New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday urged the country’s youth to gain new experiences and reiterated the need to end the VIP mindset.
“Do something out of the box,” Modi exhorted listeners in Mann Ki Baat, his monthly address on national radio.
“This is the time to have new experiences, visit new places, acquire new skills and have new experiences. India is full of diversities. Try learning a language. The new generation believes in digital economy. I urge young friends to get more and more people to download Bhim App; they can earn Rs10 per person by helping people download Bhim App and help them in three transactions.”
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Modi’s attempt to reach out to the youth is significant because 65% of India’s population is below 35 and the prime minister is trying to establish a direct line of communication with them.
Modi said after his government decided to do away with red beacon lights, it was time now to end the VIP (very important person) culture mindset. “New India should not have VIP culture but there should be EPI culture -- every person is important. The 125 crore people of the country are important and we have to fulfil the dreams of the people. We have removed the red beacon light from the system but the VIP culture mindset will take some time to go. Now, we have to remove VIP culture from the minds of the people. The government is conscious that people detest the VIP culture,” the prime minister said.
Soon after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) impressive victory in the recent assembly elections, Modi had said that the results signalled the emergence of a New India in which governments will be formed by majority, governance will be done by consensus and a key stakeholder will be the poor. The prime minister had asked people to come forward in realising the dream of New India by 2022 when the country celebrates its 75th year of independence.
Modi said that Indians should take inspiration from the life of 11th century theologian and philosopher Ramanujacharya who worked for social equality, worked against untouchability, caste system, and fought for the rights of people who were not allowed to enter temples.
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“We will be celebrating Labour Day on 1 May; we must remember Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s contributions on this day. He worked for the welfare of labourers and he ensured that labourers too lead a life of dignity,” added Modi.
A political analyst said that the prime minister is trying to make everyone a participant in the development journey. “Narendra Modi is trying to create a participatory framework of basic empowerment. He is trying to create a more citizen-connected system and also a greater communication between citizens and state,” said Jai Mrug, a Mumbai-based political analyst.