pm-modi-urges-youth-to-strengthen-ncc-in-116th-mann-ki-baat

My dear countrymen, Namaskar. ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is about celebrating the collective efforts of the nation, recognizing its achievements, and discussing the strength of its people.

 

It is about touching upon the dreams of our youth and the aspirations of the citizens. I eagerly wait for 'Mann Ki Baat' every month to connect with you directly. The flood of messages I receive is heartening, and my sincere effort is to read as many of them as possible and reflect on your suggestions.

 

Today is a very special day – it is NCC Day. The mention of NCC brings memories of our school and college days. I too was an NCC Cadet, and the experiences I gained are invaluable. The NCC instils a spirit of discipline, leadership, and service in the youth.

 

You must have noticed how, whenever a disaster occurs—be it a flood, earthquake, or accident—NCC cadets are always there, offering help. Efforts to strengthen the NCC across the country are ongoing. In 2014, around 14 lakh youth were part of the NCC, but now in 2024, the number has risen to more than 20 lakh.

 

Unlike before, NCC has now been introduced in over five thousand new schools and colleges. The participation of girl cadets has also grown significantly, from just about 25% in earlier years to nearly 40% today.

 

Additionally, there is a continued drive to connect youth from border areas to NCC. I urge all young people to join the NCC, as it plays a vital role in personal development, no matter what career you choose.

 

The youth’s role in building a developed India is paramount. When young minds come together and deliberate positively on the future of our nation, it helps chart a concrete path forward. On January 12, we celebrate ‘Youth Day’ on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

 

Next year will mark his 162nd birth anniversary, and this time, it will be celebrated in a very special way. A major event called ‘Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ will be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on January 11-12.

 

Crores of youth from across India will participate, with 2,000 youth selected from villages, districts, and states joining this event. I have previously urged youth without a political background to step into politics, and this dialogue will be a key part of that effort.

 

Experts from India and abroad will be present to engage with youth and explore how their ideas can help shape the future. I will also be a part of this event, and I look forward to hearing the innovative ideas of our youth. This is an incredible opportunity for those who will shape the future of India.

 

In previous editions of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ we have highlighted the efforts of youth who are working selflessly for the society and finding solutions to problems faced by the people.

 

One such example is Virendra from Lucknow, who helps elderly citizens with the Digital Life Certificate process. Previously, pensioners had to go to banks to submit life certificates, but this was cumbersome.

 

Thanks to the Digital Life Certificate system, seniors can now complete this process without leaving home. Youth like Virendra play a vital role in ensuring that the elderly do not face difficulties with technology, helping them become more tech-savvy.

 

Similarly, Mahesh from Bhopal has taught elderly residents in his locality how to use mobile phones for digital payments, while Rajiv from Ahmedabad educates people about the risks of digital fraud and "Digital Arrest," a scam targeting the elderly.

 

I am happy that our youth are actively participating in making our senior citizens aware of digital security, helping them stay safe from cyber crimes.

 

We also have several initiatives across the country aiming to enhance creativity and foster a love for books among children. A noteworthy example is a library in Chennai called Prakrith Arivagam, established by Shriram Gopalan, who wanted to promote learning and reading among children.

 

The library offers a wide variety of books, and also organises activities such as storytelling sessions, art workshops, memory training, and even robotics lessons. Such libraries are creating hubs of creativity and knowledge for children.

 

Friends, initiatives like the Food for Thought Foundation in Hyderabad and the Prayog Library in Bihar are making a significant impact, offering valuable educational resources to children and adults alike.

 

These efforts show how libraries can play a crucial role in strengthening society and promoting education. I recently returned from Guyana, a country in South America, where I witnessed the vibrant Indian diaspora.

 

Over 180 years ago, Indians were taken to Guyana as indentured labourers. Today, people of Indian origin are leading various sectors in Guyana, from politics to business and education.

 

It is inspiring to see how the Indian community has preserved its heritage while contributing to the development of their adopted country. I encourage you to look for stories of how Indian immigrants have made their mark across the globe and share them with me.

 

In Oman, a project is underway to preserve the history of Indian families who settled there centuries ago, particularly from Kutch, Gujarat. Thousands of documents, including diaries, letters, and ledgers dating back to 1838, are being collected to document their journey and contributions.

 

An ‘Oral History Project’ is also underway in India, where people are recording the experiences of those who lived through the horrors of Partition, ensuring that this important history is not forgotten.

 

Efforts to preserve India’s rich history are also being carried out through projects aimed at protecting ancient maritime evidence, with major initiatives like a museum being developed in Lothal. The preservation of historical documents and manuscripts is critical to ensuring that our history is maintained for future generations.

 

I also want to share with you an exciting update regarding the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. This tree-planting initiative has been a tremendous success, with over 100 crore trees planted across the country in just five months.

 

The campaign is now gaining momentum globally, with participation from places like Guyana. In India, records have been set with large-scale tree planting events, such as in Indore, where more than 12 lakh trees were planted in just 24 hours.