Prime Minister's Media Statement during visit to Sri Lanka

Friends,

It was wonderful speaking with you all today. Union Cabinet colleague Mansukh Mandaviya ji, Minister Raksha Khadse ji, and youth companions from across the nation have joined us.

This program is truly special. Youth from nearly 250 districts of India are connected with this programme, and I warmly welcome you all.

Friends,

A few years ago, we created the My Bharat platform. Today, millions of young people across the country are part of it, and they are doing commendable work. From the Viksit Bharat Dialogue to the Vibrant Village Program, you have shown your strength and capability.

Friends,

During the Young Leaders Dialogue, I shared an idea: instead of only connecting virtually, why not step onto the ground, experience India, live India, and understand India? The aspirations for development in villages can only be felt by visiting them. In our border villages, the desire for progress is matched by a deep sense of patriotism. Often, it feels that for them, the nation comes first, and personal comforts later.

That is why the purpose was for youth from different districts to travel to villages in Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh. To see how people live, what they eat, how they work, their culture, their way of life, their challenges. To witness how people in the first villages of the nation remain alert for the country’s security, and how close their bond is with the rest of India. This experience was meant for our youth. The enthusiasm shown was extraordinary. Nearly 300,000 youth participated in this competition, and more than 400 were selected. You stayed for a week in these remote villages - places unknown to you. You tried to live their life, blended into their culture, connected your own traditions with theirs. This is perhaps the finest example of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Friends,

This program is special for me personally as well. When I was away from government and politics, I often visited such border villages. I built long-lasting connections with many of them. Even after entering government, I never miss an opportunity to visit border villages. You all know that for the past 25 years, I have celebrated Diwali at the border with our brave soldiers. Some of the villages you visited are ones I have been to myself. As you described your experiences, I could see those old memories vividly. Your experiences were equally inspiring - some spoke of the thrill of high mountain ranges, others of the warmth and affection of border villagers, some of the dreams of children, and some witnessed the courage and discipline of our army. Truly, the Vibrant Village experience was remarkable. Coincidentally, today is Kargil Vijay Diwas. Many of you visited areas around Kargil, where our brave soldiers triumphed in the most challenging conditions. You saw this with your own eyes. I congratulate you all for being part of this program and for gaining such enriching experiences.

Friends,

A developed village is the foundation of a developed India. The journey of building a developed India is ongoing, and in this journey, the role of youth is immense. When the youth connect with the ground, they broaden the vision of a developed India. It strengthens their resolve to live for the nation and to contribute to it.

Friends,

In this campaign, you must have experienced how difficult life is in border villages. Yet, despite every hardship, the people of these villages live patriotism every moment. Until a few years ago, border villages were called the “last villages” and left to their fate. Roads, electricity, water, schools, hospitals - all basic facilities were absent. You may have heard many such stories from the people there. They must have told you about the earlier conditions. And we should be proud that even in such circumstances, their patriotism never weakened, not even a fraction.

That is why, friends,

Our government has considered these border villages as the nation’s first villages. The first villages where the morning sun greets India, and where the last rays bid good night. Where the tricolor first converses with the wind. Where the world sees India for the first time. This change in thinking has transformed our border regions. In many villages, electricity reached for the first time since independence, roads reached for the first time, tap water reached homes for the first time, gas connections reached kitchens for the first time. In cities, these may seem ordinary, but for those people, they are life-changing. Farmers and orchard owners now find it easier to take fruits and vegetables to big markets. Better connectivity means life no longer stops - it moves nonstop. And you must have seen that even in these remote villages, excellent internet connectivity is now available. You described it with such joy.

Friends,

Every facility has another benefit - tourism is flourishing in these regions. Villages that had become deserted are now lively again. Daughters are going to schools and colleges. A good environment for education and earning is being created. The Vibrant Village Program is accelerating this development further.

Friends,

The journey of developed vibrant villages is a powerful medium of connecting everyone. And now your responsibility has increased even more. Your journey is one of unity through participation. The more India’s youth know the border villages, the more easily they will know India, connect with every corner of India, and strengthen the nation. Remember, in those villages there were no guest houses or hotels for you. The entire village itself became your host. And your stay was not just about accommodation - it became a cultural classroom. You received more satisfaction and respect than facilities. What you experienced cannot be learned in any classroom. Share these experiences with other youth. Inspire them to visit border villages. The more youth go and stay there, the more they will see and understand the nation. And as people begin to visit, facilities will reach those villages even faster.

Friends,

Our government is promoting tourism in border villages. You can expand these efforts. I urge each of you to share your experiences with at least 100 other young people. Stay connected with people in your region. If you took photos or videos there, share them widely on social media. Collaborate with local content creators to promote nature and culture. If you saw local products, think about how to promote them in your area. The internet has plenty of information, but you can share authentic knowledge about these villages. Visit these villages again with your friends and family. I also encourage schools, colleges, and universities to organize educational tours to border villages.

Friends,

I have always firmly believed that India’s youth like you will shape the 21st-century world. This is the true destiny of India’s youth. Today’s youth are both the energy of a developed India and its greatest beneficiaries. When youth power connects directly with the nation’s challenges and solutions, the future will surely be bright. With this spirit, I once again extend my best wishes to you all.

Thank you very much.