Shri Narendra Modi’s Inspiring Words at Veer Narmad University, Surat

26th February, 2012

 

Friends, the amount of importance we attach for ‘Diksha’ (initiation)is more than that for ‘Shiksha’ (education) and unless and until an educated person gets initiated, the education is considered incomplete. Earliest mention of convocations date back to the ‘Taittiriya Upanishad’. But by tradition, as per the norms of Gurukul education, once the student completes his studies then the mentors would evaluate him through various tests and while passing through that, whatever they have learnt in their daily routine was assessed and even the students were not made aware about their assessment! The student was observed very minutely and thereafter would become a degree holder and eligible to go in other ‘Ashrams’ in their life.

Friends, student life is the best phase of one’s life. On one side we are pleased that after being a degree holder, we will be going back to our society, but at the same time it’s the beginning of a big responsibility. As a student, you could introduce yourself to your friends or in society that you are studying in final year and so no further details are asked. You are studying, that’s all! But the moment you say that you are a graduate, immediately the next question arises that then what are you doing now? What will you be doing? What have you thought? This goes on about job and regarding girl also and if she’s a girl, the same starts regarding the boy. It’s natural. While studying there are no tensions, no questions. And to avoid that what do many people do? Till nothing else is settled, they take admission in CA, so if asked, they can say that I am doing CA, which is itself an unending process! Friends, when we are students, there are many people to guide us. We have a sort of protected life. In the family, our family members get worried for us, elder members related to family are concerned for us, in educational institutions many times even the support staff guides us saying no-no, this should not be done… Friends, you must have experienced this and we too feel that even XYZ understands this but we don’t! Teachers would also guide for what to do and what not. And because of this we remain relaxed. Wherever any mistake occurs, there is someone to stop and guide us and this brings us courage to freely take a step. But the moment we come out of this situation than at every moment, we have to take our own decision. If we see around, we don’t find any teacher standing nearby, the attitude of the society towards us gets changed and a kind of analytical phase gets initiated. All those who are getting degrees today, are entering in the analytical phase of life. And when assessment begins, every moment, right from their childhood till date, wherever they studied, from whichever teacher they achieved knowledge; the entire story is recollected in some or other manner in the mind. If we decide to do something, we remember that yes, our teacher had told us about this in the class! If we go somewhere for an interview and some questions are asked, immediately a thought comes in our mind that one of my teachers had told us something about this, but now I don’t remember it. Friends, at every step you will keep on remembering your previous days and in this context- it is true that the beginning of the life is always tough. One has to pass through various challenges in the life in some or the other manner.

I wish that since we are students of a University whose name is associated with Veer Narmad, so whether we can do something or not but Friends, let us imbibe one sentence of Narmad in our lives, ‘Never step back, once taken. Friends, confused people in the social life can neither gain anything nor are able to give anything to the society. Only decisive people are able to achieve the determined goal. Indecisive people waste most of their time trapped in the same entanglement. You must have seen many people at a bus station, if there are four buses standing, they are unable to decide which bus they should board and ultimately they board the last one after three buses have left-they simply cannot decide. And we experience this in our day-to-day lives. Many people, when they are sick and need to be operated are unable to decide whether to get operated or not, from A doctor or B doctor. In the meantime, their disease gets so severe that it even goes out of doctor’s control. Reason? This is nothing but indecisiveness. Friends, a confused life should not have any relation with a youth. I am young, it means that I am resolute and if I am not resolute, surely I am not young. If I am very fearful, very insecure, I am afraid to take any further step for I may slip down somewhere…It means I have lost the youthfulness of my mind and therefore, to be decisive, to have a confusion free life is the very first condition of being young. Friends, decisive people are courageous also. In fact, a confused person is deficient in courage. He is fearful that what if anything goes wrong? What if anyone says something? May be if this happens then? Friends, children are never confused because they have no fear. Those who have fear are confused and so the courage in life, fearlessness in the mind is inevitable for the progress of life. Till there is a mental condition of courage, if fear doesn’t touch me in any circumstances, I don’t see anything dark and brightness appears to me at each and every moment, and only a person who thinks like this can decide the path of his life. One need not wait to see the light till the Sun rises. Friends, efficient people are able to find their path even in the light of a star. The life is not meant to wait for the golden moments. Friends, in the darkness of our life, we can have brightness by the light of a star and Friends, it is seen that even if it’s dark and cloudy, a tribal man makes path of his life in the light of glow-worms. If a single glow-wormcan show the path of life, then I am a man leading prosperous life, why should there be any hindrance in my life? If this is the power of determination then we can change our life.

