Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday urged young people to become torchbearers of Viksit Bharat 2047, saying efforts were underway under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to develop one lakh young leaders across the country.
Addressing the Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvaad at S. M. Jadeja Arts and Commerce College in Kutiyana, Gujarat’s Porbandar district, Mandaviya emphasised youth leadership, civic responsibility and collective action in building a developed and drug-free India.
Mandaviya, who is also the MP from Porbandar, said achieving a developed and self-reliant nation by the centenary of Independence required the commitment of all citizens.
He urged young people to embrace the Prime Minister’s “Panch Pran”, or five pledges: working towards a developed India, shedding the colonial mindset, taking pride in Indian heritage, strengthening unity and fulfilling civic duties.
The minister encouraged students to remain informed about national and global developments and cultivate character, discipline, service, dedication, respect for elders, self-reliance and hard work.
Nation-building did not require holding a position of authority, he said. Students, teachers, employees and other citizens could contribute by performing their duties sincerely and placing national interest first.
Highlighting the MY Bharat portal, Mandaviya said it offered opportunities for participation, career guidance and leadership development.
He also referred to visits to border villages and interactions with personnel serving in challenging locations, including the Siachen Glacier, as opportunities to foster courage, responsibility, patriotism and national service.
On social media, the minister urged young people to exercise caution while consuming and sharing information. He stressed the need to avoid rumours, rely on credible news sources and remain alert to misinformation and attempts to undermine national unity and stability.
Mandaviya also called for active youth participation in the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, saying India’s development ambitions depended on a healthy and responsible younger generation.
Urging participants to adopt the principle of “Nation First”, he called for collective efforts to prevent substance abuse and achieve a developed India by 2047, guided by the resolve, “We Will Do It.”
