PM Modi in Mysuru: Youth Are Driving India's Growth and Innovation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India's rise among the world's fastest-growing economies is driven by the strength and capabilities of its youth. Speaking at a public gathering at Ramakrishna Vidyashala in Mysuru, he inaugurated the Viveka Smaraka, a cultural youth centre dedicated to Swami Vivekananda.
Modi noted that while India was under colonial rule during Vivekananda's lifetime, today's young Indians are shaping the country's future across diverse sectors. He described the journey of India's youth from that era to the present day as remarkable.
The Prime Minister pointed to India's position as the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem and the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones as evidence of youth-led achievements. He also said digital solutions developed in India are now inspiring many countries, and credited young entrepreneurs in small businesses with strengthening the country's digital economy.
Referring to initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, Modi said their success is powered by the youth. He stressed that the strength of the youth becomes a nation's strength only when they receive the right opportunities and proper direction.
Emphasising the role of educational institutions, Modi said the number of such institutions has grown over the past 12 years. He cited the addition of more than 650 universities, 14,000 colleges, 4,000 ITIs, nine IIMs, and seven IITs. He also mentioned that India now has around 1.4 lakh MBBS seats and 823 medical colleges. The National Education Policy, he said, is preparing the youth for the challenges of the 21st century.
On sports, Modi said countries that value sports see rapid development of qualities like health, discipline, and self-confidence among the young. He described sports as an important pillar of nation-building and highlighted initiatives such as Khelo India, the Youth Games, University Games, Para Games, and Winter Games. He noted that new talent is now being identified from villages and small towns.
Earlier in his speech, Modi referred to Mysuru as the centre of "India's timeless cultural consciousness." He congratulated the city's citizens for its frequent ranking among India's cleanest cities and called for strengthening the commitment to cleanliness in the years ahead.
