My colleague in the Union Cabinet, the country's Defense Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh ji, all other dignitaries present on the stage, NCC and NSS cadets who have come from across the country, tableau artists, colleagues from the Rashtriya Rangshala, and my dear young friends. All of your hard work is visible here. You have performed your demonstration with great coordination.
But friends,
Today has also brought a great sorrow for us. This morning itself, a tragic plane accident occurred in Maharashtra. This accident has snatched away from us the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar ji, and some colleagues. Ajit Dada made a great contribution to the development of Maharashtra and the country. Especially for making life in villages better, he always worked by coming forward. I express my condolences to the family of Ajit Pawar ji. In this hour of pain, we all stand with the family members of the colleagues we have lost in this accident.
Friends,
Amidst these moments of grief and condolence, I will also congratulate all of you cadets present here, the cadets and officers who have come from various friendly nations. This time too, girl cadets have come here in very large numbers. I congratulate them specially.
Friends,
NCC is such an organization, such a movement, which makes the youth power of India self-confident, makes them disciplined, makes them sensitive, and makes them citizens dedicated to the nation. You all are making your role more empowered every year. In the past years, the number of NCC cadets has increased from 14 lakhs to 20 lakhs. Especially in our border areas, in coastal areas, there has been a significant increase in the number of NCC cadets.
My young friends,
NCC is a platform for the youth, and on this platform, one also lives their heritage with pride. For example, this year NCC has celebrated the 150 years of Vande Mataram with full enthusiasm. You have conducted programs related to this in every corner of the country. The Param Vir Sagar Yatra is also an excellent example of this. As you all know, a few years ago the government gave the names of our Param Vir Chakra winners to 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar. You have carried forward the sentiment of giving respect to national heroes behind this through your Sailing Expedition. Similarly, through the Island Festival in Lakshadweep, you have celebrated the ocean, culture, and nature, all together.
Friends,
NCC has taken history out of monuments and made it alive in the hearts of the people. You have worked to awaken public consciousness through your bicycle rallies regarding the bravery of Bajirao Peshwa ji, the skill of the great warrior Lachit Borphukan ji, and the leadership of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. I highly appreciate all of you for all these courageous works. I also give my best wishes to the colleagues who have received honors today.
Friends,
I had said from the Red Fort - this is the time, the right time. For the youth of our country, today’s time is the time of maximum opportunities. It is the effort of the government that our youth get the maximum benefit of this period. You saw an example of this only yesterday. An agreement has been reached on a historic Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union. Before this, India has also done Free Trade Agreements with countries like Oman, New Zealand, Britain, UAE, Australia, and Mauritius. All these agreements are going to create countless opportunities for our lakhs and crores of youth.
Friends,
Today the whole world is looking at the youth of young India with great trust. And the reason for this trust of the world is - skill and values ! The youth of India have the values of democracy, our youth have the values of giving respect to every type of diversity, the youth of India have the values of considering the whole world as one family. And therefore, wherever the youth of India go, they easily mingle with the people of that country, they win their hearts. We help in the development of that country with our potential. These are our values, this is our nature. Immense reverence towards the motherland and incomparable dedication towards the workplace (Karmabhoomi), this is our heritage.
Friends,
When I talk to leaders across the world, and on the basis of that conversation I say and can say with full claim, the youth of India are as hardworking as they are excellent professionals. And therefore, there remains a great demand for the youth of India. For example, look in the Gulf countries, lakhs of people have been working there for so many years. Our doctors and engineers are doing wonderful healthcare systems and wonderful infrastructure in so many countries. The teachers we used to have here previously have added new values to the societies of many countries.
Friends,
Along with this contribution of theirs in the world, the whole world is also praising the achievements of the youth in our country. Because of these youth, India has become the backbone of Information Technology in the world. And now, with the power of these very young people, a new revolution has started in startups, in space, in digital technology, in every domain.
Friends,
Now the agreement on which consensus has been reached with the European Union, the world is praising it as the “Mother of All Deals”; it is being called a game-changer deal for the world. This FTA is "Freedom To Aspire" for you. This agreement represents one-fourth of the world's GDP and one-third of global trade.
Friends,
European Union, meaning India's agreement has happened with twenty-seven countries of the world. Its benefit will go to India's startups. Access to funding and the innovation ecosystem for Indian startups will become easier. From this agreement, our creative economy - film, gaming, fashion, digital content, music, and design - will also benefit greatly. And along with it, countless new opportunities will be created for the youth of India in research and education, to IT and other professional services.
Friends,
This agreement is also being called the “Mother of All Deals” because it is very comprehensive, very deep, touching new heights, and the list of benefits is very long. This will give momentum to the Self-Reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) mission. This will give strength to the resolution of Make in India, Make for the World. Because under this agreement, the tariff on more than ninety-nine percent, 99 percent, of India's exports will either be zero or will become very low. And from this, every Indian industry - textile, leather, gems and jewelry, footwear, and engineering goods - and MSMEs will benefit greatly. Our weavers, handicraftsmen, and small entrepreneurs will also get direct access to the massive market of 27 European countries.
