Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged young people to strengthen their connection with India’s border villages. Addressing participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme through video conferencing, Mr Modi described developed villages as the foundation of a Viksit Bharat.
The prime minister lauded the growing role of youth in nation-building through the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform. Prime Minister said, the youth of the country are not only the driving force behind a developed India but also its greatest beneficiaries. Mr Modi said when the energy of youth is channelled towards addressing national challenges and finding solutions, the future of the country becomes brighter. He added that when young people connect with grassroots realities, they strengthen India’s journey towards inclusive development.
Speaking about the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme, the Prime Minister said the initiative was designed to inspire young people to visit, understand and engage with the country’s border villages. He noted that the programme received an overwhelming response, with nearly three lakh youth participating in the competition, out of whom more than 400 were selected.
The Prime Minister said developed villages are the foundation of a Viksit Bharat and that young people have a vital role in achieving this vision. He highlighted that despite facing challenges, residents of border villages have always maintained an unwavering spirit of patriotism. Mr Modi said that under the government’s approach of treating border villages as the “first villages”, these areas are witnessing rapid transformation, with many receiving roads, electricity and tap water for the first time since independence.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi said that collective participation has always been a source of strength in India’s cultural traditions. He highlighted that communities in the country have long worked together while singing songs, a practice that strengthened unity and made collective efforts more joyful and stress-free. He emphasised that the government is making concerted efforts to prioritise and empower those who were previously left out of the development process.
Highlighting the role of solo travel, the Prime Minister said many participants began their journeys as individuals but returned as one family through the MY Bharat initiative. He described this transformation as one of the programme’s key achievements, turning personal experiences into a shared sense of belonging and national unity.
Referring to young women who undertook the journey independently, Mr Modi said their participation reflects the confidence and courage of India’s daughters. He added that the Government remains committed to ensuring that every young person, especially every daughter of the country, moves forward with confidence, self-belief and determination.
The Viksit Vibrant Village Programme provides participants with first-hand exposure to the socio-economic conditions, cultural heritage and developmental aspirations of India’s frontier regions. It also promotes community participation, national integration and awareness about the strategic importance of border villages. More than 400 young participants from all States and Union Territories shared their experiences with the Prime Minister today.
