The Statesman | India will be world leader by 2047 due to youth dividend: Hardeep Puri

Mar 14,2023

Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep S Puri on Tuesday said the ”explosion” of startups in the country was a testament to the entrepreneurial culture that the youth of the country has inspired in recent years.

Speaking at the National Youth Conclave 2023, he said he was confident that India would be a world leader in all respects by 2047 due to the youth dividend.

Puri commended the organisers of the conclave for providing a platform to young people to amplify their concerns on issues such as climate change, the future of work, and youth in democracy.

Noting that the government was spending Rs 90000 croreson youth development programmes, the minister unveiled many knowledge products encapsulating innovations by youngsters in the field of urban development.

Highlighting the pivotal role of the youth in the Smart Cities Mission and in leading innovations across government departments, Puri said they have been nurtured and encouraged through various initiatives, to provide ‘out of the box’ solutions to help promote ease of living for India’s urban population.

He appreciated The Urban Learning Internship Programme (TULIP) and the India Smart Cities Fellowship Programme (ISCF) initiatives that have offered the youth, targeted learning and collaboration opportunities, and enhanced their professional development and employability.

Speaking at the valedictory session, Amitabh Kant, India’s ‘Sherpa’ for g20, reiterated the importance of orchestrating a pro-youth vision to ensure a thriving and equitable future for all.

He said the role of youth as change-makers and drivers of environmentally conscious behaviours, as the pillars of the economy, and as innovators and providers of cutting-edge solutions could not be understated.