Youth are main drivers on India’s Viksit Bharat journey: Raksha Mantri

"Youth are the main drivers on the nation's journey towards Viksit Bharat," said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh as he interacted with 78 young, ignited minds of Uttar Pradesh at an event in Delhi Cantt on January 10, 2026. This UP contingent is among the youth who are participating in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in New Delhi from January 10-12, 2026. Commending the Youth Leaders for their achievements in various fields, Raksha Mantri exuded confidence that their energy, aspirations, and innovative capabilities are guiding the nation to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat.

Shri Rajnath Singh called upon the youth to embrace multidisciplinary learning to stay abreast with the rapid technological advancements, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space research. "The learning process never ends. You should learn from the latest practices, from your own mistakes, and most importantly, from the experiences of others. Dream big, but never let it become a burden," he said.

Describing challenges as not an exception to life but its natural part, Raksha Mantri emphasised that testing times reveal a person's true inner self and character. "It's easy to remain composed when things are moving ahead as planned. But criticism and failure are what test a person's mettle, ultimately determining the future direction. However, not being afraid doesn't mean taking problems lightly; it means we should face them with courage, wisdom, and self-confidence," he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh urged the youth to not view a challenge as a burden, rather an opportunity, which recognises and enhances one's capabilities while strengthening character. "Easy paths often make us weak, while difficult paths make us strong, resilient, and capable. Complaining doesn't solve a problem, finding a solution does. Self-confidence is the key, which isn't achieved from ego, but from hard work and integrity. One should also always remain humble as your achievements are not just yours alone but are a contribution of family, teachers, and friends. Humility keeps you grounded," he told the youth present on the occasion.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare) Smt Sukriti Likhi and other senior officials were present during the interaction.

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