Srinagar: Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said youth must be equal partners and not just beneficiaries in building Viksit Bharat 2047.
The minister was speaking at the three-day Chintan Shivir of ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports from states and Union Territories (UTs) that commenced at the SKICC here.
The Shivir is being led by Mandaviya, who is the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports; and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse.
The first day, themed “Samvaad Se Samadhaan”, focused on strengthening youth engagement frameworks through MY Bharat, with emphasis on policy alignment, institutional convergence and outcome-oriented programme delivery.
In his keynote address, Mandaviya highlighted the importance of inclusive and participatory governance.
“The vision of this Chintan Shivir is to ensure individual involvement by bringing every youth voice into the decision-making process,” he said.
He said India has the world’s most powerful demographic dividend, and to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, it is essential that youth are actively involved in shaping policies that will ultimately benefit them.
Underlining the need for collaborative nation-building, he said, “We must make youth equal partners in achieving the goals of 2047, not just beneficiaries of schemes.”
Proper nurturing of youth can be achieved through district youth officers (DYOs), who can effectively channelise ideas emerging from the grassroots, the minister added.
He said youth clubs can act as the foundation of youth engagement.
Calling for robust policy-making processes, Mandaviya emphasised that stakeholder consultation is essential for effective policy formulation and transparency must ensure that input directly translates into output without leakages.
Addressing the event, Khadse noted that the Chintan Shivir provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and action.
“This Chintan Shivir offers a platform for fruitful discussions to identify key issues and evolve actionable strategies for the youth of the country,” she said.
She emphasised participatory governance, saying, it is imperative that youth are actively involved in the decision-making process at every level.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots inputs, she added, “Discussions must flow from the ground level through DYOs to the national level, ensuring that policies reflect real needs and aspirations.”
Mandaviya inaugurates ESIC hospital in Kashmir
Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said a country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress, asserting that their welfare must therefore remain at the centre of governance.
Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, inaugurated a 30-bedded Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital at Ompora here in the central Kashmir district.
The newly inaugurated hospital is the first ESIC hospital in Kashmir, marking a historic milestone in the expansion of worker welfare services in the region.
Addressing the function, Mandaviya said, a country that values the dignity of its workers is unstoppable on the path of progress.
“Our social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, as per data published by the International Labour Organisation,” he said, highlighting that the country’s efforts in this direction were recognised by the International Social Security Association in 2025.
Underscoring the impact of the four Labour Codes that were brought into effect last year, the Union minister said these reforms guarantee several long-awaited protections for workers, including annual health check-ups, mandatory appointment letters, and minimum wages.
The provision for annual health checks through ESIC hospitals will allow early detection of diseases, ensure preventive healthcare for workers, and secure their future, he emphasised.
He also noted that the convergence of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has further expanded access to cashless treatment for beneficiaries across empanelled hospitals.
Built for Rs 165 crore, the hospital has been established with provision for expansion up to 100 beds and is expected to directly benefit more than 50,000 workers and their family members.
