PM Modi Interacts with participants of Viksit Vibrant Village Program 2026; Calls Youth the Nation's Greatest Strength
Interacting with participants of the 'Viksit Vibrant Village Program 2026' on Saturday, PM Narendra Modi urged India's youth to become active participants in nation-building. He described border villages as the foundation of a developed India ('Viksit Bharat').
Welcoming youth representatives from approximately 250 districts, he commended their enthusiasm and commitment to understanding the country's ground realities.
Youth-led transformation: PM
Highlighting the remarkable progress of the 'Mera Yuva Bharat' (MY Bharat) platform,PM Modi said that millions of young Indians are now contributing to national initiatives. He praised their role in programs like 'Viksit Bharat Samvad' and the 'Viksit Vibrant Village Program,' citing them as examples of youth-led transformation.
Recalling the vision behind this initiative, PM Modi stated that it was launched to encourage youth to move beyond virtual interactions and gain firsthand experience of life in India's border villages. More than 400 participants, selected from around three lakh applicants, visited villages in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh.
There, they learned about local traditions, interacted with residents, and experienced the patriotic spirit of these border regions. He described this cultural exchange as a vibrant example of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India).
Paying tribute to the armed forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Prime Minister said that the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers continue to inspire every Indian. He also recalled his long-standing association with border communities and his tradition of celebrating Diwali with soldiers stationed at the frontlines.
Modi emphasized that border villages—once considered the country's "last villages"—are now being recognized as India's "first villages." He said that improved infrastructure—including roads, electricity, tap water, gas connections, and internet facilities—has transformed the landscape of these remote areas. This has boosted agriculture, tourism, and local livelihoods, while also creating new opportunities for education and employment.
Encouraging participants to become ambassadors for border tourism, the Prime Minister urged every young person to share their experiences with at least 100 others, promote local culture and products via digital platforms, and inspire people to undertake educational visits to these regions.
Concluding his address, Modi expressed confidence that India's youth would shape the country's future. He stated that when young people engage directly with the nation's challenges and opportunities, they become the driving force behind the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).