PM Modi urges youngsters without political background to enter politics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday talked about attracting such youth to politics who did not come from political families.

Addressing the ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio broadcast programme, he said, “You might remember that from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I have urged youth to join politics who do not come from political families.” The PM said many special campaigns would be run in the country to have 1 lakh youths into the field of politics.

‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue’ is also one such effort. Experts from the country and abroad will grace the event. Many national and international personalities would also be there. “I will also be present in it for as much time as possible,” he said. Two thousand youths selected for participation in the programme would get an opportunity to present their ideas directly before them, the PM said.

“How can the country take these ideas forward? How can a solid roadmap be made? A blueprint will be prepared for this,” Modi said and appealed to the youth to get ready for the great opportunity to build the future of India. Come, let us build the country together to make it a developed one,” he said.

The PM announced that the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue’ would take place at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on January 11 and 12 to coincide with the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Noting that today is NCC Day, the Prime Minister said the provision for NCC had been introduced in 5,000 new schools and colleges.

One important aspect was that earlier the number of girl cadets in NCC was just around 25 per cent, and now, the number had risen to almost 40 per cent, Modi said.

He also talked about the transformative role of technology in simplifying life of senior citizens, particularly through the introduction of the Digital Life Certificate, which has streamlined the pension process.

He praised the youth for their efforts in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that the elderly were not left behind in the technological revolution.

"Our youth are leading the way. By educating seniors about digital innovations and online safety, they're empowering them to navigate the digital world confidently,” he remarked.

Modi also spoke about the ‘Prakrith Arivagam’ library initiative in Chennai, which helped reduce screen time for young people and fostered creativity.

He also shared his experience of visiting Guyana, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic ties between India and the Caribbean nation.

PM Modi urged listeners to share stories of how Indian immigrants had made significant contributions in different countries, showcasing the global impact of the Indian diaspora. PM Modi also said an ‘Oral History Project’ was being carried out in India to collect the experiences of people who suffered during the Partition. He emphasised the importance of preserving history, stating, “A country or place that preserves its history ensures its future is secure.”

He further spoke about an effort underway in Slovakia related to the conservation and promotion of the Indian culture, highlighting the importance of cultural diplomacy.