Youth have a critical role to play in shaping India’s future: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the participants of Viksit Vibrant Village Program 2026 through video conference in New Delhi on Sunday. | Photo credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 26, 2026) urged young Indians to play a constructive role in nation building by connecting with border villages through the Viksit Vibrant Village 2026 programme.

He expressed the belief that the Indian youth will play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future. He said that when young people connect directly with the nation’s challenges and opportunities, the country’s future will become stronger and brighter. The statement comes a day after youth-led protests forced Dharmendra Pradhan to resign as education minister.

Interacting with the participants of the programmes, the Prime Minister welcomed youth representatives from around 250 districts and appreciated the growing reach of the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform, which he said has extended to millions of young citizens involved in national development initiatives.

Emphasizing the role of youth in shaping India’s future, Mr. Modi said MOJI Bharat volunteers have demonstrated their mettle through programs such as Viksit Bharat Dialogue and Viksit Vibrant Village Programme. He said connecting young people with the realities of rural and border regions helps broaden their understanding of the nation and strengthens their commitment to public service.

Recalling the beginnings of the program during the Viksit Bharat Youth Leaders Dialogue, Mr. Modi said that out of nearly three million applicants, more than 400 youths were selected and visited border villages in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh. The initiative, he said, was designed to acquaint the participants with the local culture, understand the aspirations of the border communities and witness the dedication of the Indian Armed Forces.

Describing the experience as a living example of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, the Prime Minister said that such interactions promote national unity while providing an opportunity for the youth to learn outside the classroom.

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Mr. Modi paid tribute to the armed forces and recalled the sacrifices made by the soldiers in defending the national borders.

Emphasizing the importance of border villages in India’s development path, the Prime Minister said the government’s approach has shifted from treating them as the country’s “last villages” to recognizing them as India’s “first villages”. He highlighted the improvements in road connectivity, electricity, drinking water, LPG connections and internet services and said these improvements have changed livelihoods and boosted tourism in the border regions.

Mr. Modi urged the participants to become ambassadors of border tourism and encouraged all the youth to share their experiences with at least 100 others. He called on them to work with content creators, promote local culture and products, organize family visits and advocate educational trips to border areas through schools and universities.

Published – 26 Jul 2026 22:13 IST