**Executive Summary**
On National Youth Day, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the pivotal role of India's youth in nation-building and the journey towards a developed India (“Viksit Bharat”). He spoke at the National Conclave on "Viksit Bharat ka Sankalp aur Yuva", organised by Hansraj College at Vigyan Bhawan. The article emphasises the government's focus on youth empowerment and initiatives aimed at providing them with opportunities in various sectors, with the goal that young people are job creators.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Youth Empowerment and Nation-Building:**
* India's youth are actively shaping the country's future.
* Youth empowerment has shifted from rhetoric to policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
* Since 2014, youth aspirations, skills, and ideas are shaping national priorities.
* A new era has begun where young Indians are driving political participation, economic growth, and India's global presence.
* **Flagship Initiatives for Youth Development:**
* Programs such as Skill India and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are equipping youth to become job creators.
* Startup India has created a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation led by young Indians.
* National Education Policy has made education more practical, future-ready, and globally competitive.
* Initiatives like Khelo India are identifying sporting talent and providing global exposure.
* Digital India is strengthening connectivity and access to opportunities.
* **Swami Vivekananda's Influence:**
* Swami Vivekananda's ideals continue to inspire young Indians to pursue excellence with purpose.
* His belief in the strength within the individual and the call to "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached" are highlighted.
* **Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026:**
* Sonowal interacted with students from Assam participating in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026.
* He described them as confident, articulate, and reflective of India's emerging leadership class.
* **Government's Youth-First Approach:**
* The government's youth-first approach is unlocking opportunities across sectors, including India's growing maritime economy.
* The journey towards Viksit Bharat is a national mission that depends on the energy, ideas, and leadership of young citizens.
**Impact Analysis**
**Youth of India**
* **Impact:** Young people are now positioned as key drivers of India's political, economic, and social progress, and they should benefit from increased opportunities, skills training, and a supportive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in government initiatives, develop skills, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, and contribute to shaping India's future.
**Educational Institutions**
* **Impact:** Education is now more practical and globally competitive due to the National Education Policy, and is aligned with economic and technological advancements.
* **Action Required:** Adapt curricula to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global landscape, and encourage students to participate in government initiatives.
**Government (Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and related departments)**
* **Impact:** The Ministry will need to continue to implement and promote youth-focused policies and programs, with particular attention to maritime economy opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and implement programs that empower youth and align with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Key Entities Referenced
Viksit Bharat: A national mission focused on India's development.
Skill India: A flagship initiative aimed at equipping youth with skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: A program focused on skill development among youth.
National Education Policy: A policy focused on making education more practical and globally competitive.
Sarbananda Sonowal: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), emphasizing the role of youth in India's development.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
“From Campuses to Nation-Building, India’s
Youth Are Powering Viksit Bharat”: Sarbananda
Sonowal
प्रव तथ: 12 JAN 2026 8:02PM by PIB Delhi
India’s young generation is no longer waiting on the sidelines but is actively shaping the country’s
political, economic and social future, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW)
Sarbananda Sonowal underscored the central role of youth in the journey towards a developed India.
On the occasion of National Youth Day, Sonowal was speaking at the National Conclave on “Viksit Bharat
ka Sankalp aur Yuva”, organised by Hansraj College at Vigyan Bhawan here today. Sonowal said “the
confidence, innovation and ambition of young Indians reflect a decisive shift in how India is being built.”
Paying tribute to Swami Vivekananda, Sonowal said the ideas of the iconic thinker remain deeply relevant
for today’s youth. “Swami Vivekananda believed that all strength lies within the individual. His call to
‘Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached’ continues to inspire young Indians to pursue excellence
with purpose,” Sonowal said.
Highlighting India’s demographic advantage, the Union Minister said youth today form the largest
segment of the population and represent the country’s greatest strength. “The strength of India’s youth is
the strength of the nation itself. Empowering young people can change the direction of India’s future,”
Sonowal said.
Sonowal said that under the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, youth empowerment
has moved from rhetoric to policy. “Since 2014, youth have been placed at the centre of governance and
nation-building. For the first time, their aspirations, skills and ideas are shaping national priorities,” he
said.
Sonowal noted that while youth participation in nation-building remained limited for decades after
independence, a clear shift has taken place over the past decade. “A new era has begun where young
Indians are driving political participation, economic growth and India’s global presence,” he added.
Referring to flagship initiatives, Sonowal said programmes such as Skill India and Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana are equipping crores of youth not just to seek employment but to become job
creators. Startup India, he said, has created a robust ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation led by
young Indians.
The Union minister said the National Education Policy has made education more practical, future-ready
and globally competitive, enabling students to respond to rapidly changing economic and technological
realities. “Knowledge, technology and skills are the backbone of a modern society, and India is steadily
moving towards global leadership,” he said.Sonowal also highlighted initiatives such as Khelo India for identifying sporting talent from across the
country and providing global exposure, and Digital India for strengthening connectivity and access to
opportunities.
Earlier, last evening, Sonowal interacted with students from Assam participating in the Viksit Bharat
Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, describing them as confident, articulate and reflective of India’s emerging
leadership class. Sonowal said the government’s youth-first approach is unlocking opportunities across
sectors, including India’s growing maritime economy.
Inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, Sonowal said India’s youth are playing an active role in
shaping the country’s future. “The journey towards Viksit Bharat is a national mission, and its success
depends on the energy, ideas and leadership of our young citizens,” he said.
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