During visit to Mysuru, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi credits country’s youth for driving growth and innovation
Hailing the youth’s contribution in driving the country’s progress and innovation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 1) said India’s emergence among the fastest-growing
Hailing the youth’s contribution in driving the country’s progress and innovation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 1) said India’s emergence among the fastest-growing economies of the world was on account of the strength of its youth. Addressing a public gathering at Ramakrishna Vidyashala after inaugurating Viveka Smaraka — the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre — Mr. Modi said the Swami regarded education of the youth as the strongest foundation for nation-building. While India was under colonial rule during Vivekananda’s lifetime and its youth were shackled by slavery, today’s young Indians were shaping the country’s future across diverse sectors, he said. “India’s youth have travelled a remarkable journey from that era to the present day,” Mr. Modi said, attributing the country’s emergence as the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem and the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones to their capabilities.
“Digital solutions developed in India are inspiring many countries across the world. Who is making this happen? It is India’s youth,” he noted. He credited young entrepreneurs even in small businesses with strengthening India’s digital economy. “Whether it is the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign or the Make in India initiative, their success is powered by India’s youth,” he remarked. He said the strength of the youth can become a nation’s strength only when they receive the right opportunities and are given the right direction. Stating that educational institutions played a crucial role in making this possible, Mr. Modi said the number of educational institutions in the country had grown over the past 12 years, adding more than 650 new universities, 14,000 new colleges, 4,000 new ITIs, nine new IIMs and seven new IITs.
He further said that India presently has around 1.4 lakh MBBS seats, with the number of medical colleges at 823. “The Education Policy is preparing India’s youth for the challenges of the 21st century,” he said. ‘Sports is important’ Emphasising on the importance of the youth remaining healthy, disciplined and self-confident, Mr. Modi said the countries that value sports witness rapid development of these qualities among their youth. “That is why sports are now regarded as an important pillar of nation-building. Initiatives such as Khelo India, the Youth Games, University Games, Para Games and Winter Games have provided young people across the country with opportunities to showcase their talent,” he said while pointing out that new talent is now being identified from villages as well as small towns.
The BriefWire