Youth Should Become Brand Ambassadors for Developed India and Center Their Efforts on Nation Building: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized the 'Youth for Viksit Bharat: MY Bharat Youth Convention' through 'Mera Yuva Bharat' (MY Bharat) on October 10, 2026, at Swatantra Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. The primary objective of the convention was to bring together young talent from the fields of sports, education, and digital media on a single platform and inspire them toward nation-building.

Addressing the event, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya appealed to the youth not to view themselves merely as beneficiaries of the development journey, but to become active partners and brand ambassadors for 'Viksit Bharat.' Referring to the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, he stated that today's young generation will lead the India of the future; therefore, the creation of a developed India must be by the youth, for the youth, and through the youth. He encouraged them to rise above personal ambitions to make meaningful contributions to society and the nation.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of cultural values such as discipline, service, responsibility, and respect in nation-building. He noted that small and consistent efforts made with a clear purpose can lead to significant results. The Minister also highlighted the importance of the 'Drug-Free Youth for Viksit Bharat' campaign, stating that substance abuse is a major challenge to national progress. He called upon the youth to use their creativity and digital influence responsibly to build a drug-free society.

During the convention, youth who excelled in various fields were honored. In the sports category, Asian Games medalists Rohit Yadav, Prachi Chaudhary, Parul Chaudhary, Jai Kumar, and Raj Kumar Pal were recognized. In the academic sector, Arpit Giri, Aditya Upadhyay, and Avantika, who secured admission to IIT (BHU), were awarded. Additionally, digital content creators who created a positive social impact, including Prajwal Prajapati, Abhishek Chaurasia, Amit Kumar Gautam, Harsh Gupta, Shivam Pandey, Suryanshu Shukla, Saurabh Chandra, Bhim Yadav, Shivaditya, Dishu Khanna, and Aditya Maurya, were also honored.

On this occasion, Indian cricketer Dhruv Jurel shared his experiences regarding the importance of discipline and perseverance, while Vishal Chaturvedi, director of 'Hanuman Ansh,' discussed the role of creative expression and storytelling. The program featured a musical performance by Sadhu Tiwari, as well as folk music, street plays, and folk dances presented by MY Bharat volunteers.

The event was attended by Shri Girish Chandra Yadav, Minister of State for Youth Welfare and Sports (Independent Charge), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Shri Sunil Paliwal, Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs, Government of India. The convention emphasized the role of MY Bharat in connecting youth with opportunities for volunteering, leadership, and community participation.