Hubballi, Karnataka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the National Youth Festival in Karnataka on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
The 26th edition of the National Youth Festival, which will be held till January 16 at Hubballi-Dharwad, is being organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur; Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports S. Nisith Pramanik were among other dignitaries present on the occasion.
The inaugural event was held at the Railway Sports Ground in Hubbali, was attended by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Anurag Singh Thakur among others.
Earlier on his way to the venue, the Prime Minister held a road show by greeting a large number of people, who had gathered on both sides of the route, and showered flower petals as his cavalcade passed through the stretch slowly.
Addressing on the occasion, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of National Youth Day in the year 2023, and remarked that on one hand, we have the exuberant National Youth Festival and on the other hand there is the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached,” the Prime Minister exclaimed quoting Swami Vivekananda Ji and said that it is the life mantra of the youth of India and said that we must emphasise and understand our duties to take the country forward in the Amrit Kaal.
The Prime Minister highlighted the inspiration from Swami Vivekananda Ji derived by the youth of India in this endeavour. “I bow my head at the feet of Swami Vivekananda Ji on this special occasion”, the Prime Minister remarked.
Prime Minister reminded the changing nature of national goals in the light of changing times and said that this time of the 21st century is very important as today India is a young country with a huge young population.
“Yuva Shakti is the driving force of India’s journey. The next 25 years are important for building the nation. The dreams and aspirations of Yuva Shakti decide India’s direction and destination and Yuva Shakti’s passion decides India’s path,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said that India today is the 5th largest economy and “our goal is to take it into the top 3”.
The Prime Minister reiterated emerging opportunities in the agriculture and sports sector and credited the power of the youth for this revolution. The Prime Minister emphasised the role of women’s power in keeping the nation’s strength alive and touched upon the instances of women shining in the armed forces, space technology, space, and sports.
