Text of PM’s Address to the Sri Lankan Parliament

Friends,

Today is a very important day for thousands of young people across the country. More than 51,000 youth have received appointment letters for government jobs today. You are becoming vital partners in the nation’s development journey, responsible partners. In railways, banking, defense, health, education, and many other sectors, you are going to take on new responsibilities. In the coming years, you will play a crucial role in fulfilling the resolve of a developed India.

Friends,

To reach this stage, you must have gone through long preparation and hard work. For this achievement, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your families. The contribution of your parents and families in bringing you here is immense. But it is not just the family-society also plays a very big role in helping us reach here. We do not arrive here only because of ourselves, or only because of our families. The contribution of this vast nation’s 1.4 billion citizens also holds great importance. Therefore, our responsibility is not only towards ourselves and our families, but equally towards society as a whole. I am confident that you will make yourselves even more capable for all these tasks. I wish you all the very best.

Friends,

You all know that just two days ago I returned from a visit to five countries. Though it was only five countries, during this time I had discussions and meetings with leaders of major companies from dozens of nations. Everywhere, I felt one thing in common-the world is very excited about India’s youth and India’s technological progress. Today the world wants to be part of India’s development journey. India too is partnering with different countries. The purpose is to ensure opportunities for India’s youth, to provide employment, and to let their potential shine. I want my country’s young people to gain global exposure as well. During this trip, for example, with the Netherlands we discussed semiconductors, water, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing; with Sweden, cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital innovation; with Norway, green technology and maritime cooperation; with the UAE, important agreements on strategic energy and technology partnerships; and with Italy, agreements in defense, critical minerals, and science & technology-areas of great importance.

Friends,

All these agreements will directly benefit India’s youth. You must have noticed that these subjects bring with them the guarantee of a bright and capable future for India. Every new investment, every technology partnership, every industrial collaboration not only brings new opportunities for India’s youth, but also creates countless fresh possibilities.

My young friends,

We must remember-these are the sectors where upcoming investments and partnerships will shape the industries that define global growth for the next three to four decades. And certainly, India’s youth will have a very significant role in this.

Friends,

Let me give you an example of how India is becoming a trusted supply chain partner for the world. Many of you are familiar with the Dutch semiconductor company ASML. ASML has signed an agreement with India’s Tata company. India is one of the very few countries in the world with which this company has entered into such an agreement. This single agreement between ASML and Tata Electronics will create countless new employment opportunities in India and open the gateway to next-generation technology. Similarly, technology and AI partnerships with Sweden, supercomputing cooperation with the UAE-these will greatly strengthen India’s technological capacity. These agreements will certainly generate new opportunities for our youth.

Friends,

Today, sectors related to clean energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, and sustainable manufacturing are growing rapidly. Partnerships in these areas are opening doors to a new economy and new opportunities. With countries like Sweden, Norway, and Italy, cooperation in green transition and sustainable technology is increasing. This will strengthen India in future industries connected to clean manufacturing. In addition, India has been working swiftly on agreements related to ports, shipping, and maritime infrastructure. Partnerships with the UAE and Norway will strengthen India’s shipbuilding ecosystem. And you know well that shipbuilding requires a large amount of skilled manpower. This means the demand for India’s engineers, technicians, and skilled workers will rise to levels you cannot even imagine, creating vast opportunities.

Friends,

With every new partnership, we are creating new pathways for Indian startups, researchers, and young professionals to connect with the world. This will give Indian youth access to advanced expertise, global markets, and new opportunities for growth. Today, the world respects those countries that innovate, that build, and that can deliver at scale. India is advancing rapidly in all three directions, and the greatest strength behind this transformation is you-my young companions, the youth of India. Wherever I go in the world, I spend considerable time discussing India’s youth power.

Friends,

Today every Indian is moving forward with a great resolve-the resolve to build a developed India by 2047. To achieve this goal, the country is investing in different sectors. This investment is creating millions of new employment opportunities for the youth. For example, India is building the entire supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing. In the coming years, India’s ten major semiconductor units will make their mark globally. These will be powered by the capability, intellect, and commitment of India’s youth-and naturally, they will generate employment. India is also developing an ecosystem for shipbuilding, ship repair, and overhauling. For this, an investment of about 75,000 crore rupees is being made. Similarly, we are building a complete MRO ecosystem-maintenance, overhaul, and repair facilities-within India. This will greatly support the aviation sector and open a new employment sector for India’s youth.

Friends,

India today is a major electronics manufacturer. We are building the complete value chain of electronics within India itself. Through the PLI scheme, record production of electronics is happening in the country, and millions of jobs are being created for the youth.

Friends,

On many such campaigns, India’s public and private sectors together are making massive investments. These investments are giving jobs to the youth within the country and fulfilling their dreams. As government employees-an identity you will now carry after receiving your appointment letters-you must always remember how important ease of doing business is for the nation.

