Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday urged young people to become ethical leaders dedicated to national service, saying true leadership is measured not by authority but by the ability to serve society with humility, integrity and compassion.
Addressing participants of the MP LEAD Fellowship, a two-month internship programme initiated by Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, he called on the fellows to place the nation above region, language and caste. Stressing India’s enduring unity, the Vice-President said, “Bharat was one, Bharat is one and Bharat will always remain one,” adding that the country’s shared civilisational heritage from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari has always been its greatest strength.
Recalling India’s journey from food shortages in the 1960s to becoming one of the world’s largest foodgrain exporters, Vice President Radhakrishnan said young people should draw inspiration from the struggles and achievements of previous generations. He described the fellowship as an ideal platform for students to gain first-hand exposure to governance, public policy and legislative processes, while building confidence and interacting with national leaders. Emphasising that opportunities must be matched by merit and continuous self-improvement, he encouraged the fellows to strive for excellence and contribute to nation-building.
V-P Radhakrishnan expressed confidence that many participants would go on to hold key positions in public life, administration and the judiciary, remarking that one among them could even become the Vice-President of India in the future. He also underlined the importance of constitutional values, saying democracy thrives when citizens fulfil their duties alongside their rights. Congratulating the 40 fellows selected from more than 5,000 applicants, he noted that 62 per cent of them are women, representing diverse regions of the country, and expressed hope that the MP LEAD Fellowship would nurture future leaders committed to building a developed and self-reliant India.