Friends, many times while working in life, you may feel that I could become graduate because my father paid the fees, today I am achieving the degree because of him, but it’s not so my friends. I studied till late night and therefore now I am a degree-holder, It’s not so. During exams I skipped to watch the best movie and so I have passed, it’s like that? It’s not like that. Many people have given their contribution in some or the other way in molding my life. It must have happened that I might have got bored in the college and so went out of the campus and got a cup of tea from tiny kettle from someone sitting under the shade of a tree and got refreshed and returned back to the class-room. Today, while getting your degree, you must remember every single man and woman who has made a difference in your life. Friends, it is possible that you may missed your bus and got late for exam and you must have requested the bus driver to drive fast so as to reach at exam time and on your request he might have speeded by taking risk and managed to drop you in time. Friends, today be thankful to him and remember him also. Friends, some peon must have worn-out his whole life to clean the chair or the bench on which you sat and studied, just remember that peon also. Friends, there is contribution of so many people, whatever I am able to achieve in life is the result of the efforts of so many people. It means that there is an obligation of the entire society on me. The time begins to return back those obligations after achieving my degree. I will try to return those obligations at each and every moment. I will never forget the obligations or debts of society that I have in my life, I will obey and fulfill my duties. And if this is the attitude in your life then only we can realize the sense of contentment.

Friends, as you are departing after your convocation ceremony, I want to say that if you no longer remain a student, then you are not going towards the life, but towards death. I am speaking this with great responsibility. Friends, after your departure from here, if you think that your student life is over, it means your lifespan is over and you are near to death. Friends, a student should live within you throughout the life. A student should remain alive within you till the end of the life. There cannot be any youngster whose life comes to a standstill. There has to be a continuous flow of development and for that it is necessary to remain student at every moment of life. I should be eager to learn at every moment. My tendency should be to acquire knowledge at every moment. It should become the root element of life, it needs to be formed in our DNA. Mentality of being a student should be a part of our DNA and only then there are chances of progress in life.

Ladies & Gentlemen, this is a year of 150thBirth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda ji. And as we are celebrating this 150thBirth Anniversary, the Gujarat Government has decided to celebrate it as a ‘Year of Youth Power’. And this will not be restricted to just conducting essay competitions or elocution competitions. A focus is formed on enhancement of talent and skill! Friends, skill is equally important to knowledge in life and in the absence of the skill, many times the puddle of education remains useless and gets wasted. As I have mentioned about an incident many times, today I wish to mention it again. It relates to Dada Dharmadhikari, who was Vinobaji companion and a follower of Gandhiji’s ideology. His many books are worth to be read. Dada Dharmadhikari has written that a youth came to meet him once and said that “Dada, do something for my job…” so Dada asked him, “Brother, what do you know?” so that youth answered, “I am a graduate”. He said, “It is okay, but what do you know?” He again replied, “I am a graduate”, then he showed some certificates from his bag, so he said “It is fine that you are a graduate, but what do you know”, he again replied “Sir, I am a graduate” Dada said, “Brother, that all is okay, but you tell me whether you know driving?” He said, “No”, “Do you know typing?” he said, “No”, “Can you cook? Can you swim..?”, ”No, but I am a graduate, I have certificate..!”. Friends, skill is also important in life along with the degree and by keeping this point in mind, on the occasion of 150thBirth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda ji, a huge campaign will be initiated in the whole State for the enhancement of skills. Each and every person is acquainted with some or the other extra talent and skill, he has the capacity to be self-reliant. Friends, India is a fortunate country and we all are living in such an era when India is the youngest country in entire world. 65% people in this country are less than 35 years of age. The country that has such a huge youth power, how young her dreams could be, how bright her dreams could be..! Along with such young dreams, young bright dreams, this Bharat Mata may become Universal Mentor and for the fulfillment of this dream of Swami Vivekananda, epoch has arrived. And if such feelings are inculcated in the minds of the youth, such a huge nation with a population of 120 crore, having 65 % youth… Friends, with their talents, with their skills, with their aptitude, with their knowledge, with their intelligence, it can has ability to become world leader. It was a dream of Vivekananda ji that “I can see in front of my eyes, I can see the destiny that our Bharat Mata will be placed at the position of Universal Mentor, I can see this..!”. Friends, the dream of Vivekananda ji, 150 years have passed, it is our responsibility to fulfill it. As a youth if we take a resolution than soon we can place Bharat Mata at the position of Universal Leader.

