New Delhi [India], January 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the capability of India’s youth will become the capability of the nation and their success will take the country to new heights, reiterating that he has always trusted the younger generation—both as Gujarat Chief Minister and as Prime Minister.
Addressing the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, PM Modi highlighted his government’s sustained focus on empowering youth and fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem. Recalling the contributions of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, he noted that January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day, and that the Dialogue—drawing inspiration from Vivekananda’s life and teachings—has grown into a significant national platform where young people actively engage in shaping the nation’s direction.
“The journey to 2047, when we complete 100 years of independence, is crucial for India and will be the most important period of your lives as well. This is a golden opportunity for you. Your capability will become India’s capability, and your success will take India’s success to new heights,” the Prime Minister said.
Reflecting on his political journey, PM Modi said that when he first took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister, many of the participants may not even have been born, and when he assumed office as Prime Minister in 2014, most were children. “But as CM and PM, I have always trusted the young generation. Your capability, talent and energy give me energy too,” he added.
Highlighting reforms since 2014, the Prime Minister said several sectors were opened to private participation, yielding encouraging results. He noted that while startup culture emerged globally decades ago, it received little attention in India prior to 2014, with fewer than 500 startups nationwide and limited opportunities for youth due to excessive government intervention. “Recognising the talent of our young people, we adopted a new approach and introduced new schemes that accelerated the startup revolution in India,” he said.
Earlier, PM Modi visited an exhibition showcasing youth-led initiatives and actionable ideas.
Now in its second edition, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is a national platform for structured engagement between India’s youth and national leadership. It aligns with the Prime Minister’s Independence Day call to engage one lakh youth in politics without political affiliations and provide them a national platform to help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Held from January 9 to 12, 2026, the Dialogue witnessed participation from over 50 lakh youth across the country at various levels. National-level participants were selected through a rigorous, merit-based three-stage process comprising a nationwide digital quiz, an essay challenge, and state-level vision presentations. The second edition introduced new components such as Design for Bharat, Tech for Viksit Bharat – Hack for a Social Cause, expanded thematic engagements, and international participation for the first time.
The final day of the Dialogue, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, began with great enthusiasm. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, addressed the gathering, congratulating participants selected from among nearly 50 lakh youth and noting that they were sent by their respective Chief Ministers and Governors—reflecting the confidence of the States and the nation.
Emphasising that the Dialogue does not end with the event, Mandaviya said the journey to translating the vision of Viksit Bharat into reality begins now. He urged young leaders to remain engaged through the “MY Bharat” platform and stay connected with District Youth Officers after returning to their states. (ANI)
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