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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the world is looking at India with ‘great expectations’, largely because of the country’s youth who are playing a leading role in science, technology and digital innovation, while also carrying forward India’s cultural roots.
Addressing the 129th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister highlighted the confidence the global community places in India’s younger generation.
“Today, the world is looking at India with great expectations. The biggest reason for this hope is our youth,” PM Modi said, adding that India’s achievements and technological advancements have impressed nations across the world.
The Prime Minister said India’s youth have always shown a strong desire to innovate and do something new, while remaining socially aware and responsible.
He noted that young Indians are contributing significantly to the country’s development across multiple sectors, particularly science, technology and digital platforms.
Highlighting opportunities for young people to present their ideas, PM Modi spoke about the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue.
He confirmed he will participate in the second edition of the programme on January 12, National Youth Day, marking Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
During the dialogue, youth will share ideas on key themes such as innovation, fitness, startups and agriculture.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the growing participation of young people in the initiative. He said a recent pitch competition linked to the programme witnessed participation from over 50 lakh young people.
An essay competition was also organised, where students expressed their views on various topics. Tamil Nadu secured the first position, while Uttar Pradesh finished second.
PM Modi said the country is giving young people new opportunities to showcase their talent through multiple platforms that highlight their skills and interests.
Balancing Technology with Cultural Roots
The Prime Minister also referred to the Smart India Hackathon 2025, which concluded earlier this month. He said students worked on more than 270 problem statements from over 80 government departments, offering solutions to real-life challenges.
These included innovative ideas on smart traffic management, tackling financial fraud and digital arrests, and proposing cybersecurity frameworks for digital banking in rural areas.
Many participants also focused on solving challenges related to the agriculture sector.
PM Modi noted that over the last seven to eight years, more than 13 lakh students and over 6,000 institutions have taken part in the Smart India Hackathon, delivering solutions to hundreds of problems. He urged young people to actively participate in such initiatives.
Emphasising that life is becoming increasingly technology-driven, the Prime Minister said staying connected to cultural roots is essential for holistic human development.
He expressed happiness that India’s younger generation is balancing modern innovation with traditional values.
Citing the example of the Indian Institute of Science, he recalled how a small music initiative by students evolved into Geetanjali IISc, now a cultural centre promoting classical and folk music.
He also highlighted efforts by Indians abroad, such as Kannada families in Dubai who launched Kannada Pathshale to help children stay connected to their language and heritage.
PM Modi said these examples reflect how India’s youth are shaping a confident, innovative and culturally rooted nation.
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