Friends, the way education has been evoked in Gujarat, it is now yielding the desired success. ‘Kanya Kelavani’ campaign is initiated, ‘Praveshotsav’ has also been stirred up. When I had taken up the responsibility, 7-8 years ago, that time people were unaware about all such activities. Friends, today the situation is such that so many people are moving towards higher education. Deprived, oppressed, tribal people are gaining higher education in large numbers. And for this purpose, a substantial amount of Rs. 100 crores is allocated to build hostels for the students coming from remote areas and has come forward by acquiring education. In the Budget of Gujarat, such a huge amount of Rs. 100 crores has been allocated to build hostels, so that the people living in the interior areas can get acquainted with education with lodging & boarding facilities, such a big mission has been taken up. Friends, the way Gujarat is developing, accordingly we have concentrated on developing the manpower also. In the year 2001, when the citizens of Gujarat entrusted this responsibility upon me, there were only 11 universities in the State. Ladies & Gentlemen, today there are 41 universities. There are more universities compared to the number of collages in the last century and the universities are on a par with the world-class universities and we are going ahead in that direction. 

All those young friends who are approaching towards a new path of life, I heartily congratulate them and my best wishes to all of them.

 

Thankyou..!

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The world acknowledges today that India possesses two infinite powers - Demography & Democracy: PM Modi
July 12, 2025
QuoteToday, more than 51 thousand youths have been given appointment letters, Through such employment fairs, millions of young people have already secured permanent jobs in the Government , Now these young people are playing a significant role in nation-building: PM
QuoteThe world acknowledges today that India possesses two infinite powers, One is demography, the other is democracy, In other words, the largest youth population and the largest democracy: PM
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QuoteThe Government's focus is also on creating new employment opportunities in the private sector with the recently approved new scheme,the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme: PM
QuoteToday, one of India's greatest strengths is our manufacturing sector, A large number of new jobs are being created in manufacturing: PM
QuoteTo boost the manufacturing sector, the Mission Manufacturing has been announced in this year's budget: PM
QuoteA report from the International Labour Organization - ILO states that over the past decade, more than 90 crore citizens of India have been brought under the ambit of welfare schemes: PM
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Namaskar!

Our campaign to provide permanent jobs to the youth in the Central Government is continuing steadily. And we are known for this—no recommendation, no corruption. Today, more than 51,000 young people have been given appointment letters. Lakhs of youth have already secured permanent jobs in the Indian government through such Rozgar Melas (employment fairs). These young individuals are now playing a significant role in nation-building. Today, many of you have started your responsibilities in Indian Railways. Some will now become the guardians of the nation's security, others appointed in the Postal Department will help deliver government services to every village, some will be foot soldiers of the Health for All mission, many young professionals will help accelerate financial inclusion, and others will drive Bharat's industrial development forward. Your departments may be different, but the goal is the same. And what is that goal? We must remember it again and again: No matter the department, task, position, or region — the one and only goal is service to the nation. The guiding principle is: Citizen First. You have been given a great platform to serve the people of the country. I congratulate all of you on achieving this great success at such an important stage of life. I extend my best wishes for this new journey in your career.

Friends,

Today the world acknowledges that Bharat has two limitless strengths: one is demography, and the other is democracy—the largest population of youth and the world's biggest democracy. This power of youth is both the greatest asset and the strongest guarantee for Bharat’s bright future. Our government is working day and night to turn this strength into a formula for prosperity. As you all know, I have just returned from a visit to five countries. In every country, I could hear the praise and recognition of Bharat’s youth power. All the agreements signed during these visits will certainly benefit Bharat’s youth, both at home and abroad. In sectors like defence, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy, and rare earth minerals, the agreements made will bring significant advantages to Bharat in the coming days. They will give a strong boost to Bharat’s manufacturing and services sectors.

Friends,

With changing times, the nature of jobs in the 21st century is also evolving, and new sectors are constantly emerging. That is why, Bharat has focused on preparing its youth for these changes over the past decade. Important decisions have been taken, and modern policies have been formulated keeping in mind the needs of the present era. The ecosystem of start-ups, innovation, and research that is taking shape in the country today is enhancing the potential of our youth. When I see young people aspiring to launch their own start-ups, it increases my own confidence. Just now, Dr. Jitendra Singh ji also shared some detailed statistics with you regarding start-ups. I feel proud to see that the youth of my country is moving forward with great vision, speed, and strength, with a desire to do something new.

