On the occasion of the 161st anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, Maharashtra.

Addressing the Rashtriya Yuva Mahotsav at Tapovan Ground, PM Modi said: "Today is a day of the youth power of India. This day is dedicated to the great man who filled India with new energy in the days of slavery... I am glad to be here on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand... My greetings on Rashtriya Yuva Divas. Today is the birth anniversary of Rajmata Jija Bai, who is the symbol of 'Nari Shakti' in India."

"This is not just a coincidence that many great personalities of India are related to the land of Maharashtra. It is the effect of this 'Punya Bhoomi, Veer Bhoomi, and Tapo Bhoomi'," he stated. 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik, Maharashtra today. Shri Modi paid floral tributes to the portrait of Swami Vivekanand and Rajmata Jijau. He also witnessed a march past by the state’s team and a cultural program on the theme of ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047 - Yuva ke liye, Yuva ke dwara’ which included Rhythmic gymnastics, Mallakhamb, Yogasana and National Youth Festival song. 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today marks the occasion of India’s youth power and is dedicated to the great personality of Swami Vivekanand who filled the county with new energy and enthusiasm during the period of slavery. Shri Modi conveyed his best wishes to all youth on the occasion of National Youth Day which is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. He also noted the birth anniversary of Rajmata Jijabai, the symbol of India’s women power and expressed gratitude for being present in Maharashtra on this occasion. 

Prime Minister Modi said it is not a coincidence that the land of Maharashtra has produced so many great personalities and it is the effect of the virtuous and brave soil. This land, the Prime Minister said, through great personalities like Rajmata Jijabai gave rise to Chhatrapati Shivaji, produced great women leaders like Devi Ahilyabai Holkar and Ramabai Ambedkar, and greats like Lokmanya Tilak, Veer Savarkar, Anant Kanhere, Dadasaheb Potnis and Chapekar Bandhu among others. “Lord Shree Ram spent a lot of time in the land of Panchwati, Nashik”, the Prime Minister said as he bowed to the land of the greats. Recalling his clarion call to run a cleanliness campaign and cleanse the places of worship in India before the 22nd of January this year, the Prime Minister mentioned performing darshan and pooja at Shree Kalaram Temple in Nashik. He reiterated the need to carry out cleanliness campaigns in all temples, shrines and centers of pilgrimage in the country and contribute to the cause before the consecration ceremony of the soon-to-be-inaugurated Shree Ram Temple. 

Highlighting the tradition of keeping Yuvashakti paramount, PM Modi, quoting Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda, credited the youth power for India's entry into the top 5 economies of the world. He also mentioned India being among the top 3 startup ecosystems, record number of patents, and becoming a major manufacturing hub as a manifestation of the youth power of the nation. 

PM Modi emphasized that the current moment of ‘Amrit Kaal’ is a unique moment for the youth of India. Recalling the epoch-defining contributions of personalities like M Visvesvaraya, Major Dhyan Chand, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Batukeshwar Dutt, Mahatma Phule, Savitri Bai Phule, the Prime Minister reminded the youth of their similar responsibilities during the ‘Amrit Kaal’. He asked them to work to take the nation to new heights. In the light of this unique opportunity, the Prime Minister said “I consider you the most fortunate generation in the history of India. I know the youth of India can achieve this goal”. The Prime Minister noted his satisfaction with the speed with which youth are getting linked with the MY-Bharat portal. In less than 75 days, 1.10 crore youths have registered on the portal. 

Noting that the present government has provided a sea of opportunities and obliterated all obstacles for the youth of India as the dispensation completes 10 years in power, the Prime Minister mentioned the development of a modern and dynamic ecosystem in place in sectors of education, employment, entrepreneurship, emerging sectors, startups, skills and sports. He touched upon the implementation of the New Educational Policy, the development of a modern skilling ecosystem, the implementation of PM Vishwakarma Yojna for artists and handicrafts sector, upskilling of crores of youth with PM Kaushal Vikas Yojna, and setting up new IITs and NITs in the country. “The world is looking towards India as a new skilled force”, Shri Modi remarked as he spoke about providing training to the youth who wish to showcase their skills to the world. He stated that the mobility agreements established by the government with countries like France, Germany, the UK, Australia, Italy, Austria etc. are hugely benefiting the youth of the country.  

PM Modi declared, “Today, a new horizon of opportunities is being opened for the youth and the government is working with full force for that.” He mentioned the enabling environment being created in the sectors like drone, animation, gaming, coming, visual effects, atomic, space and mapping sectors. Emphasizing exponentially fast progress under the current government, the Prime Minister said the growth of highways, modern trains, world-class airports, digital services like vaccination certificates, and affordable data are opening new avenues for the youth of the country.  

“Today, the mood and style of the country are youthful”, the Prime Minister said as he underlined that the youth of today do not lag but lead the way. Therefore, the Prime Minister said that India has become a leader in technology as he gave examples of the successful Chandrayaan 3 and Aditya L1 missions. He also referred to the ‘Made in India’ INS Vikrant, an indigenously made cannon used for the ceremonial gun salute during Independence Day, and Tejas fighter planes. Among other aspects, Shri Modi mentioned the extensive use of UPI or digital payments in small shops to the biggest shopping malls. “The advent of Amrit Kaal is filled with pride for India”, Shri Modi said urging the youth to take India forward in this Amrit Kaal to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The Prime Minister told the young generation that this is the time to give new wings to their dreams. “Now We do not just have to overcome challenges. We have to set new challenges for ourselves”, said the Prime Minister while listing the new goals of a 5 trillion dollar economy, becoming the 3rd largest economy, becoming a hub of manufacturing and responsibilities like working to prevent climate change and promoting natural farming. 

Explaining the basis of his faith in the young generation, PM Modi said, “During this period, a young generation is being prepared in the country, which is completely free from the pressure and influence of slavery. The youth of this generation are saying with confidence – development as well as heritage.” He said that the world is recognizing the value of yoga and Ayurveda and Indian youth is becoming brand ambassadors of Yoga and Ayurveda. 

Urging the youth to enquire through their grandparents about the consumption of bajra roti, kodo-kutki, ragi-jowar during their times, the Prime Minister pointed out that it was the mentality of slavery which led to this food being associated with poverty and found its way out of Indian kitchens. He underlined that the government has given a new identity to millets and coarse grains as superfoods, thereby making a comeback in Indian households as Shree Anna. “Now you have to become the brand ambassador of these cereals. Your health will also improve with food grains and small farmers of the country will also benefit”, Shri Modi added. 

The Prime Minister asked the youth to serve the nation through the medium of politics. He mentioned the hope that world leaders repose in India nowadays. “There is a reason for this hope, this aspiration – India is the Mother of Democracy. The greater the participation of youth in democracy, the better will be the future of the nation.” He suggested that their participation will dilute dynasty politics. He also asked them to express their opinion through voting. To first-time voters, he said, “First-time voters can bring new energy and strength to our democracy.”