Every year, January 12 is celebrated across the length and breadth of India as ‘National Youth Festival’, a day which is also the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is an innovative one, launched with the vision of engaging India’s youth in the developmental journey of the nation. The programme seeks to harness the collective energy, creativity and leadership potential of young minds to contribute towards realising a Viksit Bharat, i.e., a Developed India.
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that the youth of the country are central to India’s growth, the dialogue provides a platform for young leaders to engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions to the nation’s challenges. The competition and its stages are designed to inspire the youth to think critically and contribute in a proactive way towards India’s progress.
A dialogue, its competitive nature
The dialogue is a dynamic, multi-stage initiative, designed to engage and empower India’s youth in the country’s developmental journey. The competition has four stages, the first being a Viksit Bharat quiz held digitally on the My Bharat platform. This stage tested a participant’s knowledge about India’s achievements, challenges, and vision for a developed future, covering areas such as sustainable development, technology, and national policies. The top scorers moved on to the second stage, i.e., essay and blog writing, where they had to write on themes such as tech for Viksit Bharat and empowering youth for Viksit Bharat, reflecting on their vision for India’s future. These submissions were evaluated for originality.
In the third stage, the Viksit Bharat Vision Pitch Deck, participants at the State level presented innovative ideas for India’s development through a compelling pitch deck. The best teams from each State advanced to the fourth and last stage of the Viksit Bharat National Championship, which will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on January 11-12, 2025.
In the finale, the selected teams will pitch their visionary solutions to the Prime Minister. This in itself is a unique opportunity to influence national policy and contribute to India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat. The competition is structured to test not only a participant’s knowledge and creativity but also their leadership and communication skills.
The features this year
The National Youth Festival is an annual celebration of India’s youth, fostering a spirit of national integration and promoting the ideals of youth empowerment and creativity. However, this year’s festival stands out in several ways.
The focus this year is on Youth for Sustainable Development, a theme that resonates with growing recognition of young people as the drivers of global change. In line with India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the festival has incorporated workshops, seminars and cultural activities that align with the vision of a greener, more inclusive, future. Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on the role of technology and innovation in achieving national goals, with specific sessions dedicated to Tech for Good and Innovation for India’s Development.
Another unique feature this year is expanded virtual participation. With digital platforms having been integrated into the festival, young people from remote corners of the country can participate in discussions, workshops, and showcase their talents and ideas online. This inclusivity broadens the festival’s reach and ensures that youth, regardless of location, has the chance to contribute.
The 2025 National Youth Festival will feature: workshops and panels on leadership and innovation. With a focus on topics such as youth leadership, digital entrepreneurship, and sustainable living, these sessions will equip participants with the skills necessary to drive change in their communities.
Second, cultural programmes. The festival will celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage through music, dance, theatre, and folk art performances. These will provide youth with opportunities to express themselves creatively and appreciate the diverse cultural landscape of the nation.
Third, tech and innovation showcases. With the theme, Tech for Viksit Bharat, the festival will include exhibitions and presentations from young tech innovators and entrepreneurs who are building solutions to real-world problems in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and urban development.
Fourth, engagement with leaders. The festival will facilitate direct engagement between youth and key leaders as pathbreakers from various sectors, which include government, business and academia. These interactions will provide participants with insights into leadership, governance, and the path to national progress.
Fifth, recognition of youth contributions. Awards and recognitions will be presented to young individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and service. This will motivate others to take active roles in shaping India’s future.
The role of MY Bharat
The Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, plays an instrumental role in shaping and guiding the direction of the National Youth Festival. As a platform that empowers youth by promoting engagement, knowledge sharing, and participation in nation-building activities, it is crucial in curating the festival’s programmes and ensuring that they align with the aspirations of India’s youth. Through MY Bharat, young people can gain access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities that will enhance their ability to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
In this year’s festival, MY Bharat will facilitate the digital integration of youth, enabling participation from across the country. It will also actively support youth-led initiatives, helping them navigate the complexities of social and technological challenges and encouraging them to find innovative solutions for a better India.
In totality, India’s youth is indeed its most precious asset. As the country progresses towards its vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat, it is the boundless energy, the ideas and the ambition of young people that will power the nation’s transformation. The initiative of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue will not only open a new chapter but will also shape the mobilisation of the political leadership.
The future of India is bright, and it rests in the able hands of its youth. This resonates with the belief expressed by Swami Vivekananda in unlimited possibilities in youth energy when he had said, ‘Give me one hundred ‘believing’ young men… I will transform India as the number one nation in the entire world….’
Raksha Khadse is Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
Published – January 11, 2025 12:16 am IST
