Taking an indirect dig at the Gandhi-Nehru family, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exhorted the youth for participation in democracy to “dilute” the dynasty politics in the country.
While inaugurating the 27th National Youth Festival (NYF) in Nashik in north Maharashtra, Modi said: “There is a reason for this hope, this aspiration — India is the Mother of Democracy. The greater the participation of youth in democracy, the better will be the future of the nation. The participation of youth will dilute dynasty politics”.
“First-time voters can bring new energy and strength to our democracy,” the Prime Minister said. “The upcoming 25 years of Amrit Kaal is a period of duty for you...When you keep your duties paramount, the society will progress and the country will also progress,” the Prime Minister said.
Recalling his request made to the Youth in the country from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister urged the youth to promote the use of local products, make use of only `Made in India’ products, keep away from any kind of drugs and addiction, raise their voices against using abusive words in the name of mothers, sisters and daughters and put an end to such evils.
Expressing confidence that the youth of India will fulfill every responsibility with full devotion and ability, Modi said: “The lamp that we have lit to realize the dream of a strong, capable and competent India will become an immortal light and illuminate the world in this immortal age”
Highlighting the tradition of keeping Yuvashakti paramount, Modi quoted Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda. “Swami Vivekanand filled the county with new energy and enthusiasm during the period of slavery,” he said.
The Prime Minister credited the youth power for India’s entry into the top 5 economies of the world. He also mentioned India being among the top 3 startup ecosystems, record number of patents, and becoming a major manufacturing hub as a manifestation of the youth power of the nation.
Reiterating his his faith in the young generation, Modi said, “A young generation is being prepared in the country, which is completely free from the pressure and influence of slavery. The youth of this generation are saying with confidence – development as well as heritage.”
The Prime Minister said that the world was recognizing the value of yoga and Ayurveda and Indian youth is becoming brand ambassadors of Yoga and Ayurveda.
Urging the youth to enquire through their grandparents about the consumption of bajra roti, kodo-kutki, ragi-jowar during their times, the Prime Minister said out that it was the mentality of slavery which led to this food being associated with poverty and found its way out of Indian kitchens.
Averring that his the government has given a new identity to millets and coarse grains as super-foods, thereby making a comeback in Indian households as Shree Anna, Modi said: “Now you have to become the brand ambassador of these cereals. Your health will also improve with food grains and small farmers of the country will also benefit”, Modi added.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur and Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Nisith Pramanik were among those present at the NYF inaugural ceremony.