PM Modi at Veer Bal Diwas: World looks at us due to youth power, focus is to empower them

Underlining that the government’s biggest policy focus is empowering the youth, he said, “All policies, whether for the start-up ecosystem, future of the space economy, sports and fitness sector, fintech and manufacturing industry, or skill development and internship schemes, are youth-centric and aimed at benefiting young people.”

He pointed out the need to make the youth futuristic, given the shift from traditional software to AI and the rise of machine learning.

The PM launched the ‘Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan’, which aims at improving the nutritional outcomes and well-being by strengthening implementation of nutrition-related services to eliminate malnutrition and form the basis of developed India.

The programme will involve a competition among anganwadis, and a total of 1,000 gram panchayats will get Rs 1 lakh while a part of this amount will be used for better nutrition in the anganwadis.

Modi also lauded the 17 children who were conferred with Veer Baal awards.

Recalling the sacrifice of the brave Sahibzadas — Sahib Zorawar Singh and Sahib Fateh Singh — the PM said that over three centuries earlier they sacrificed their lives and rejected all temptations of the Mughal sultanate, enduring all atrocities and chose to embrace the death sentence ordered by Wazir Khan with utmost bravery. The Sahibzadas chose to sacrifice their lives but never wavered from the path of faith and it was imperative for the youth to know about their saga of bravery, he said.

The Sahibzadas, he said, reminded him of the valour of Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Guru Gobind Singh and this bravery was the spiritual strength of our faith.

“Veer Bal Diwas teaches us that no matter how difficult the circumstances, nothing is greater than the nation and national interest. Every act done for the country is an act of bravery and every child and youth living for the country is a veer balak,” he said.

“This year’s Veer Bal Diwas is even more special as it marks the 75th year of the establishment of the Indian Republic and our Constitution,” the PM said, adding that every citizen is drawing inspiration from the brave Sahibzadas. “The Constitution teaches us that no one is small or big in the country,” said Modi and added that this principle aligns with the teachings of the Gurus.