PM Urges States to Transform 70 Crore Youth into Development Dividend for Viksit Bharat@2047

PM Urges States to Transform 70 Crore Youth into Development Dividend for Viksit Bharat@2047​

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The meeting, themed Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047, saw participation from Chief Ministers, Lt. Governors and Administrators representing all 28 States and 5 UTs. This event marked a historic instance where the Chief Ministers of every state participated in the Governing Council Meeting.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that while global major economies face uncertainty, India's growth story continues to inspire the world. He stressed the need for strengthening national resolve toward self-reliance and implementing global best practices, particularly within the renewable energy sector.

Harnessing Demographic Dividend and Economic Opportunities​

Highlighting the strength of India’s human capital, PM Modi observed that the nation’s youth form its greatest asset, noting nearly 70 crore Indians are below the age of 25. This demographic dividend must be effectively converted into a development dividend through robust skilling and capacity-building initiatives for future readiness.

The Prime Minister encouraged states to create targeted opportunities for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and youth to benefit from India’s recently concluded trade agreements. He further urged states to actively attract investment from partner countries to strengthen economic resilience.

Focus on Good Governance and Social Resilience​

Good governance, transparency, and robust infrastructure were stressed as crucial elements for attracting foreign investment. States were urged to focus intensively on branding and improving ease of doing business. The Prime Minister emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) must be embraced as a significant opportunity requiring people to be equipped with future-ready skills.

Furthermore, states must tackle emerging social challenges through concerted efforts, including preventive measures and awareness campaigns against drug abuse and cyber fraud. The PM also underscored the importance of women empowerment, setting a goal for increasing Lakhpati Didis from 3 crore to 6 crore while ensuring safety for Nari Shakti.

Agricultural Security and Manufacturing Push​

The Prime Minister directed states to focus on One District One Product (ODOP) initiatives and develop export-oriented strategies around these products. He also highlighted defense manufacturing as an emerging sector where India is establishing a distinct identity, requiring proactive policy formulation at the state level.

Addressing environmental concerns raised by El Niño conditions, he appealed to all states to promote water conservation and encourage natural and organic farming practices. This focus was underscored by the purchase of 11 lakh tonnes of organic manure by farmers during the current Kharif season.

Aspirational Approach for District-Level Transformation​

A significant emphasis was placed on evaluating progress at the district level using aspirational parameters. The Prime Minister suggested that, following this model, 100 districts should be identified in agriculture to drive positive and phenomenal change through the aspirational approach.

He set forth a framework requiring targeted 100-day goals and five-year goals for all states to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. This involves leveraging opportunities in critical sectors like data centres alongside AI development.

States Pledge Solidarity Amid Global Turmoil​

The Chief Ministers, Lt Governors and Administrators present congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his 12 years in office. They also expressed deep solidarity with the Centre. They committed to strengthening India's resilience against the ongoing global geo-political crisis concerning energy requirements and sustained growth trajectory.

Prime Minister Modi concluded by expressing gratitude for all participation. He stated that the discussions were highly constructive, reflecting both the aspirations and the challenges of the states, reiterating his confidence in achieving a Viksit Bharat through cooperation and innovation.