Youth empowerment bedrock of Viksit Bharat: PM

New Delhi, Aug 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that youth empowerment is the foundational bedrock of a Viksit Bharat.
Addressing the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi, Modi highlighted the profound emotional resonance of the ceremony. He reflected on the vibrant, dream-filled atmosphere of the campus. He recalled his previous virtual attendance during the COVID pandemic, expressing his deep personal satisfaction at being physically present among the graduating class. “Sharing this incredible experience with you on this campus today is very special for me too,” observed Modi.
Congratulating the students and their families on their monumental academic achievements, the Prime Minister emphasized that their degrees represent much more than academic success, serving as a mandate to contribute to the nation. He extended special praise to the medal recipients and celebrated the launch of new AI initiatives at the institute. “You are stepping out from here with a dream of doing a lot for the country,” affirmed Shri Modi.
Reflecting on the whirlwind journey of the students, the Prime Minister vividly recalled their transition from orientation day to convocation, acknowledging the diverse aspirations, from landing first salaries and building startups to pursuing further competitive exams, that fill their minds. “You must absolutely have a lot of satisfaction from this remarkable journey and the enthusiasm of starting a completely new chapter in life,” noted Modi.
Expressing deep gratitude toward the institutional support system, the Prime Minister urged the graduating class to recognize their peers, professors, mentors, and support staff as lifelong assets who effectively became their surrogate families. “You will profoundly remember and be thankful for all these individuals in every future success of yours,” asserted Modi.
Addressing the rapidly shifting geopolitical and strategic global landscape, the Prime Minister identified the relentless speed of technological advancement as the primary catalyst for these massive global transformations. He framed this era of rapid change as a dual landscape of unprecedented challenges and vast new opportunities. “Amidst all this rapid change, remember my words: the one who continuously learns is the one who will win,” affirmed Modi.
Redefining the true value of an IIT degree, the Prime Minister emphasized that the qualification goes far beyond a high CGPA or a lucrative placement offer, acting instead as a definitive global certification of advanced problem-solving capabilities. “Your degree tells the entire world that you know exactly how to solve highly difficult problems,” noted Modi.
Drawing a parallel between academic perseverance and lifelong resilience, the Prime Minister advised the youth to tackle massive life challenges by breaking them down into manageable components, much like solving complex laboratory simulations. “If difficulties inevitably come in life, entirely new opportunities will also emerge; you just have to remain completely alert,” observed Modi.
Contrasting structured academic environments with unpredictable real-world scenarios, the Prime Minister warned the graduates that unlike their university exams, life’s most critical challenges operate entirely ‘Out of Syllabus’. He stressed that true success lies not merely in answering pre-defined questions, but in identifying and solving the problems that society has complacently accepted. “The fundamental reason for the success of many alumni was that they boldly identified those crucial questions which the world had stopped considering as questions,” asserted Modi.
Reflecting on the historical burdens carried by past generations, the Prime Minister recalled how the singular goal of achieving independence defined an entire era marked by immense sacrifice and penance. He challenged the current generation to define their own legacy by aligning their career trajectories directly with the nation’s developmental goals over the next three decades. “The basis of every decision of yours should absolutely be what the benefit to the country will be and which national need will be fulfilled,” affirmed Modi.
Detailing the government’s aggressive push toward comprehensive self-reliance across economic, technological, and industrial sectors, the Prime Minister underscored that youth empowerment is the foundational bedrock of a Viksit Bharat. He celebrated the administration’s strategic policy decisions to democratize and open traditionally restricted sectors to young innovators. “The more empowered the youth of the country are, the more empowered the entire country will be,” noted Modi.
Highlighting the explosive growth of the Space Sector following strategic government reforms, the Prime Minister celebrated the monumental achievements of young engineers who are now actively designing and launching their own rockets, a feat previously restricted to a handful of nations. “Today, that same Space Sector has beautifully become a sky of new opportunities for thousands of our youths,” observed Modi.
Pointing to the rapid domestic advancement in semiconductor manufacturing, the Prime Minister dismissed past skepticism, proudly noting that initial production units are already operational and driving immense national confidence. “Somewhere a youth is proudly saying with full self-confidence: ‘First in my bloodline to make a chip in India’,” remarked Modi.
Showcasing the transformative impact of the Drone Sector, the Prime Minister detailed how young innovators are revolutionizing fields ranging from agriculture and medical delivery to national defense. “Today, highly motivated youths in this sector are actively creating incredible new possibilities,” asserted Modi.
Crediting the current generation for powering India’s Startup Revolution, the Prime Minister marveled at the massive economic momentum generated by unicorns, digital payments, and the FinTech boom, which have provided unprecedented entrepreneurial platforms for millions. “All these revolutions have given millions of youths of the country an incredible opportunity to do something completely new for the first time,” affirmed Modi.
Mapping out the frontiers of future technological dominance, the Prime Minister highlighted critical emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Centers, Critical Minerals, Deep Sea Exploration, Quantum Computing, and Energy Security. “Many such cutting-edge fields are eagerly waiting for your immense talent, your bold innovation, and your strong leadership,” noted Modi.
Emphasizing a massive national pivot toward advanced research, the Prime Minister outlined robust support mechanisms including the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship and the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, backed by an unprecedented funding target of up to one lakh crore rupees. “Today the country desperately needs new research, and our administrative focus is equally and firmly on research,” observed Modi.
Detailing initiatives to democratize academic resources, the Prime Minister highlighted the ‘One Nation One Subscription’ program, which ensures that prestigious global research journals are accessible even in the smallest cities without extra costs. He acknowledged the long journey ahead, placing his complete trust in the youth’s commitment to drive this research renaissance. “This monumental work regarding research can only happen through the unwavering commitment of you all,” asserted Modi.
Warning the graduates against the toxic distractions of the social media era, the Prime Minister urged them to completely avoid comparing their salaries, placements, or startup milestones with their peers. He counseled them to prioritize their mental and physical well-being while focusing strictly on self-improvement. ”Remember, life is absolutely not a leader-board; your real race is not with anyone else, it is with yourself,” affirmed Modi.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister extended his congratulations to the students, their parents, their teachers, and the entire institutional support network that guided them to this milestone. “May your future be incredibly bright, and may you continuously and boldly touch new heights,” remarked Modi.