Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful message to India’s youth on Saturday, questioning why their aspirations for a developed India by 2047 shouldn’t translate into developed states right now. ‘If you can think of Viksit Bharat, why not Viksit Rajya?’ he asked, igniting cheers from the audience.
This comes at a time when the government is pushing ambitious targets for economic and social progress. Modi recounted his own journey, from a small town in Gujarat to the national stage, to illustrate how state-level efforts build national strength. He praised youth innovators who have turned local challenges into opportunities, like drone technology in farming and AI in healthcare.
Delving deeper, the PM outlined key pillars: education reform, job creation, and green energy adoption at the state level. He cited data showing states with strong youth engagement, such as Karnataka’s tech boom and Bihar’s infrastructure surge, leading the pack. ‘Empower states, empower India,’ was his mantra.
Modi also addressed urban-rural divides, urging youth to bridge them through community projects. Initiatives like Startup India and Skill India, he said, have already created millions of jobs, but scaling them regionally is crucial.
The speech wasn’t without broader context. With upcoming state elections, Modi’s words signal a strategy to align youth with development agendas. Social media buzzed post-event, with #ViksitRajya trending nationwide.
As the nation gears up for transformative decades, Modi’s challenge to the youth underscores a bottom-up approach to development. States that harness young talent will not only contribute to Viksit Bharat but redefine India’s global standing.
