Shillong, December 11: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ via video conferencing today. During the program, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Vice Chancellors of Universities, Heads of Institutes and faculty members in workshops organized at Raj Bhawans across the country to mark the beginning of this initiative.
In Meghalaya, Raj Bhavan Shillong organised an elaborate programme where arrangements were made for live screening of the PM’s address. A workshop was also organised as part of the programme on the theme “Empowered Indian” and “Thriving and Sustainable Economy”.
Meghalaya Governor and Chief Minister attended the programme and the workshop witnessed parallel sessions for Heads of Higher Educational Institutions, Faculties and Students as stakeholders for a developed India. The workshop was a key step towards initiating the process of engaging youth to share their ideas and suggestions for Viksit Bharat @2047.
Prime Minister Modi during his speech highlighted the role of educational institutions in the personality development of an individual and said that a nation becomes developed only with the development of its people. Underlining the importance of personality development in the present era, the Prime Minister extended his wishes for the success of the ‘Voice of Youth’ workshop.
Prime Minister Modi underlined the need to channel the energy of the students and the youth of every university towards achieving the common goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’. Noting the diversity of ideas, the Prime Minister stressed linking all the streams towards building a developed India.
Shri Modi urged everyone to go beyond their limits to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. He suggested running special campaigns in every college and university in the country to connect more and more youth with this campaign. The Prime Minister mentioned the launch of Ideas Portal related to Viksit Bharat and informed that suggestions can be given on five different themes.
Drawing the analogy of the period of development of ‘Viksit Bharat’ to that of an examination, the Prime Minister mentioned the confidence, preparation and dedication of the students as well as the contributions of the families in maintaining the required discipline to accomplish the goal. He remarked that the exam date has also been declared for us as citizens of the country.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined that the roadmap of progress will not be decided by the government alone but by the nation. “Every citizen of the country will have input and active participation in it,” Shri Modi said, pointing out that even the biggest resolutions can be accomplished by the mantra of Sabka Prayas, i.e. public participation.
Addressing the gathering, Governor of Meghalaya, Shri Phagu Chauhan appealed to the younger generation to visit the portal of Visit Bharat created by the government and upload their thoughts and suggestions on this portal by 25th December, 2023.
These suggestions, ideas and action plans will enable the government to formulate policies and help in achieving the goal of making India a developed country by the year 2047, the Governor added.
The Governor stressed, moulding the voice of the country’s youth into the policy strategy for building a developed India and highlighted the role of educational institutions that maintain maximum contact with the youth.
He lauded the encouraging speech delivered by Chief Minister Shri Conrad Sangma where he has underlined the role of the state of Meghalaya in giving a decisive shape to this action plan.
He expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellors of Universities, Directors of different prestigious Higher educational institutions and officials for making this program very meaningful with their valuable participation and deliberations during the workshop.
Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad Sangma while addressing the gathering said that youth are the greatest opportunity for any nation and they are the greatest challenge as well.
He said ,“And I keep repeating this in almost every program I go to when I speak to the youth, the youth when given the wrong direction it’s a ball of energy that is the most destructive force for the nation. And given the right direction, it will be the most constructive force for the nation”.
And that’s the reason why it is important that we are built up with the right mindset and values and nurture our youth in the right direction to be able to become the greatest constructive force that history has ever seen, he added.
The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for this vision of Visit Bharat by 2047 while adding “any nation, any country, any state or any organization cannot move forward without a vision”. He further added, “And hence, no matter how difficult that vision may sound.
It is important for a nation to move towards a target. And I think the honorable Prime Minister has really motivated all of us to do that. And that’s really what leadership should do. And I really, once again, on this very, very momentous occasion would like to congratulate and would like to thank the honorable Prime Minister for his vision for our country and for each and every citizen of this amazing nation”.
The Chief Minister built on the vision of the Prime Minister and said that the youth will decide the roadmap of progress and will not be decided by the government alone.
Elaborating the outcome of the workshop, where three sets of stakeholders – Heads of all the premier Higher Educational Institute, Faculty Members and students of the educational institutes participated in elaborate deliberations sharing ideas and suggestions for Viksit Bharat @2047, Dr Rohit Dwivedi, Professor from IIM Shillong said that the three groups stressed on Equality, Quality and Development as the mantras for achieving a developed India where every citizen of the country feels free and empowered.
Dr Dwivedi said that the students hold a vision for a healthier, more informed sustainable society, ensuring a holistic approach towards the various aspects of community well being and development.
The Heads of Institutions held that while the institutions chart the course for the next decade, the emphasis on skill development and utilisation of technology presents a promising opportunity to propel the nation forward, the Professor added.
