Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, highlighted the crucial role of the country’s youth and its burgeoning sporting aspirations in achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or developed India by 2047.
Information was available with The Chenab Times detailing the Prime Minister’s emphasis on the advancements within India’s sports ecosystem. He noted the significant success of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Khelo India initiatives, including University Games, Winter Games, and Beach Games. The Prime Minister pointed out the development in sports infrastructure, coaching, sports medicine, and sports nutrition, stating that India is making strides towards excellence in these areas. He further elaborated that for young individuals, even those not aspiring to be athletes, a wide array of opportunities are emerging within the support structures of the sports sector.
Addressing employment prospects, Prime Minister Modi announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana. This scheme, he stated, is designed to benefit the nation’s youth for years to come. As part of this initiative, the government will provide Rs. 15,000 to every young person, male or female, who secures employment in the private sector. Additionally, incentives will be offered to companies that generate more new employment opportunities. The scheme aims to create approximately 3.5 crore new employment opportunities.
India’s growing ambitions on the global sporting stage were also a focal point of the Prime Minister’s address. He mentioned India’s steady improvement in international sports performance and the nation’s strong bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Furthermore, he confirmed India’s commitment to hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged that the Olympic Games encompass a vast number of sports and events, and noted that India currently does not participate in or qualify for nearly two-thirds of these. He articulated a clear objective for India to host the 2036 Olympics and stressed the need for focused efforts in underdeveloped sporting disciplines. A nationwide talent-hunt campaign is planned to identify promising young athletes.
This ambition is linked to a long-term strategy for identifying and nurturing talent. The Prime Minister emphasized that to secure athletes for the 2036 Olympics, focus must begin now on identifying children aged between 5 and 15 years. A comprehensive talent hunt campaign will be conducted across villages, cities, and schools to discover sporting talent among children in this age group. Those identified will undergo ability assessments and receive specialized training to develop into athletes capable of representing the country.
The Prime Minister also addressed the escalating challenge of substance abuse among the youth, calling for a unified national response. He described drug abuse as a major crisis and urged for a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (drug-free India) to be a collective responsibility. He underscored the importance of harnessing the strength of the youth for the nation’s progress and ensuring their well-being for a bright future.
The pivotal role of the youth in India’s developmental journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ was repeatedly stressed. Prime Minister Modi stated that the aspirations and participation of the youth must be integrated into the national goal, with young people being the highest priority.
Highlighting the expansion of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Prime Minister reported that under the Startup India initiative, there are now over 2.5 lakh registered startups nationwide. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams, assuring them of support from the government’s ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund.
Acknowledging the financial burden that private coaching classes impose on families, the Prime Minister announced a new initiative to offer free online coaching for students preparing for various competitive examinations. He noted the availability of digital infrastructure, talented educators, and teachers, which will be leveraged to build an extensive network for providing this free coaching across the country.
The Chenab Times News Desk