Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
Bharat Mata ki – Jai!
My colleagues in the Union Cabinet, Annapurna Devi ji, Savitri Thakur ji and Sukanta Majumdar ji, other distinguished personalities, all the guests who have come here from every corner of the country, and all the dear children,
Today, we are part of the celebration of the third 'Veer Bal Diwas'. Three years ago, our government began observing Veer Bal Diwas in eternal memory of the sacrifice of the brave Sahibzadas. Now, this day has become a festival of national inspiration for crores of countrymen and the entire nation. This day has inspired countless children and youth in Bharat with indomitable courage! Today, 17 children from across the country have been honoured for their achievements in bravery, innovation, science and technology, sports, and arts. All of them have demonstrated the incredible potential of Bharat’s children and youth. On this occasion, I bow with reverence at the feet of our Gurus and the brave Sahibzadas. I also extend my congratulations to all the children who have won awards, to their families, and convey my best wishes to them on behalf of the nation.
Friends,
While speaking with you all today, I will also reflect on the circumstances under which the brave Sahibzadas made their supreme sacrifice. It is equally important for today’s young generation to know about these events. That is why it is essential to repeatedly recall these incidents. About 325 years ago, on the 26th of December, the brave Sahibzadas gave their lives at a tender age. Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh were young in age, but their courage was higher than the skies. They rejected every temptation of the Mughal Empire, endured every atrocity, and when Wazir Khan ordered them to be bricked alive, they embraced it with utmost bravery. The Sahibzadas reminded the oppressors of the valour of Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Guru Gobind Singh. Their courage was the spiritual strength of our faith. The Sahibzadas accepted death but never wavered from the path of their beliefs. This day of Veer Bal Diwas teaches us that no matter how difficult the circumstances, no matter how adverse the times, nothing is greater than the nation and the nation’s welfare. Every act done for the country is a mark of bravery, and every child and youth who lives for the nation is a ‘Veer Balak’ (brave child).
Friends,
This year’s Veer Bal Diwas is even more special. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Indian Republic and our Constitution. In this 75th year, every citizen of the country is drawing inspiration from the brave Sahibzadas to work for the unity and integrity of the nation. Today, the strong democracy that Bharat takes pride in is built on the foundation of the Sahibzadas' bravery and sacrifice. Our democracy inspires us to work for ‘Antyodaya’ (the upliftment of the last person in society). The Constitution teaches us that no one in the country is superior or inferior. This policy and inspiration also echo the Gurus’ mantra of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’—the well-being of all. The Guru tradition has taught us to view everyone with equality, and the Constitution instils the same principle. The lives of the brave Sahibzadas teach us not to compromise on the nation's integrity and values. Similarly, the Constitution establishes the principle of keeping Bharat’s sovereignty and unity paramount. In a way, the vastness of our democracy embodies the teachings of the Gurus, the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, and the fundamental mantra of the nation's unity.
Friends,
From history to the present, youth energy has always played a significant role in Bharat’s progress. From the fight for independence to the movements of the 21st century, Bharat’s youth have contributed to every revolution. It is due to the strength of young people like you that the entire world looks at Bharat with hope and expectations. Today, from start-ups to science, from sports to entrepreneurship, the youth are driving new revolutions in Bharat. That is why our policies focus on empowering the youth as the government’s top priority. Whether it is the start-up ecosystem, the future of the space economy, the sports and fitness sector, the fintech and manufacturing industries, or skill development and internship programs, all policies are youth-centric, centred around young people, and aligned with their interests. Today, young people are getting new opportunities in every sector related to the nation’s development. Their talent and self-confidence are being supported by the government.
My young friends,
In today’s rapidly changing world, requirements are new, expectations are new, and the directions for the future are also new. This era has progressed beyond machines to the realm of machine learning. The use of AI is increasing, replacing conventional software. In every field, we can feel new changes and challenges. Therefore, we must prepare our youth to be futuristic. As you can see, the nation began preparing for this long ago. We introduced the new National Education Policy (NEP). We modernized education, giving it a broader scope and making it limitless. Many efforts are being made to ensure that our youth are not confined to just bookish knowledge. To make young children innovative, over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established across the country. To provide practical opportunities alongside education and to instill a sense of responsibility toward society in our youth, the ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ initiative has been launched.
Brothers and sisters,
Today, another major priority for the country is fitness! Only if the youth of the nation are healthy will the country become capable and strong. That is why we are running movements like ‘Fit India’ and ‘Khelo India’. These initiatives are increasing awareness about fitness among the youth of the country. A healthy young generation will lay the foundation for a healthy Bharat. With this vision, the ‘Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan’ (Nourished Village Campaign) is being launched today. This campaign will move forward entirely with public participation. To achieve a malnutrition-free Bharat, we aim to create a healthy competition among village panchayats, making nourished gram panchayats the foundation of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
Friends,
Veer Bal Diwas fills us with inspiration and motivates us to take on new resolutions. As I have said from the Red Fort: Now, only the best should be our standard. I urge my youth power to strive to make their respective sectors the best. If we work on infrastructure, we must ensure that our roads, rail networks, and airport infrastructure are the best in the world. If we work on manufacturing, we must ensure that our semiconductors, electronics, and automobiles are the best globally. If we focus on tourism, we must ensure that our tourist destinations, travel amenities, and hospitality are unmatched worldwide. If we work in the space sector, we must ensure that our satellites, navigation technology, and astronomy research are world-class. The inspiration and morale needed to set such ambitious goals come from the bravery of the Sahibzadas. Large goals are now our resolutions. The nation has full confidence in your capabilities. I know that the youth of Bharat, who can lead some of the world’s largest companies, who can guide the modern world with their innovations, and who can establish their expertise in every major country and field globally, will do incredible things for their country when given new opportunities. This is why the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is certain. The success of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) is assured.
Friends,
Time gives every country's youth the opportunity to change their nation’s destiny. It is a period when the youth, with their courage and capability, can transform their country. The country witnessed this during the freedom struggle when the youth of the nation shattered the arrogance of foreign rule. The goals set by the youth of that era were achieved with determination. Today’s youth now face the goal of creating a ‘Viksit Bharat’. In this decade, we must lay the foundation for rapid progress over the next 25 years. Therefore, Bharat’s youth must make the most of this time—advancing in every sector themselves and propelling the country forward. Earlier this year, I mentioned from the ramparts of Red Fort that I want to bring 100,000 youth into politics who do not come from families with any prior active political background. This is a crucial beginning for the next 25 years. I encourage our youth to become part of this movement so that a new generation emerges in the country’s politics. With this vision, at the beginning of next year, in 2025, the ‘Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue’ will be organized on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary. Millions of youth from villages, cities, and towns across the country are participating. This event will focus on discussions about the vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and its roadmap.
Friends,
The next five years of this decade will be extremely crucial for fulfilling the resolutions of ‘Amrit Kaal’. During this period, we need to harness the full strength of the nation’s youth. I am confident that with your support, cooperation, and energy, Bharat will reach unparalleled heights. With this resolution in mind, I once again bow my head in reverence to our Gurus, the brave Sahibzadas, and Mata Gujri ji.
Thank you all very much!