Friends,
There is another strong side to this deal. More investment will come to India. New engineering, electronics, chemical, pharma, and other manufacturing plants will start in the country. From this, an assured market will be prepared for new investment in agriculture, food processing, and fisheries as well. This is a very big opportunity for farmers, fishermen, and rural youth.
My young friends,
This FTA directly connects the youth of India to Europe’s job market. Especially in engineering, green tech, design, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, many opportunities will be created. This means that for the youth of India, for you, new opportunities are opening in 27 countries.
Friends,
The government is making all these global opportunities even more expansive through comprehensive reforms. The reform express that the country is riding today is removing every hurdle in front of youth power. And these growing opportunities in front of the country, these values and this discipline in all you youth associated with NCC - for you, this is like icing on the cake (Sone pe suhaga).
Friends,
You have presented a wonderful tableau on Operation Sindoor here. I will especially appreciate your efforts during Operation Sindoor. In that important hour related to national security, our NCC cadets handled their responsibilities very well. Someone gave support in the preparations of our armies, someone set up blood donation camps, someone served through first-aid camps; you showed that along with the training of the parade ground, training of the thought process of "Nation First" also happens in NCC. This is the very patriotism received from NCC, this is the very leadership that gives inspiration to work for the country with full strength during difficult times. And this is exactly what NCC teaches us; we learn from there. When I was in NCC, my sentiment of "Nation First" was strengthened like this, and today I am feeling proud seeing you also learning the same in NCC.
Friends,
Operation Sindoor has once again established India's potential and the bravery of our army. Operation Sindoor has also shown how advanced and high-tech our indigenous weapons are.
Friends,
In today’s modern warfare, the role of youth skills has increased greatly. Now war is not limited only to tanks, guns, and shells on the border. Today's battle is fought on many fronts. Today's battle happens in code as well, and in the cloud as well. Countries that are behind in technology are weak not only in economy but also in security.
Therefore, friends,
As a youth, what new innovation we do for our country - this passion also strengthens patriotism and makes a big contribution to the security of the country. You all know, today new opportunities are being created in the armies for innovative young people even through tech. Today, the defense startups of our youth are doing wonders. Today, work is being done on Made in India drones; AI and Defense Innovation are now making our forces modern. That is, the possibilities are expanding greatly for you young friends. And today I want, not just those sitting here, but crores of youth of the country to take advantage of this.
Friends,
The country celebrated National Voters' Day just three days ago on 25th January. On this day, I also wrote a letter to the countrymen. National Voters' Day is the celebration of that sense of duty, of that right, which our Constitution has entrusted to every citizen. Today India is among those countries in the world where the number of young voters is the highest. When these youth become eligible to be voters, attain the age of 18 years, they get the power to make the destiny of the nation. Therefore, now we need to start a new tradition in the country. I want that in NCC-NSS and the "Mera Yuva Bharat" organization, the "MyBharat" organization, a big event should be organized every time on 25th January. On this day, there should be a grand program to honor first-time voters. I have full confidence that this effort will further strengthen the sense of responsibility in our younger generation and strengthen our democracy.
Friends,
The meaning of Developed India (Viksit Bharat) is not limited only to economic prosperity. How our conduct is as a citizen is also an important aspect of Developed India. As a citizen, we have to give the highest priority to our duty. For example, you see, although the government may have a contribution in starting the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, if anyone has carried it forward, I can say with pride that the work of carrying it forward has been done by the citizens of our country, by the youth, and by small children. Even inside the house and outside the house, cleanliness is a habit, a lifestyle, a value. We have to make this sense of civic duty a part of our lives. The beauty we want to see in our courtyard, we have to make our city beautiful with the same sentiment and keep it beautiful as well. I would say to every young friend present here that they must run some campaign related to cleanliness for one hour on some day in a week. NCC-NSS can do this very well. Definitely plan some activity or the other at some location of yours.
Friends,
I was happy to know that NCC has planted about 8 lakh trees under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. The trees we have planted should also grow well - it is our duty to see this too.
Friends,
A very big test of our youth power is how much fitter we will be in the coming time. Fitness is not limited only to a few minutes of exercise. This should also come into our nature. From our eating habits to our daily routine, a disciplined lifestyle is also necessary. It was pleasant for me to know that you are taking the Fit India campaign forward. The cadets of NCC have also performed well in sports.
Friends,
Today among you youth, I am raising the subject of obesity again. Studies say that in the coming time, every third person in India could be troubled by obesity. From this problem of obesity, risks of diabetes, blood pressure, and many such diseases are also arising in the country. Its most affected class can be our youth. Therefore, it is necessary that we remain alert from now; we should try to reduce our oil intake. Some time ago, I had urged to reduce the quantity of oil in food by 10 percent. Today, I will repeat that urge to all of you youth again.
Friends,
NCC does not just teach you drill (kadamtaal); this organization teaches you to live with responsibility as a citizen. Here you learn those skills, those values, which help you become a better citizen. The experiences you get in the Republic Day celebrations further refine your personality. May you be successful in every test of life, and may your contribution to the building of Developed India (Viksit Bharat) continue to shine. Many many best wishes to all of you.
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
And when the country is immersed in Vande Mataram 150 today, then come -
Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!
Vande Mataram! Vande Mataram!
Thank you very much.
