New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS): FICCIs Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) has joined hands with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to encourage the countrys youth to be part of the socio-economic development of the nation by creating a youth movement against smuggling and counterfeiting.

In this endeavour, FICCI CASCADE in association with the Ministry is organising a painting competition on the theme "Youth for Socio-Economic Development - Paving the Way for India's Amrit Kaal".

With the objective to generate awareness on the adverse impacts of smuggling and counterfeiting, especially among school children who are the consumers of tomorrow, this competition is being organised as a run-up to the World Consumer Rights Day celebrations by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

This day, which is celebrated world over on March 15, stands in solidarity with the international consumer movement, demanding consumer rights to be respected and protected.

The inter-school painting competition is open for students from Class IX to XII from schools across the country. The top three entries will receive a certificate of recognition, along with cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000, respectively.

The participants can send their work at cascade@ficci.com by March 2. The winners will be awarded during the World Consumer Rights Day celebrations organised by the Ministry.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, said, "Our future generations are the hope for real change, empowering and strengthening them to act for national development will help in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.

"World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year by our ministry to protect the rights of consumers and to ensure that the consumers are not subjected to market abuse or social injustice that may undermine their rights."

According to a 2019 FICCI CASCADE study, large scale smuggling in only five Indian industries resulted in a loss of Rs 1,17,253 crore to the economy. It also led to 16.36 lakh job losses.

Currently, India is the fastest-growing economy and is projected to be the world's third largest economy by 2035. At this stage, it is imperative to put an end to smuggling and counterfeiting, which have the potential to derail the country's growth momentum.

Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE, said, "The youth of India are the country's future. As India marks 75 years of its Independence and enters into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long Lead up to India@100, the youth will play a pivotal role in nation building and advocating socially responsible behaviour towards the country's development."

FICCI CASCADE is a dedicated forum on the agenda of combating smuggling and counterfeiting. Over the years, FICCI CASCADE is working on creating awareness on tackling this problem which is a serious threat to public health and safety. Along with policy makers, industry, enforcement officials and media, CASCADE has been working closely with the country's youth in its fight to address this issue through various inter-school and inter-college competitions and programmes.

In a global first, FICCI CASCADE also launched the Anti-Smuggling Day on February 11 this year to raise greater consciousness and create a global response in addressing this menace.