Friends,

The Indian government is also focusing on creating new employment opportunities in the private sector. Recently, the government has approved a new scheme — the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme. Under this scheme, the government will provide 15,000 rupees to a youth getting their first job in the private sector. In other words, the government will contribute towards the first salary of the first job. For this, the government has allocated a budget of around 1 lakh crore rupees. This scheme is expected to help in the creation of approximately 3.5 crore new jobs.

Friends,

Today, one of Bharat’s greatest strengths is our manufacturing sector. A large number of new jobs are being created in manufacturing. To boost this sector, this year’s Union Budget has announced the launch of Mission Manufacturing. Over the past few years, we have strengthened the Make in India initiative. Just through the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) Scheme, more than 11 lakh jobs have been created in the country. The mobile phone and electronics sectors have witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years. Today, electronics manufacturing worth nearly 11 lakh crore rupees is taking place in Bharat. That’s a more than fivefold increase in the past 11 years. Earlier, Bharat had only 2 or 4 mobile phone manufacturing units. Now, we have nearly 300 units related to mobile phone manufacturing, employing lakhs of young people. Another prominent sector is defence manufacturing, which is gaining even more attention and pride after Operation Sindoor. Bharat is setting new records in defence production. Our defence production has now crossed 1.25 lakh crore rupees. Bharat has also achieved a major milestone in the locomotive sector — we are now the largest producer of locomotives in the world. Whether it’s locomotives, rail coaches, or metro coaches, Bharat is exporting them in large numbers to many countries. Our automobile sector is also experiencing unprecedented growth.

In just the last 5 years, the sector has received about $40 billion in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). That means new companies have come in, new factories have been established, new jobs have been created — and at the same time, vehicle demand has surged, with record sales of automobiles in Bharat. Bharat’s progress in various sectors, and these manufacturing records, don’t happen on their own. They are possible only because more and more young people are getting jobs. It is their hard work, intellect, and dedication that have made this possible. Bharat’s youth have not only found employment, but they’ve also excelled at it. Now, as government employees, it is your duty to ensure that this momentum in the manufacturing sector continues. Wherever you are assigned, you must act as an enabler, an encourager, remove obstacles, and simplify processes. The more ease you bring to the system, the more benefit it will bring to the people of the country.

Friends,

Today, our country is rapidly progressing towards becoming the third-largest economy in the world, and any Indian can proudly say this. This achievement is the result of the hard work and sweat of our youth. In the past 11 years, the nation has made progress in every sector. Recently, a very commendable report was released by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This report highlights that more than 90 crore citizens in Bharat have been brought under the umbrella of welfare schemes over the last decade. This is essentially the expansion of social security. And the impact of these schemes goes far beyond welfare—they have also generated a massive number of new jobs. Let me give you a simple example — the PM Awas Yojana. Under this scheme, 4 crore new pucca (permanent) houses have already been built, and construction of 3 crore more houses is currently underway. Now, when such a large number of homes are being built, masons, labourers, suppliers of raw materials, transport operators, local shopkeepers, and truck drivers—all get work. Imagine the enormous number of jobs created through this! What’s even more heartening is that most of these jobs are in rural areas, so people don’t need to migrate to cities. Similarly, 12 crore new toilets have been constructed across the country. This has created work not only in construction but also for plumbers, carpenters, and skilled workers from our Vishwakarma community. This is how job creation expands and leaves a real impact. Likewise, over 10 crore new LPG connections have been provided under the Ujjwala scheme. To support this, a large number of bottling plants have been set up, creating employment for cylinder manufacturers, distribution agencies, and delivery personnel. Each initiative—if you examine closely—creates multiple layers of employment opportunities. Lakhs of people have gained new jobs from such initiatives.

Friends,

I would like to mention another scheme, one that truly brings double the benefit—like having a laddu in each hand, as we say. That scheme is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Under this scheme, the government is giving an average subsidy of over 75,000 rupees per household to install rooftop solar panels. This essentially turns your roof into a power plant—generating electricity not just for your own use, but also for sale to the grid if there's surplus. This brings electricity bills down to zero and saves families significant money. Engineers and technicians are needed to install the plants. Solar panel manufacturing factories and raw material suppliers are growing. Transport operators are employed to move materials. A whole new industry is emerging for the maintenance and repair of these systems. Just imagine—the benefits are not only helping citizens, but also creating lakhs of new employment opportunities.

