Youths will steer country towards development: Governor
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 11 2023:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth' initiative via video conferencing on Monday.
During the programme, the Prime Minister addressed vice-chancellors of universities, heads of institutions and faculty members in workshops organised at Raj Bhavans across the country, marking formal commencement of the initiative.
In the state, the programme was held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, here, where Governor Anusuiya Uikey led the gathering in witnessing/listening the Prime Minister's speech.
Education minister Th Basanta Kumar, vice-chancellors, directors, and heads of universities and other higher educational institutions in the state were present.
In his speech, PM Modi emphasised the importance of the day in the context of resolutions for a developed India.
He congratulated the Governors for organising workshops related to forging a developed India and urged every individual and organisation to move forward with the pledge of contributing towards a developed India.
The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of a strong and empowered society, while emphasising that citizens must think in the interest of the country for such a society to emerge.
PM Modi stressed the power of public participation, citing examples such as 'Digital India,' 'Vocal for Local,' and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Following the Prime Minister's speech, panel discussions were held on three topics; Empowered Indians, Thriving and Sustainable Economy, and Innovation, Science, and Technology.
Experts from Manipur University of Culture and Bir Tikendrajit University discussed empowering citizens, particularly the youth whereas those from Manipur University and Dhanamanjuri University focused on tapping and channelising resources for a thriving and sustainable economy.
The need for developing and introducing new technologies in the agricultural sector was emphasised by an expert from Central Agricultural University, while his counterpart from the Indian Institute of Information Technology highlighted the importance of innovative ideas in Science and Technology.
After the discussion sessions, Governor Anusuiya Uikey stated that Indian policymakers have a clear-cut goal, as outlined by Prime Minister Modi in his Independence Day speech, to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of independence.
The Governor emphasised the potential of the country, available resources, and the strength of the youth in achieving the goal.
She highlighted the next five years as a "golden opportunity '' to realise this aspiration, especially in shaping the new world order post-Covid pandemic.
Governor Uikey continued by discussing the Vision India/2047 project launched by the NITI Aayog, which aims to prepare a blueprint for India's development in the next 25 years, making India a global leader in innovation and technology, human development, social welfare, and environmental sustainability.
She encouraged the active participation of college and university students in the Ideas from Youth for Developed India 2047,' stating that 10 youths with the best innovative ideas will be felicitated.
Around 20 per cent of the global youth population is in the country and it is a huge opportunity for them to contribute to a developed India, she said.
The Governor also highlighted the energetic and enthusiastic nature of the youth, who will play a crucial role in shaping India's future.
Responding to posers from the media, the Governor said that the Centre and the state government has been working to resolve the ethnic conflict and take forward the state towards development.
The government is reaching out to political parties and CSOs to find an amicable solution, she added.
The programme was attended by MU VC professor N Lokendra, DM University VC professor N Rajmuhon, MUC VC professor P Gunindro, BTU VC professor AK Choudhary, CAU acting dean professor L Nabakumar, IIIT Imphal director professor K Bhaskar, Don Bosco College (Autonomous), Maram assistant professor Dr PA Stewart, as well as research scholars and students.