Friends,

India’s growth story and employment generation-both are well known to you. Infrastructure plays a huge role in this. When villages, small towns, and remote areas are connected to development, then the benefits of progress reach more people. In the past twelve years, there has been unprecedented expansion in railways, highways, airports, logistics, ports, and digital infrastructure. Development has taken place at every level. Today, if you travel 100 kilometers in any direction, you will see some project of the Government of India underway. Even villages are witnessing rapid change. With improved connectivity, new pathways have opened for farmers, small traders, and students. Today, millions of families have received permanent houses. In fact, the number of houses we are building exceeds the total housing stock of many countries. Not only that, I never let people forget my Swachh Bharat campaign, nor do I forget it myself-where toilets play a very important role, and we are emphasizing that too. Electricity has reached millions of homes. Rooftop solar energy has brought many new vendors into the field. And with the Jal Jeevan Mission, water is reaching homes through taps. I was recently observing that when I wanted PNG connections to expand in cities, I faced a shortage of plumbers-because so many plumbers were already engaged in the Jal Jeevan Mission. This shows how sometimes the demand for skilled people exceeds supply, and how rapidly opportunities are growing.

Friends,

The impact of these changes is not limited to the convenience of ordinary citizens. When roads reach villages, access to markets becomes easier. With improved electricity facilities, small industries and businesses begin to grow. Even in villages, agriculture starts to see value addition. Earlier, if they sold red chilies, now with electricity they produce chili powder, package it, and sell it. Thus, small industries in villages keep expanding. With increased digital connectivity, villagers are connecting with the entire world, embracing modernity. The difference between cities and villages is gradually disappearing. This has accelerated the pace of the economy. And all of this has a positive effect that guarantees a brighter future for the youth of the nation. Jobs are created, but beyond that, the nation moves forward with new self-respect, and millions of people gain new opportunities.

Friends,

Today, the youth of India have opportunities to move forward and fulfill their dreams like never before. I am not blaming anyone, but the reality is that everything is happening at great speed, on a vast scale, and with immense diversity. Manufacturing, technology, startups, digital services, railways, defense, and even space-countless opportunities await us in these sectors. Our effort is to ensure that as many young people as possible can benefit from these opportunities, and that the youth of the country get every chance to showcase their talent. That is why continuous emphasis is being placed on skill development, industry-linked education, and future technologies. ITIs are being modernized. National Skill Training Institutes are being strengthened. Campaigns like PM SETU are working in this direction.

Friends,

In recent years, a new culture of self-employment and entrepreneurship has developed in the country. India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Remember this figure-there are more than 230,000 recognized startups in the country. And each of them involves groups of young people. The important point is that this change is not limited to big cities, and that gives me the greatest satisfaction. Nowadays, youth from tier-2 and tier-3 cities are also showing their strength in the world of startups and innovation in large numbers. Their capabilities are being recognized. This transformation has become an important part of the nation’s economy. In this change, the role of our women power is also continuously increasing. Today, a large number of women-led startups fill us with pride. I tell people around the world that women in India are playing a major role in startups, and many are coming forward in large numbers. Under the Mudra Yojana, millions of women have received financial support. Schemes like PM SVANidhi have given millions of women the opportunity to become self-reliant. Today, in villages and small towns, more women than ever before are starting new ventures on their own.

Friends,

Amidst these policies and decisions, you must remember one more thing. The real strength of any system lies in its people. The power of the people, the “jan shakti,” becomes the power of the nation. The system you are becoming part of is directly connected to the lives of millions of citizens, to their hopes and aspirations. Government jobs are a medium to make people’s lives easier. Whatever department you work in, your behavior, sensitivity, and working style will matter greatly. The nation has placed its trust in you. Now it is your responsibility to strengthen that trust through your work, conduct, speech, and behavior. Meeting you should fill citizens with new confidence and inspire them to move forward with new hope. Therefore, every young karmayogi must see their work as a responsibility.

For me, you are much more. In earlier times, we heard of “Sahasrabahu”-those with a thousand arms. Today, you are the arms of the government, its strength. Those already in service and those newly joining are all part of this. The aspirations of India’s people are rising, and I see this as a positive sign of development. We must understand the aspirations of our people and work at the same speed to meet them. In this, the role of young people entering public service has become very important. You must keep learning continuously. You must prepare yourself for new technologies, new systems, and new needs. The iGOT Karmayogi platform will help you greatly in this. Modules like Karmayogi Prarambh will make it easier for you to understand your responsibilities. I urge you to make the most of these resources.

Friends,

Today, India’s youth are making their mark in every field across the world. The same spirit, the same energy must also be visible in public service. A developed India will be built through the efforts of such youth who see their work as a medium of service to the nation, service to the people. And in our tradition, it is said-public service is divine service. I am fully confident that the young companions receiving appointment letters today will give new momentum to India’s development journey. Through your work and decisions, the resolve of a developed India will be fulfilled. And you must never forget our mantra-Citizen is Divine. The welfare of the citizens is our duty. Once again, I extend my best wishes to all the youth receiving appointment letters today, for their future and for fulfilling this opportunity of serving the nation. Thank you all very much.