The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (YLD) held on Jan 11-12, 2025 in a departure from the 25-year-old tradition of holding the National Youth Festival, embraced the call of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi given on Independence Day last year to engage 1 lakh youth in politics without political affiliations and provide them a national platform to make their ideas for Viksit Bharat.
The 3,000 dynamic and motivated youth who were selected to participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, through the Viksit Bharat Challenge, a meticulously crafted, merit-based multi-level selection process to identify and showcase the most motivated and dynamic young voices from across the nation, engaged in competitions, activities, and cultural and thematic presentations.
At Bharat Mandapam New Delhi, the venue of this event, Viksit Bharat Exhibition showcased and highlighted youth-focused initiatives from State and Central Ministries, offering interactive experiences in education, skill development, entrepreneurship, and culture. Further, selected youth representatives from the various States presented their ground breaking innovation projects.
One of highlights of the event was the spectacular “Colors of Viksit Bharat” cultural programme, a vibrant celebration that beautifully showcased India’s rich cultural heritage. It was also witnessed by the Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and celeb Cricketer Jonty Rhodes. “If you dare to try you can achieve everything you dream” said Jonty Rhodes while appreciating India’s cultural diversity.
This immersive event featured an awe-inspiring fusion of traditional performances, highlighting the diverse cultural tapestry of India. The show signified the essence of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” by emphasizing the country’s cultural diversity, unity, and progress. From folk dances to classical music, this cultural extravaganza mesmerized the audience, symbolizing the seamless integration of India’s historical legacy with its aspirations of becoming a Viksit Bharat.
The Prime Minister who joined the event on the occasion of National Youth Day (January 12), interacted with the participants YLD and joined in multiple activities designed to inspire, motivate, and empower the nation’s future leaders. Ten presentations representing the ten thematic areas pivotal to India’s development were made before the Prime Minister. These presentations reflect the innovative ideas and solutions proposed by young leaders to address some of India’s most pressing challenges.
In a unique setting, Prime Minister joined the young leaders for lunch, providing them an opportunity to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations directly to him. This personal interaction will bridge the gap between governance and youth aspirations, fostering a deeper sense of ownership and responsibility among the participants.
Prime Minister also released a compilation of best essays written by participants on the ten themes. These themes encompass diverse areas such as technology, sustainability, women empowerment, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Addressing the YLD participants, the Prime Minister announced that the ideas and suggestions from the Young Leaders Dialogue will now become part of national policies, guiding the country’s development. He urged the youth to take these ideas to every corner of the country, connecting other young people in every district, village, and neighborhood with the spirit of a developed India.
The Prime Minister e remarked that the entire nation is remembering and paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day, who had immense faith in the country’s youth. He added that Swami Vivekananda believed that his disciples would come from the younger generation, who would solve every problem like lions. He added that he had complete faith in Swamiji and his beliefs, like Swamiji trusted the youth. He further added that he trusted him completely especially about his vision of youth.The Prime Minister emphasized that if Swami Vivekananda were among us today, he would be filled with new confidence upon witnessing the awakened power and active efforts of the 21st-century youth.
“Achieving big goals is not solely the responsibility of government machinery but requires the collective effort of every citizen”, said Shri Modi and highlighted the importance of deliberation, direction, and ownership in achieving national objectives. The Prime Minister remarked that the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue exemplifies this process, led by the youth who participated in quizzes, essay competitions, and presentations. He lauded the youth for their ownership of the goal of a developed India, as reflected in the essay book launched and the ten presentations he reviewed. The Prime Minister noted that the youth’s solutions are grounded in reality and experience, showcasing their broad understanding of the challenges facing the nation. He commended the youth for their expansive thinking and active participation in discussions with experts, ministers, and policymakers.
Stressing on the government’s commitment to empowering today’s youth, Shri Modi highlighted that every week a new university was being established in India while every day a new ITI was being set up. Additionally, he added that every third day, an Atal Tinkering Lab was opened, and two new colleges were established daily. The Prime Minister noted that India now has 23 IITs, and in the past decade, the number of IIITs has increased from 9 to 25, and the number of IIMs from 13 to 21. He also mentioned the threefold increase in the number of AIIMS and the near doubling of medical colleges in the last ten years. The Prime Minister remarked that India’s educational institutions are showing excellent results in both quantity and quality, with the number of higher education institutes in the QS rankings rising from nine in 2014 to forty-six today. He stressed that the growing strength of India’s educational institutions is a significant foundation for a developed India.
“The goal of a developed India by 2047 requires daily targets and consistent efforts”, urged the Prime Minister. He expressed confidence that India will soon become the world’s third-largest economy. Over the past decade, Shri Modi said that 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and believes that the entire country will be poverty-free soon. He highlighted India’s target of generating 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by the end of this decade and achieving net-zero carbon emissions for the railway by 2030.