Friends,

The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ initiative has increased the income of our sisters and daughters and also created new employment opportunities in rural areas. Under this scheme, lakhs of rural women are being trained as drone pilots. Available reports show that our Drone Didis—mothers and sisters from our villages—are earning lakhs of rupees in a single farming season by offering drone-based agricultural services on a contract basis. Not only that, this initiative is also giving a big boost to the drone manufacturing sector in the country. Whether in agriculture or defence, drone manufacturing is opening up new avenues for the youth of our country.

Friends,

The campaign to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis is ongoing. Out of these, 1.5 crore women have already achieved this milestone. And as you know, becoming a Lakhpati Didi means earning at least 1 lakh rupees every year, consistently—not just once. That is the benchmark. 1.5 crore Lakhpati Didis! Today, if you visit villages, you’ll often hear terms like Bank Sakhis, Bima Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis, Pashu Sakhis—these are various schemes through which our mothers and sisters in villages have got employment opportunities. Similarly, under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, street vendors and hawkers were given support for the first time. Lakhs have benefited from it. Because of digital payments, even roadside vendors now prefer UPI over cash. Why? Because it gives them instant access to more credit from the bank. Banks trust them more, and they don’t need piles of paperwork. This means that even a humble street vendor now moves forward with confidence and pride. Take the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, for example. It’s focused on modernizing and upgrading traditional, ancestral, and family-based crafts and trades. It helps by: Providing modern tools, offering training to artisans, craftsmen, and service providers, facilitating easy loans. There are countless such schemes, through which the poor have been uplifted, and youth have found employment. The impact of all these initiatives is so significant that, in just 10 years, 25 crore Indians have risen out of poverty. Think about it—if they hadn’t found employment, if there was no income in the family, how would a person who had been poor for three or four generations even imagine coming out of that darkness? For them, each day was a struggle for survival, and life felt like a burden. But today, they have defeated poverty with their strength and courage. These 25 crore brothers and sisters have emerged victorious, and I salute their determination. They used the government’s schemes as tools, didn't sit around and complain—they fought back against poverty, uprooted it, and conquered it. Now imagine, the new self-confidence that is building among these 25 crore people! When a person overcomes a crisis, a new strength emerges. This new strength has also emerged in my country, and it will play a vital role in taking the country forward. And let me be clear—this is not just the government saying it. Today, global institutions like the World Bank are openly praising Bharat for this achievement. The world is presenting Bharat as a model. Bharat is now being ranked among the top countries in the world in terms of equality—which means inequality is decreasing rapidly, and we are moving toward greater equality. The world is now taking note of this transformation.

Friends,

The great mission of development, the movement for welfare of the poor and employment generation that is currently underway—you now share the responsibility of taking it forward from today. The government should never be a hurdle; it should always be a facilitator of growth. Every individual deserves the opportunity to move ahead. It is our role to extend a helping hand. And you, my friends, are young. I have great faith in you. I have high expectations from you. Wherever you're assigned, you must always put the citizens first. Helping them, easing their difficulties—that alone will push the nation forward rapidly. You are to become active participants in Bharat’s Amrit Kaal—this golden period of opportunity. The next 20 to 25 years are crucial, not just for your career, but for the future of the entire country. These are the defining years for building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). That is why, your work, your duties, and your goals must be aligned with the resolve to create a ‘Viksit Bharat’. The mantra ‘Nagrik Devo Bhavo’ (Citizen is Divine) must run through your veins, live in your heart and mind, and reflect in your conduct and behaviour.

And I am fully confident, my friends, that this youth power has stood with me over the past 10 years in taking the country forward. They have taken each of my words to heart and done whatever they could for the nation—from wherever they were, in whatever capacity they could. Now that you have been given this opportunity, expectations from you are higher. Your responsibility is greater. And I believe—you will rise to the occasion and make it happen. Once again, I wholeheartedly congratulate you. I extend my warmest wishes to your families, who deserve a bright and prosperous future. May you all achieve great success in life. Keep upgrading yourself continuously through the iGOT platform. Now that you have secured your position, don’t sit back. Dream big, aim high. Through hard work, continuous learning, and bringing fresh results, move ahead. Your progress is the pride of the country and your growth is my satisfaction. That is why, today, as you embark on this new journey in life, I have come here to speak with you, to bless you, and to welcome you as my partner in fulfilling many dreams. As a close and trusted companion, I welcome you warmly. Thank you very much, and best wishes to you all.