Trade agreements opening up new opportunities for youth: PM

New Delhi, Jan 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday addressed the 18th Rozgar Mela via Video conferencing.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi remarked that the year 2026 has begun by bringing new happiness into people’s lives and at the same time connecting citizens with their constitutional duties. He highlighted that this period coincides with the grand festival of the Republic.
Modi recalled that on 23rd January, the nation celebrated Parakram Diwas on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and tomorrow, 25th January, will mark National Voters’ Day, followed by Republic Day. The Prime Minister underlined that today is also special, as on this very day the Constitution adopted ‘Jana Gana Mana’ as the National Anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’ as the National Song. He emphasized that on this significant day, more than sixty-one thousand young people are beginning a new chapter in their lives by receiving appointment letters for government services.
Modi described these appointment letters as an invitation to nation building and a pledge to accelerate the creation of a developed India. He noted that many of the youth will strengthen national security, empower the education and healthcare ecosystem, reinforce financial services and energy security, and play a vital role in the growth of public sector enterprises. The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the young people.
Emphasising that connecting youth with skills and providing them employment and self-employment opportunities has been the priority of the government, i Modi remarked that to bring government recruitments into mission mode, the Rozgar Mela was launched, which over the years has become an institution. Through this initiative, lakhs of young people have received appointment letters in various government departments. Extending this mission further, Modi highlighted that today the Rozgar Mela is being organized at more than forty locations across the country, and he specially congratulated the youth present at all these venues.
“India today is among the youngest nations in the world, and the government is consistently striving to create new opportunities for the youth both domestically and globally”, underlined the Prime Minister. He noted that the Government of India is entering into trade and mobility agreements with numerous countries, which are opening countless new opportunities for young Indians.
Modi pointed out that in recent times, India has made unprecedented investments in modern infrastructure, leading to increased employment across construction-related sectors. He observed that India’s startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with nearly two lakh registered startups employing over twenty-one lakh youth. He further remarked that Digital India has expanded a new economy, with India emerging as a global hub in animation, digital media, and several other sectors. The Prime Minister highlighted that India’s creator economy is growing at a fast pace, offering new opportunities to the youth.
Stressing that the growing global trust in India is also creating fresh possibilities for young people, Modi underscored that India is the only major economy in the world that has doubled its GDP in a decade, and today more than a hundred countries are investing in India through FDI. He noted that compared to the decade before 2014, India has received more than two-and-a-half times higher FDI, and greater foreign investment means more employment opportunities for the youth of India.
The Prime Minister highlighted that India is emerging as a major manufacturing power, with unprecedented growth in production and exports across sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, defence, and automobiles. Modi noted that since 2014, India’s electronics manufacturing has grown six-fold, now exceeding Rs 11 lakh crore, while electronics exports have crossed Rs 4 lakh crore. He remarked that the auto industry has become one of the fastest-growing sectors, with two-wheeler sales surpassing two crore units in 2025, reflecting increased purchasing power among citizens aided by reduced income tax and GST. He emphasized that these examples demonstrate the large-scale creation of employment in the country.
Pointing out that in this very event, more than 8,000 daughters have received appointment letters, Modi said over the past 11 years, women’s participation in the workforce has nearly doubled. He underlined that schemes like Mudra and Startup India have greatly benefited women, with female self-employment rising by about 15 percent. Prime Minister observed that a significant number of women today are directors and founders in startups and MSMEs, while many lead cooperative sectors and self-help groups in villages.
“Today, the nation has embarked on the Reform Express, aimed at making both life and business easier”, emphasised the PM. He added that Next-generation reforms in GST have benefitted youth entrepreneurs and MSMEs, while historic labour reforms have strengthened social security for workers and employees, benefiting businesses as well. Modi stressed that the new labour codes have expanded and empowered the scope of social security.
The Prime Minister urged the newly appointed youth to reflect on their past interactions with government offices and processes, recall the difficulties they faced, and resolve not to let such hardships affect citizens during their own tenure. He emphasized that as part of the government, they must undertake small reforms at their level to maximize public welfare. He further remarked that apart from the policy reforms, ease of living and ease of doing business is strengthened by honesty of the government employees. Modi reminded them that in this era of rapidly changing technology, the nation’s needs and priorities are also evolving quickly, and they must continuously upgrade themselves. He encouraged them to make full use of platforms like iGOT Karmayogi, which has already empowered around 1.5 crore government employees. Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister urged the youth to work with the spirit of “Nagrik Devo Bhava” and extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes once again.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh was present among other dignitaries at the event. (PIB)