Noida: Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan has urged young Indians to harness their skills, creativity and innovative abilities to help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Addressing students and learners at an institution in Noida, Murugan emphasised the importance of quality education, lifelong learning, skill development and entrepreneurship in preparing the country’s youth for emerging opportunities.
Highlighting the role of young people in nation-building, the minister referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of placing youth power at the centre of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. He stressed the need to build an ecosystem connecting education with skills, technology, research, entrepreneurship and employment.
Education for a Changing World
Murugan highlighted the role of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in making education more flexible, multidisciplinary and skill-oriented. He said lifelong learning was essential in a rapidly changing world, enabling individuals to acquire new competencies throughout their careers. He also underscored the importance of online education in expanding access to learning and helping students adapt to evolving professional requirements.
Expanding Access to Knowledge and Research
The minister described the government’s One Nation One Subscription initiative as an important step towards widening access to quality academic research and global knowledge resources. Emphasising equitable access to learning, he said opportunities for research should not be restricted by institutional or geographical boundaries.
“Talent is everywhere, and opportunities should be everywhere,” he said.
Employment, Skills and Entrepreneurship
Referring to employment generation, Murugan highlighted the contributions of infrastructure development, manufacturing, services, entrepreneurship and skill development. Citing RBI-KLEMS data, he said India generated approximately 17.1 crore jobs between 2014-15 and 2023-24.
He urged young people to look beyond academic degrees and develop practical skills, problem-solving abilities and confidence to meet the demands of a changing economy. He also encouraged them to cultivate entrepreneurial capabilities that would enable them to innovate and create employment opportunities for others.
Emerging Technologies and the Creative Economy
Murugan encouraged students to explore opportunities at the intersection of technology and creativity, particularly in artificial intelligence, gaming, animation, visual effects, extended reality and digital content.
He called upon young Indians to move beyond being consumers of technology and content to become creators for global markets. Continuous learning, experimentation and innovation, he said, would be essential for participating in emerging technology-driven industries.
Constitutional Values and Responsible Citizenship
The minister also stressed the importance of constitutional values in education and nation-building. Referring to the Fundamental Duties enshrined in the Constitution, he called for nurturing scientific temper, curiosity and a commitment to excellence among young citizens.
Concluding his address, Murugan urged young Indians to keep learning, creating and generating opportunities for others. He said the country’s progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047 would depend significantly on the ability of its youth to acquire skills, embrace innovation and contribute to a more prosperous nation.
