Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday interacted with a youth delegation from Darjeeling at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, encouraging young people to preserve their cultural heritage while actively contributing to India’s development journey.
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-President said it was a pleasure to receive vibrant young minds from a region known for its natural beauty, rich cultural traditions and significant contributions to the nation. He described India’s demographic strength as one of its greatest assets and noted that the youth embody the aspirations of a confident and forward-looking country.
He said the vision of Viksit Bharat and AatmaNirbhar Bharat calls upon young citizens to contribute with innovation, integrity and enterprise. Self-reliance, he added, reflects both confidence in the country’s capabilities and pride in its heritage. Rajya Sabha Member Harsh Vardhan Shringla was present during the interaction.
During the discussion, students raised questions on issues such as outmigration, sustainable tourism, disaster resilience, Darjeeling tea and sports infrastructure. Addressing concerns about migration, the Vice-President observed that it is a global phenomenon often driven by economic aspirations, but stressed the importance of preserving one’s identity, culture and traditions.
Highlighting the potential of sustainable tourism, he called for environmentally responsible development to strengthen the regional economy. Referring to the vulnerability of hilly regions, he underlined the need for enhanced disaster preparedness, improved infrastructure and coordinated efforts, including initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
He also acknowledged the global reputation of Darjeeling tea and encouraged value addition and entrepreneurship in the sector. On sports development, he emphasised the importance of integrated infrastructure and institutional support to nurture grassroots talent.
Expressing happiness at seeing the youth in traditional attire, the Vice-President said he holds deep respect for those who consciously preserve their culture and traditions. He urged the delegation to remain rooted in their heritage while embracing new opportunities, expressing confidence that they would play a meaningful role in nation-building and in realising the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.
