Tribal youths should give importance to Hindi, said Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju here on Tuesday.

Addressing the three-day leadership programme for 24 tribal youths hailing from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand at Eknathji Ranade Hall in Vivekanandar Kendra in Kanyakumari, Mr. Rijiju said that the youths should learn Hindi, for the citizens of the country should have high respect for the “national language”. This appeal would apply to every youth in the country, he added.

The Minister expressed concern over Indian students studying abroad giving less importance to Hindi. Unity in diversity was India’s speciality, and hence every one should strive for the development of the nation, he stressed.

Mr. Rijiju, who arrived at Kanyakumari in the morning, visited Eknathji Ranade Memorial and Vivekanandar Rock, and returned in the afternoon.

Vivekananda Kendra sources told The Hindu that the leadership training programme and other programmes such as those on yoga were continuously held across the country to mark the birth centenary of Ekanathji Ranade.

Dr. Jerom Begi, Director of Higher Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, was the coordinator for the three-day programme, the sources said.

C. Parameswaran, president, Vivekananda Kendra, presided over the programme.