Highlighting the ambitious goal of hosting the Olympics in the next decade and emphasizing the nation’s dedication to achieving this, the Prime Minister remarked that India is making rapid strides as a space power, with plans to establish a space station by 2035. He noted the success of Chandrayaan and the ongoing preparations for Gaganyaan, with the ultimate aim of landing an Indian on the moon. He emphasized that achieving such goals will pave the way for a developed India by 2047.
Earlier during the inaugural session Union Minister of Youth Affairs Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, said this event is all about – “Of the Youth, By the Youth, and For the Youth.” He urged the young leaders present to commit themselves fully to the nation building, encouraging them to bring their passion, creativity, and vision to the forefront over the next two days. “This is your moment to step up,” he stated, “to actively engage, collaborate, and contribute towards the realization of a Viksit Bharat.
The event later continued with a captivating conversation between Palki Sharma and Anand Mahindra, where Mr. Mahindra defined AI as “Audacity and Integrity” – qualities essential for young leaders. He urged them to think big, uphold ethics, and view failure as a stepping stone. He also proposed a platform for connecting young leaders with mentors. Highlighting technology as a “key tool for upskilling,” he called for holistic decision-making and encouraged youth to “make manufacturing great again.”
After the plenary session, participants proceeded to their assigned locations for presentations and interactive sessions on ten identified themes. Mentors led the presentations, providing insights and context on their respective themes, while renowned domain area experts in those tracks offered their knowledge and expertise. The themes were:
- Empowering Youth For Viksit Bharat
This track had discussions on how to empower Yuva Shakti for fulfilling the vision of Viksit Bharat. Jury members, Sh. Ronnie Screwvala (Indian entrepreneur and Investor) and Sh. Anand Kumar(Super 30), led the session.
- Empowering Women and Enhancing Social Indicators
This track focused on the Prime Minister’s initiatives for empowering Nari Shakti and was led by the domain area experts like Smt. Raksha Khadse (Minister of State, Youth Affairs and Sports), Smt. Kalpana Saroj (Entrepreneur) and Smt. Chhavi Rajawat (Sarpanch, Soda, Rajasthan).
- Tech for Viksit Bharat
In a thought-provoking conversation with the domain area expert Shri. Pratyush Kumar, founder of Sarvam AI, the theme “Tech for Viksit Bharat” emerged as a cornerstone for India’s journey toward a developed nation.
- Advancing India as a Global Manufacturing Powerhouse
The event emphasized India’s vision to become a global manufacturing powerhouse, led by domain area experts like Dr Pawan Goenka,Chairperson, IN-SPACe and Shri Aniket Deb, Founder,Bizongo. Highlighting manufacturing as the cornerstone of a “Viksit Bharat,” they urged young leaders to transform into global ambassadors.
- Making India the Startup Capital of the World
The young leaders presented various ideas to make India – Startup capital of world to domain experts, Mr. Ritesh Agarwal, Co-Founder, OYO and Mr. Nitin Saluja, Co-Founder, Chaayos.
- Making India a Sporting and FIT Nation
This theme aims to achieve a Healthy and active India by 2047, and to become a global powerhouse in the field of sports with initiatives like Fit India movement, Khelo India Programme.The domain area experts, Shri Bhaichung Bhutia, Indian former Footballer and Shri Suhail Narain, Founder, Hudlelistened to the innovative ideas of the youth.
- Enhancing Productivity in Agriculture
The event highlighted sustainable farming and innovative solutions led by experts, Shri Ashish Mishra, founder of Krishi Network, and Dr. Sarita Ahlawat, founder & MD,Botlab Dynamics. It focused on transformative technologies to boost productivity and empower India’s agriculture sector.
- Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi
In thistheme, the panel, featuring Palki Sharma (Editor, First Post), Janhvi Singh (Spiritual Content Creator), and Romalo Ram Dogri (Folk Musician), discussed how the youth of India can strike a balance between progress and the preservation of cultural heritage while contributing to the nation’s development.
- Steering India Towards a Sustainable Future
The session focused on steering India toward a sustainable future, with insights from domain experts Mr. OP Choudhary, Finance Minister of Chhattisgarh, and Mr. Malhar Kalambe(National Creator Award Winner and Environmentalist).
- Building the Infrastructure for the Future
Infrastructure being the backbone towards the road of nation building. The domain expert Amitabh Kant (Former CEO of NITI AYOG) and Dr. S. Somnath (Chairman of ISRO) emphasized the vital role of infrastructure in achieving “Viksit Bharat”.
