Day after 'forgive' remark, PM Modi praises youth for powering India's growth
PM Modi said the country’s transformation from the constraints of colonial rule had been made possible by the capabilities of its young people.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's youth for propelling the nation's growth as it becomes the world's fastest-growing major economy, third-largest startup hub, and a leader in semiconductors, AI, deep tech and space. The Prime Minister's remarks came a day after he posted a video on Instagram offering to "forgive" students who had berated him during nationwide protests led by the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protest erupted following the leak of the NEET-UG paper, causing a retest for around two million students, ultimately leading to the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Modi made the praise while inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre — Viveka Smaraka — at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru.
He highlighted how India's transformation from colonial rule to global innovation is driven by its youth, pointing to recent rocket launches and government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. The Viveka Smaraka, built on the site where Vivekananda stayed during his 1892 visit, should inspire young Indians to prioritize the welfare of the poor and nation above personal interests, according to Modi.
Opposition parties criticized Modi for his apology offer, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking for an apology from the Prime Minister instead, citing the impact of a corrupt exam system and cancelled papers on students.
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