PM’S MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH AT IIT DELHI:DEVANAND SINGH

PM’S MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH AT IIT DELHI:DEVANAND SINGH

9-AUG-ENG 10

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------Addressing the youth at the 57th Convocation of IIT Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a lighthearted remark: "I may not be Baba Bageshwar, but I suppose I might have some intuition." While this remark elicited laughter in the auditorium, the serious message underlying it is deeply connected to the future of the youth and the nation-building process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s lighthearted comment at IIT Delhi’s 57th convocation—"I am not Baba Bageshwar, but surely something must be going on [in your minds]"—certainly amused the students, yet the message concealed within it is far more profound. In essence, the Prime Minister articulated the anxieties, dreams, and possibilities regarding the future that occupy the minds of young people.

A convocation ceremony is not merely a formal milestone in a student's life; it marks the beginning of a phase where young people step out of classrooms and laboratories to confront the challenges of the real world. Some aspire to secure a job, others wish to launch a startup, some prepare for competitive examinations, while others explore new opportunities both at home and abroad. Dreams and paths may differ, but the fundamental question remains: how will these dreams shape the future of the nation?

This is precisely where the Prime Minister’s message—"We have faith in you; the country needs you"—becomes significant.

Today, India boasts one of the youngest populations in the world. Young graduates emerging from institutions like IIT do not merely build their own careers; through technology, industry, science, startups, and administration, they ...shape the direction of India. Therefore, the success of the youth cannot be viewed solely through the lens of individual achievement.

However, an equally important question arises here: are we merely inspiring the youth to dream, or are we also providing them with equal opportunities to turn those dreams into reality?

The goal of a 'Developed India' cannot be achieved through impressive economic statistics alone; it also requires employment, quality education, research, innovation, social justice, and equality of opportunity. Opportunities for advancement must be available not only to graduates from the country's premier institutions but also to talented individuals from small towns, villages, and ordinary families.

The Prime Minister has spoken about the impact the decisions made by the youth over the next 30–35 years will have. This message is not limited to IIT students alone; the India that today's youth build will define the identity of future generations.

Thus, while the reference to 'Baba Bageshwar' may have brought smiles to the audience, the true prophecy does not lie with any 'Baba.' India's future will be shaped by the mindset, hard work, integrity, and decisions of its youth.

If the youth ask only what the country can give them, development will remain incomplete. But when they also ask what they can contribute to the country, only then will the dream of a 'Developed India' move towards becoming a reality.

The degree received at the convocation ceremony is not merely a certificate of completed education but also a document signifying the onset of responsibility. The question is not just how many careers these degrees will launch, but rather how strong, self-reliant, and compassionate an India these talented individuals will help build.

In this way, the IIT Delhi convocation ceremony did more than just award degrees; it entrusted the younger generation with the responsibility of nation-building. Every young person in the country is urged to strengthen the foundation of a 'Developed India' through their skills and enthusiasm.