The dawn of New Year 2024 brings with it the promise of fresh beginnings, renewed hopes, and opportunities for self-improvement and help to others. More specifically for the students, youth, and children, the year 2024 offers a wider canvas on which they can paint the aspirations of a brighter future and shining career. It is time to explore the resolutions that can serve as a compass for building the finest of personal and national character, enhancing studies, growing physical and mental strength, and setting positive goals for a glorious future. 

    Through these collective efforts, advanced and hi-tech scientific studies, you the young minds can make a resolution to proactively contribute, in whatever field you choose, towards making the motherland a modern, forward looking and peacefully progressive place on the earth globe. It is only you who play a pivotal role in shaping a prosperous and harmonious future, not only for yourself but also for the vibrant nation you are a part of.
    May I tell you, on this New Year, what areas should you like to build in yourself or improve further? Let’s divide it into the following: 
Personal Character
Your New Year may begin with a resolution for building a strong personal character. Firstly, you can resolve to uphold the values of honesty, punctuality, integrity, respect and hard work. This must include every aspect of your life, be it academic goals, personal relationships, or family interactions. These values are the bedrock of a strong character, which also contribute to the overall wellbeing of a society. Offering Salat (namaz) five times a day, regularly in the mosque, makes you punctual in all matters of life. Recite the Holy Quran, preferably after Fajr prayers. Those who regularly do tilawat (recitation from the Holy Quran), are more intelligent than others. Likewise, fasting in Ramadan teaches you how to take care of others.

Offering Salat (namaz) five times a day, regularly in the mosque, makes you punctual in all matters of life. Recite the Holy Quran, preferably after Fajr prayers. Those who regularly do tilawat (recitation from Holy Quran), are more intelligent than others.     

Secondly, your personal character must include others to influence and help siblings, friends or class fellows so that they bring improvement in their character as well. So, you can make a resolution to cultivate empathy and compassion for others. Understanding, sharing and participating in the joys of cousins, friends and fellows foster a sense of togetherness and collective responsibility. Your goodwill gestures for others, especially neighbours and the poor and needy people is a step in the right direction. 
    Thirdly, your personal character must benefit Pakistan and its citizens as a whole. Your personal character must be so strong that you accommodate diversities and differences, embrace cultural or ethnic identities, and forge unity, tolerance and coherence amongst themselves. 
    Fourthly, as a young and energetic member of society, your personal character must be so strong that you have the courage to take ownership of your actions and decisions. This means you are able to take responsibility and offer self-accountability.
    For building personal character, the Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s personality deserves to be made a role model. The Father of the Nation was certainly a man who was the embodiment of all the above characteristics of personal character. 
Studies and Learning
New Year must start with also a resolution to prioritize your academic excellence by dedicating time to studies, engaging actively in class, and seeking additional knowledge beyond the curriculum. Sound knowledge obviously helps in one’s intellectual growth. And learning is a continuous process. It should not be confined to mere formal education. 
    You must compulsorily have an up-to-date general knowledge, staying informed about all kinds of local, national and international developments, especially relating to science and technological advancements, which are always helpful in honing critical thinking skills. Secondly, your studies must help you in thinking creatively and innovatively. Remember, creativity and innovation doesn’t come without exploring unconventional paths. You need to know the significance of digital literacy in this modern age. So, make a resolution to enhance your technological skills, and stay informed about digital advancements.

Our fellow Kashmiri children and youth – both boys and girls – are our special focus of attention. Our hearts beat with their hearts; they are in deep trouble, under the subjugation of repressive Indian regime. 

    In pursuit of knowledge, for example, Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal’s personality merits the standard of following him for acquiring excellence. 
Physical and Mental Growth
Friends! You are aware that physical health is of the top most importance, without which building personal character and acquiring useful knowledge is almost useless. If your physical health is strong, your mental health and intellectual growth is obviously intact. So, make a resolution on this New Year that you prioritize physical health through regular exercise, a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. Topmost is noteworthy to strike a balance between screen time and outdoor activities; connect with nature, and engage in activities that boost your mental and physical health. 
Being happy, and making others happy greatly helps in both physical and mental wellbeing. It also creates a strong support system within family, friends and class fellows, which is fundamental to personal growth and successes. This is a key to recognizing your role as an active citizen, and contributing to the betterment of society.
    Those who take care of their muscles, exercise daily and feel no stress live life longer than those who do not mentally and physically engage themselves in healthy activities. 
National Responsibility
Combining all three characteristics above empowers you to get ready for playing the most important role of your life, which is called your national responsibility. Whether or not you keep your surroundings and home, your study and bedroom clean? Are you aware of the importance of environmental cleanliness? It is our national responsibility to play our role in reducing personal carbon footprint, supporting eco-friendly practices, and contributing to initiatives that address climate change and environmental conservation. It is our national responsibility to work for social justice and stand up for equality and inclusivity. 
    So, while making the New Year resolution, we need to keep in mind the aspirations of the nation. Our fellow Kashmiri children and youth – both boys and girls – are our special focus of attention. Our hearts beat with their hearts; they are in deep trouble, under the subjugation of repressive Indian regime. 
    While entering year 2024, the children of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir specially need to be included in New Year’s resolution that we shall never forget extending our fullest moral support to them. They are part of us. Feeling their pain and agony of sufferings at the hands of Indian security forces, we need to raise our voice on every international forum.  
The Final Word
The New Year 2024 presents a canvas of endless possibilities for the students, youth, and children. By embracing resolutions that focus on building the finest of personal character, enhancing studies, growing physical and mental strength, and setting positive goals for the future, the young minds of Pakistan can become the architects of a prosperous and harmonious nation. As individuals, let us commit to these resolutions, in order to foster a culture of responsibility, innovation, and compassion. 
    The journey towards personal growth and nation-building is a shared one, and by uniting in these efforts, the vibrant people of the Pakistani nation can collectively shape a future that is characterized by progress, inclusivity, and a strong sense of national identity.