Chandigarh: CU Gharuan on Friday (12 January) organized its National Youth Summit ‘Evoke-2024’ on the occasion of National Youth Day which marked the 161st birth anniversary of influential spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda.
A panel discussion was held on the occasion wherein distinguished personalities from different fields including administration, media, and entertainment shared their views and opinions on the topic ‘Youth – The Architect of Viksit Bharat’. These panellists stressed the need of India’s youth taking the right education and choosing the right kind of icons to realise the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’.
Two times national award-winning filmmaker and bestselling author, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, 2011-batch IAS officer Abhishek Singh, eminent stand-up comedian Appurv Gupta, Executive Editor India Today Group, Amit Tyagi and motivational speaker and content creator, Sonam C Chhabra included the distinguished guests who participated in the event.
While participating in the discussion, filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri said, “India is a young nation, and since the highest population in India comprises the youth, it’s the youth who should be actively involved in how to lead the country. The policies for the youth should be made after consultation with them.”
He said that instead of pursuing foreign dreams, youth should look forward to realising their dreams in India. Cautioning the youth against making the few India icons like Sundar Pichai (Alphabet CEO) who have made it big abroad and are heading MNCs, he said those who migrate abroad live a very unhappy life and lose all their independence.
Agnihotri said the shared dream of many middle-class Indians to study and work abroad is the biggest enemy of the youth. Agnihotri said when a person moves to another country, he or she becomes a slave in the concerned country. He said such people are made to do labour work 24-hours a day and they lose all their interest in life.
“The political movement of NRI has gained momentums because Indians living abroad for 50 years regret their decision to migrate and they want to come back for contributing in India’s development,” Agnihotri said adding India is the best country in the world to live,” he added.
IAS officer Abhishek Singh, who is founder of student-run think tank SIGMA (Students for Involved Governance and Mutual Action) and Honorary Advisor to BRICS CCI, stressed the need of new thinking, new energy, curiosity and willingness to learn, and dynamism in youth. “Prime Minister Modi, embodying a vibrant perspective and energy, stands as an icon of youth himself,” he said.
He further said, “Prime Minister Modi has not only shown us the direction but also given us a timeframe of 25 years to implement the policies which will take the nation on the path of becoming ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’. The schemes launched by Modi Government have been designed keeping the aspirations of today’s youth in mind, such as PM Mudra Yojana, which provides financial support to today’s youth that wants to be entrepreneurs and job-creaters rather than the jobseekers.”
Eminent journalist Amit Tyagi cautioned youth against the content being served to them through contemporary cinema and other platforms.
“In every era, movies have been made about the youth, but in contemporary times, the films stimulate thought process, engaging the youth in it. Cinema is the mirror of society, depicting its ongoing dynamics. Therefore, the success of a film cannot solely be judged by its box office figures, but rather based on the impact it leaves. However, one must be smart, aware, and cautious while watching content. If you choose to watch good content, it will cultivate positive and constructive thoughts,” he said.
Stressing the need of education, Standup comedian Appurv Gupta said education transforms individuals and provides numerous opportunities and broadens the perspectives about things.
“For instance, college helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and instilled confidence in me. But the times have changed now, and today’s youth, with just the internet and a 60-second showcase of their talent, can reach anywhere in the world. Once your education is complete, you’ve identified your talents, and can secure your finances, thereafter, everything will eventually fall into place,” he added.
Motivational Speaker, Sonam C Chhabra said India holds the distinction of being the world’s youngest country, and the power of Indian youth is immense.
“The average age of Indian youth is 29, and an astonishing 65% of the population is below the age of 35, which is a demographic feature unparalleled by any other country. This shows that there is so much potential within the Indian youth, and they have the capability to make substantial contributions to the country,” she said advising youth to carefully choose their icons as influence of such icons can make a significant difference on the lives of the individuals.
Pro-Chancellor Chandigarh University, Prof. (Dr.) R.S. Bawa and a large number of Chandigarh University students were also present on the occasion. Youth Summit ‘Evoke’ is annual fixture of the Chandigarh University since 2014 and aims to discuss youth-oriented topics.
Earlier welcoming the guests after lamp lighting ceremony and paying floral tributes to Swami Vivekananda, Prof. (Dr.) R.S. Bawa stressed the advantage India holds by having the youngest population in the world.
“India is the world’s youngest nation with about 60% young people, which is the highest proportion globally. And our Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat by 2047’ can only be made possible by involving the youth in the process. It is a responsibility, distinction, and an honour for the youth that the nation has placed so much faith in them to lead the country forward. The youth should strengthen their resolve, dream big, and generate innovative ideas to actively contribute to the process of nation-building,” he said.
