The Union Cabinet has given its nod for the creation of an autonomous body, "Mera Yuva Bharat" (MY Bharat), which, as Union Minister Anurag Thakur emphasized, will play a pivotal role as a comprehensive facilitative mechanism for youth-driven development.
This initiative will be dedicated to the nation on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary, which falls on October 31. Its purpose is to offer an equitable platform for young individuals to realize their ambitions and contribute to the development of a prosperous India by channelling their energy.
Elaborating on the decisions taken during the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thakur explained that the fundamental aim of 'Mera Yuva Bharat' (MY Bharat) is to transform it into an all-encompassing governmental platform for youth development.
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Within this new framework, with access to resources and opportunities, young people will evolve into community change agents and builders of the nation, acting as a bridge, or 'Yuva Setu,' between the government and the citizens.
The initiative seeks to harness the tremendous energy of the youth for the purpose of nation-building. It aims to achieve youth-led development by instilling a "Kartavya Bodh" (sense of duty) and "Seva Bodh" (sense of service) during the Amrit Kaal.
The platform is designed to benefit youth aged 15 to 29, aligning with the definition of 'Youth' as outlined in the National Youth Policy. It will facilitate their voluntary participation in various government initiatives.
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This age group represents 27 percent of India's population, and the platform will consolidate various youth-related schemes conducted by the Youth Program Department and other ministries.
To strengthen India and empower it, it is imperative to inculcate the values of service and a sense of duty among the youth. Their thinking should encompass the nation's philosophy and history, fostering the passion to make India self-reliant.
To achieve these objectives, it is essential to manage youth-related schemes and programs in a focused manner, consolidating them under an integrated digital platform. This approach will align the aspirations of young people with the needs of the community and also fulfill the objective of voluntary community participation set out in the National Education Policy 2020.
Thakur stressed that this initiative will enhance the leadership skills of young individuals through experiential learning, transitioning from isolated physical interactions to programmatic skills. Greater investment in youth will make them social innovators and community leaders.
By prioritizing youth-led development, this program aims to make them "active drivers" of progress, rather than mere "passive recipients."
What did the Prime Minister and Home Minister say?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the government's decision to establish 'Mera Yuva Bharat' (MY Bharat) platform will go a long way in furthering the youth-led development and giving wings to the aspirations of India's talented youth.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote a post on X about the initiative, saying, "The new autonomous body 'Mera Yuva Bharat' (MY Bharat) approved by the Union Cabinet today will be a pool of our youth power which will fuel India's growth into a new future. The primary objective of this platform is youth development. The ideas, aspirations and diligence of our youth will unite on this platform which will open for them access to the entire government and the opportunity to contribute to nation-building. My heartfelt gratitude to PM @narendramodiJi for this visionary decision."
