Putin Calls on Young Russians to Work for the Glory of Their Country

[pampango]

Gifted young Russians should "most importantly" work for the glory of their country, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday at a new center for gifted students in the southern city of Sochi. Praising the benefits of studying with the best teachers and athletic coaches at the center, Putin said: "Sirius should become the key link in our national system of supporting talented, active kids."

But he also took the time to warn the students about the dangers of participating in political protests and demonstrations. "The lessons of unrest, revolutions, the civil war warn us about the deadliness for Russia of any schisms, and convince one that only the unity of the people and the public accord can lead to success, ensure the independence of the state, and help rebuff any powerful and treacherous enemy," Putin told the gathering.

Warnings against political protests have emerged as a recurrent theme in Putin's public appearances lately, reflecting the Kremlin's desire to avoid opposition demonstrations of the kind that toppled the Moscow-backed administration in neighboring Ukraine last year.

Putin's comments also reflect the government's concerns about highly educated young Russians leaving the country. At a speech at the Council for Science and Education this summer, Putin accused foreign-backed organizations of working to attract Russia's most talented young people to their countries through educational programs abroad, state news agency RIA Novosti reported at the time.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putin-calls-on-young-russians-to-work-for-the-glory-of-their-country/529246.html

[DetlefK]

1. Poll: About 20-25% of studied Russians would leave Russia if they could.

And this emigration-boom started when Putin was re-elected. Coincidence?