Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the National Youth Festival 2022 in Puducherry and called upon the youth to research and write about the freedom fighters who did not get the recognition they deserved.
"We have had many fighters in the freedom struggle, whose contribution did not get the recognition that they deserved. The more our youth write, research about such dignitaries, the more awareness will increase in the coming generations of the country," Modi said during the 25th edition of the National Youth Festival.
January 12, being the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, is observed as National Youth Day.
During the 25th edition of the Nationa Youth Festival celebration, the prime minister unveiled selected essays on Mere Sapno ka Bharat and Unsung Heroes of Indian Freedom Movement. These essays have been selected from submissions by over 1 lakh youth on the two themes.
Modi also inaugurated a Technology Centre of the MSME Ministry, established at Puducherry with an investment of about Rs 122 crore. He also inaugurated the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Manimandapam - an auditorium with an open-air theatre, constructed by the government of Puducherry at a cost of about Rs 23 crore.
Union Ministers Anurag Singh Thakur, Narayan Rane, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma and Nisith Pramanik, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan Chief Minister of Puducherry N Rangaswamy, state ministers and parliamentarians were among those present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the young generation at the time of independence did not hesitate for a moment to sacrifice everything for the country. But today's youth has to live for the country and fulfil the dreams of our freedom fighters.
Modi said the youth’s ability is not burdened by old stereotypes, he knows how to shake them. This youth can evolve itself and society according to new challenges, new demands and can create new ones. The Prime Minister remarked that today's youth has a 'Can Do' spirit which is a source of inspiration for every generation.
Also, calling upon the youth to be vocal and contribute in the drive for cleanliness, the prime minister said the National Youth Festival aims to shape the minds of India's youth and transform them into a united force for nation-building. It is one of the biggest exercises in social cohesion and intellectual & cultural integration. It aims to bring diverse cultures of India and integrate them into a united thread of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
