PM Modi Urges Greater Youth Engagement During High-Level Meeting
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a significant meeting with top government officials to discuss strategies to better engage with the youth of India. This was the third high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India, held at his residence.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need for government departments to look beyond immediate issues and statistics. He encouraged officials to adopt a long-term vision to help shape the country’s future, as outlined in a government press release.
Modi highlighted that working in isolated silos isn’t just an organizational challenge; it also reflects a mindset issue. He pointed out that these silos can be both horizontal and vertical within the government structure. He urged officials to take ownership of their roles and collaborate more closely with a sense of community.
The Prime Minister called for increased cooperation between government agencies, educational institutions, and young people. He believes that engaging with universities and the youth can bring fresh ideas into the policymaking process. “Wider engagement can lead to new and unconventional approaches,” he stated.
Reflecting on the collective efforts witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges following the West Asia conflict, Modi stressed the importance of collaboration within the government. He wants such teamwork to become an ingrained part of government culture.
Artificial Intelligence also took center stage during the meeting. Modi advocated for the innovative use of AI technology, while ensuring that human judgment remains at the forefront. He encouraged exploring new ways to blend AI capabilities with human expertise.
The Prime Minister underscored that data should be viewed as a national asset essential for future planning. He pointed out that while the government invests in data management, its full potential is often underutilized due to fragmented systems.
In recent speeches, Modi has increasingly focused on youth-related topics. During his 80th Independence Day speech on August 15, he mentioned the youth approximately 50 times, urging for actions that benefit them directly.
Among his announcements, he pledged free online coaching for those preparing for competitive exams, stating, “Coaching classes burden the poor and the middle class. We will provide free online coaching for various exams.”
Additionally, he revealed plans to train one crore young people in AI skills within the next year. Modi also addressed sports development, aiming for India to participate in a majority of events during the 2036 Olympics. He announced a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to nurture future athletes.
In a bid to tackle drug addiction, he called for a united front to create a drug-free India and urged families to join the 100-day Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan. He warned that drug addiction has become a significant challenge for the country’s youth, stating, “Making India drug-free should be a collective responsibility for all of us.”
