Others who were present were Penang State Hindu Youth Council vice-chairman Poigai Veeran and committee members, Puvaneshwaraan Muniandy and Pojja Asogan.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siew Chia En