New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Saturday that the youth of India are the primary beneficiaries and key stakeholders in the nation’s development, making them a top priority. He noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) allows children to think beyond traditional textbooks, with middle school students learning coding and preparing for careers in AI and data science. This year’s budget includes plans to establish 50,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs.
The Prime Minister also pointed out the importance of access to diverse information sources for researchers. He introduced the “One Nation, One Subscription” initiative, which provides free access to prestigious journals for researchers across the country, alleviating the financial burden of costly subscriptions. The government plans to invest over Rs 6,000 crore in this initiative.
Modi stressed the need for top-notch research facilities for students in various fields, including space exploration, biotechnology, and AI, asserting that India’s children are poised to become future leaders. He shared inspiring experiences from Dr. Brian Greene’s interactions with IIT students and astronaut Mike Massimino’s visit to Central School students, expressing confidence that significant innovations will emerge from small schools in India.
He conveyed his vision of seeing India’s flag represented globally, stating that this is not a time for small ambitions. Modi dreams of having Indian brands in every market and home worldwide, envisioning “Made in India” as a global mantra. He hopes that people will think of “Heal in India” when seeking medical care, “Wed in India” for weddings, and choose India for travel, conferences, exhibitions, and concerts.
Highlighting the importance of fostering a positive mindset, he acknowledged the crucial role of networks and channels in this mission. Modi concluded by stating that the possibilities for India are limitless, and it is up to the nation to realize them with courage and determination, reaffirming the goal of becoming a developed nation within the next 25 years.