Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the youth of the country for their significant contributions to India’s progress and emphasized that when young people come together to brainstorm ideas for the country’s future, “concrete results” are achieved.
Speaking during the 116th episode of his radio program, Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister celebrated the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Raising Day and reflected on his own “invaluable” experience as an NCC cadet. He said that the Corps has played a key role in instilling discipline, leadership, and service among the youth of the country.
“Today is NCC Day. NCC reminds us of our school and college days. I have been an NCC cadet myself, and I can say with full confidence that the experience gained from this is invaluable for me,” PM Modi said. He further highlighted the contributions of NCC cadets during disasters, floods, and accidents, noting their constant presence in such situations.
In 2024, more than two million youth are part of the NCC, a significant increase from previous years. Over 5,000 schools and colleges are now part of the NCC network, with girl cadets comprising nearly 40% of the total, up from around 25% previously.
Looking ahead, PM Modi spoke about the “Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue,” scheduled for January 11-12, where nearly 2,000 youth from across the country will come together to share ideas. “Youth have a big role to play in making India a developed nation. When youth come together to brainstorm on taking the country forward, we definitely get concrete results,” he added. He also said that the event coincides with the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated as Youth Day.
Additionally, PM Modi praised young individuals from various states for their efforts in connecting the elderly with technology. For example, a person from Bhopal has helped senior citizens engage with digital payments, while a youth from Lucknow assisted them in obtaining digital certificates for pension-related matters. These innovations have made life significantly easier for the elderly, who previously had to visit banks to submit life certificates.
The Prime Minister also drew attention to the growing threat of cyber scams targeting the elderly, particularly cases of “digital arrest” frauds. He urged the public to be vigilant and informed, asserting that there is no such provision as “digital arrest” in government laws. “It is a completely false notion and a conspiracy to trap people,” PM Modi said, stressing the need to protect vulnerable citizens from cybercriminals who impersonate law enforcement officials.
(Inputs from ANI)
