NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday was celebrated on September 17 with warmth and enthusiasm. Such occasions invite us to look beyond the celebrations and reflect on the vision that has shaped his years in public life – and on what it means for the people whose future that vision seeks to serve.
The idea of a Viksit Bharat, a developed India, speaks to an aspiration shared in every home. Parents want good schools for their children. Young people want a fair chance to prove themselves and find meaningful work. Families want the security and dignity that come with better opportunities. These everyday hopes give the national ambition its purpose.
On November 15, 2023, the Prime Minister flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to help Government schemes reach the people. On December 11 that year, Viksit Bharat@2047: Voice of Youth invited young Indians to contribute their ideas for the country’s future. Together, the two initiatives point to a powerful principle: progress must reach people, and people must have a voice in shaping it.
That principle matters especially to young generation. Their energy and ambition can carry the country forward, but they also deserve institutions they can trust. Their questions about education, fair examinations, skills and employment call for serious attention. The protests over examination controversies, followed by then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, were a reminder of how deeply those concerns are felt.
In a democracy, admiration for a leader and scrutiny of public decisions can go hand in hand. The promise of a developed India is strengthened when achievements are celebrated, concerns are heard and results are measured by their effect on people’s lives.
Along with our birthday wishes to PM Modi, we should also renew a shared commitment: to make the journey towards 2047 visible in every classroom, every village and every young person’s opportunity to succeed. The most meaningful tribute to a national vision is a future in which every Indian can see a place.
