We remember Swami Vivekananda and celebrate National Youth Day on 12 January. This year Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government did something quite different. A national youth dialogue was held during which young Indians from all over the country got an opportunity to interact with the PM.
In my last column, I mentioned that I would write about Viksit Bharat. So, I will expand on that here.
Over the last 10 years, India has deeply transformed. It was pulled back from the precipice of the disaster of 2014 and decades of a slow, dysfunctional economy where the rich and well-connected had access to opportunities, forcing most young people to search for their future in lands far away from home. Today, the country is looking at its future with optimism and in many ways, it is a reimagined future. In 2014, PM Modi came to power with a mandate to transform the nation, which he has. Today, he has placed the national goal of propelling India into the top three economies and a developed nation i.e. Viksit Bharat 2047.
Modi is not just a third-term elected leader of the most populous country in the world, he also represents the hopes and aspirations of the single largest group of young citizens of any country anywhere in the world.
Some in India dismiss Modi’s Viksit Bharat goal as just another “Shining India” slogan. But they fail to understand that Viksit Bharat is much more than an election slogan – it is a call to action and a mission for the youth of our country. It seeks to inspire a national resolve to achieve the status of a developed nation with hard work, ambition and enthusiasm.
Almost every generation since Independence has been fettered and restricted by India’s “system”. But today’s youth are presented with unprecedented opportunities, combined with their fresh perspectives, boundless energy, and innovative thinking. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are certainly the luckiest generations in India’s post-Independence history. The goal of being citizens and leaders in a developed India is within their grasp.
However, achieving that goal is not going to be automatic or easy. The term ‘Greatest Generation’ was first used to describe the young Americans who served in World War II. They returned to the US to contribute and shape the greatest phase of growth and development in the country ever. They had not just saved the world from Nazi socialism—the culture of hard work, grit, and determination learned in battle contributed to building the greatest nation in the world. They shaped what is today known as the American way of life.
Enthusiasm with purpose
Born into a world of rapid technological advancement, today’s young Indians possess an intuitive understanding of digital technologies and aspirational models that earlier generations struggled with. This natural affinity for technology positions them uniquely to succeed in a world that is increasingly tech and innovation-driven. Youth entrepreneurship is revolutionising economic landscapes worldwide. Young entrepreneurs are:
* Creating innovative startups that address local and global challenges
* Developing new business models based on sharing and circular economies
* Generating employment opportunities for their peers
* Driving the growth of sustainable and socially responsible businesses
From an economic model that depended solely on a few conglomerates and the public sector, the Indian economy is increasingly being game-changed by the energy and economic value addition of young Indians. Their fresh approaches to business and economic development are helping create more dynamic and resilient economies. Young Indians are ambitious – this ambition combined with the hard work that PM Narendra Modi espouses can make this generation India’s greatest generation.
Also read: UPI, unicorns, AI will power India’s digital economy. Focus on them for Viksit Bharat
Politics and governance
Young Indians have been traditionally turned off by politics – and most of what it represented. Corruption, dividing and exploiting people, no value for hard work or ideals, etc. A decade ago, I remember my daughter made me promise when I went to her school day to not tell anyone that I was in politics.
Political culture is slowly changing. The recently passed 33 per cent reservation has given space to young Indian girls to become women leaders of tomorrow. Politics is slowly creating space for those who are from professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds. Young Indians are finding new ways to engage with and influence governance as they did with the Prime Minister on 12 January.
Their participation helps ensure that political systems remain responsive to the needs and aspirations of a developed India.
On the path to Viksit Bharat, in addition to economy and governance, young Indians can and must shape the future by:
Stewardship of culture, environment and sustainable development
Young Indians are emerging as passionate advocates for their history and culture. Environment and sustainable development.
Reshaping education and skills development
The youth is actively transforming educational paradigms to better serve future skill requirements. They recognise that traditional education systems must evolve to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Social justice and inclusive development
Young Indians are today showing unprecedented awareness of social justice issues and a commitment to building a more inclusive India. Their advocacy for social justice helps ensure that the future Viksit Bharat will benefit all members of our society, not just the elite.
Building bridges across generations
The youth will build the future, even as they respect the past and their traditions. ‘Vikas bhi, Viraasat bhi’ is a slogan that young Indians (unlike developed country youth) can represent.
The future of India is bright. But it depends on our ability to harness the potential of all our young Indians and launch them on this mission of nation-building. They bring not just energy and innovation, but also a unique perspective that is essential for addressing contemporary challenges. By empowering youth and creating spaces for their meaningful participation, India will invest in our future success and sustainability. The challenge for all of us is not just to prepare the youth for the future, but to prepare ourselves for the transformative power of youth leadership. If we do that and when we do that, the future will be bright, future will be India.
The future of India will shape the future of India.
The author is a former Union minister and tech entrepreneur. Views are personal
Too many lies in one article. Was this supposed to be a comedy article or a sarcastic one ? So earlier, the rich and well-connected had access to opportunities but not now, is it ? Earlier, no previous PM was famous for being a hardworking employee of xyz industrialist. Earlier, forcing most young people to search for their future in lands far away from home, is it ? His own MEA will inform him that people renouncing Indian citizenship has doubled since 2014. Those are the blatant lies in just the first paragraph of this steaming pile of garbage. Any respectable news outlet should not allow these kind of garbage articles.
ROFL
I think the definition of a developed country should have to be changed to accommodate India. Developed countries have world-class roads, but we have third-rate roads and will remain so. So, the requirements should be changed accordingly so that India becomes a developed country even with third-rate roads.