THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

VARANASI, OCTOBER 10, 2026

Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday called upon young Indians to become ambassadors of Viksit Bharat and place nation-building at the centre of their actions, saying the country's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 would depend on the energy, ideas, discipline and active participation of its youth.

Addressing the 'Youth for Viksit Bharat: MY Bharat Youth Convention' at Swatantrata Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), here, Mandaviya urged young people to move beyond individual aspirations and become active partners in India's development by contributing meaningfully to their communities and society. He emphasised that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 must be shaped by the youth, for the youth and through the youth.

The convention, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), brought together young achievers, sportspersons, digital content creators and emerging leaders to celebrate excellence and encourage greater youth participation in nation-building.

The programme was attended by Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Welfare and Sports Girish Chandra Yadav and Union Youth Affairs Secretary Sunil Paliwal. Indian cricketer Dhruv Jurel and Vishal Chaturvedi, director of 'Hanuman Ansh', also interacted with participants.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047, Mandaviya said today's young generation would be the one living in and leading the country at that milestone. He stressed that young citizens must recognise their responsibility in shaping India's future and work towards creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Highlighting the significance of India's cultural values, the minister said discipline, service, responsibility and respect were essential to nation-building. He observed that meaningful social transformation did not always require large-scale interventions, as small but sustained efforts could deliver significant results when pursued with commitment and purpose.

Mandaviya encouraged young people to identify the needs of their communities, translate their aspirations into constructive action and make themselves socially relevant through meaningful engagement. He also highlighted the opportunities offered by MY Bharat in volunteering, leadership, community service and experiential learning.

Emphasising that India's demographic strength could become a major developmental advantage when channelled towards a common national purpose, he said Viksit Bharat was not merely a destination for the country's youth but a national mission requiring their active involvement.

The minister also called upon young citizens to participate actively in the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Abhiyan, warning that substance abuse threatened the potential of young people, family well-being and national progress.

He urged the youth to spread awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse, promote healthier choices and mobilise communities towards building a drug-free society. He also encouraged young people to use their creativity and digital influence responsibly to drive positive social change.

A major highlight of the convention was the felicitation of achievers from sports, academics and digital content creation, recognising their accomplishments and their potential to inspire others.

Asian Games medallists Rohit Yadav, Prachi Choudhary, Parul Choudhary, Jay Kumar and Raj Kumar Pal were honoured for their sporting achievements. Arpit Giri, Aditya Upadhyay and Avantika, who cleared the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and secured admission to IIT (BHU), were also felicitated for their academic excellence.

The convention recognised digital content creators Prajwal Prajapati, Abhishek Chaurasiya, Amit Kumar Gautam, Harsh Gupta, Shivam Pandey, Suryanshu Shukla, Saurabh Chandra, Bhim Yadav, Shivaditya, Dishu Khanna and Aditya Maurya for their contributions to youth engagement, creative expression and positive social impact through digital platforms.

Interacting with the participants, cricketer Dhruv Jurel shared his experiences and highlighted the importance of discipline, commitment and perseverance in achieving excellence in sports. Vishal Chaturvedi spoke about creative expression and the role of music and cultural storytelling in connecting with young audiences.

The programme also featured a musical performance by Sadhu Tiwari, associated with 'Hanuman Ansh', besides folk music, a street play and a folk dance presented by MY Bharat volunteers. The performances showcased India's rich cultural heritage and underlined the role of art and culture in engaging young people.

The convention sought to strengthen MY Bharat's role in connecting young citizens with opportunities for volunteering, leadership, experiential learning and community participation. By bringing accomplished individuals and aspiring youth onto a common platform, it aimed to promote peer learning, amplify inspiring success stories and encourage wider participation in youth-led initiatives.

The event reaffirmed the importance of recognising young achievers, nurturing talent and creating opportunities for young Indians to contribute meaningfully to the country's development journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.