New Delhi, 10 January (H.S.): Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra emphasized on Saturday that India's youth hold a decisive role in nation-building, with their energy and leadership serving as the greatest strength in achieving the Viksit Bharat target by 2047.

Addressing young participants at the Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvad, Malhotra praised those actively contributing to social upliftment, raising voices on societal issues, advancing development priorities, and driving positive change. He described the dialogue not merely as a celebratory platform but as a constructive forum where youth can meaningfully participate in shaping national policies and priorities.

PM Modi's Vision Alignment

This initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's profound faith in the transformative power of youth, as he has repeatedly stated that India's future during Amrit Kaal will be shaped by them.

Malhotra highlighted the Prime Minister's call for one lakh youth without political family backgrounds to enter public life, thereby strengthening democracy. Viksit Bharat@2047 represents an ambitious and inclusive vision encompassing economic prosperity, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance, with youth, the poor, women, and farmers as its backbone.

Demographic Dividend

Nearly 20 percent of the world's youth reside in India, endowing the nation with unprecedented potential in economic growth, innovation, and social transformation—though precise figures indicate around 27 percent of India's population aged 15-29. Empowering youth through quality education, skills, and employment remains a national priority.

Initiatives such as job fairs, PM Vishwakarma, ITI upgradation, employment-linked incentive schemes, and the Prime Minister Viksit Bharat Employment Yojana are bridging the gap between youth aspirations and opportunities. In the past 18 months, the government has provided nearly 11 lakh permanent jobs.Between 2017-18 and 2023-24, total employment rose from 47.5 crore to 64.33 crore.

India now hosts over two lakh startups, establishing the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, which has generated more than 20 lakh jobs—though official data notes over 16.6 lakh direct jobs from recognized startups since 2016—and boosted innovation in AI, biotechnology, fintech, and green energy.

Employment grew by 36 percent from 2016-17 to 2022-23.Four labour codes have implemented major reforms, expanding social security coverage to 64.3 percent and positioning India second globally.

Malhotra declared the Viksit Bharat Yuva Samvad has evolved into a national movement connecting youth with governance and policy discussions, in line with the Prime Minister's vision of public participation, encouraging them to ideate, innovate, and own India's development journey.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar