PM Modi said many faceless martyrs made supreme sacrifices during the freedom struggle but did not get due respect and recognition. Thus, it will be in the fitness of things that youth should do more research and read and write on those freedom fighters.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, Jan 12, said youth are the true 'drivers' of development in the country and in the new era full of challenges, 'Compete and conquer' is the 'mantra' of New India.
In his address at a function on the National Youth Day on the occasion of the birthday of cyclonic monk Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister said, "Today's youth has a Can Do spirit, which is a source of inspiration for every generation."
"Today, India has a strong ecosystem of more than 50,000 startups, out of which more than 10,000 startups were set up in the past 6-7 months amid the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic… 'Compete and conquer' is the mantra of New India," he said.
PM Modi asserted that his government firmly considers that the girl child in every aspect is equivalent to a male child, which is why the government has brought a Bill to raise the marriageable age for all females to 21 years.
"Girl children should also make their career, they should have adequate time, and therefore this Bill is a very important step," the Prime Minister said. The Bill piloted by Union Women and Child Development ministry seeks to increase the marriageability of all women (female children) to 21.
For Muslims, the marriageable age under the Muslim Personal Law was allowed at 'attaining puberty' – which is assumed when the bride or groom turns 15. Section 5 of The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, sets a minimum age of 18 for the bride and 21 for the husband. This is the same for Christians under the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 and the Special Marriage Act.
The Prime Minister said the 'Can Do' spirit is a source of inspiration for every generation. "It is the strength of the youth that India has marched much ahead in digital payments. Today, the youth of India are writing the code of global prosperity," he pointed out.
PM Modi also said, the year 2022 is very important for the youth of India. "Today's youth has to live for the country and fulfil the dreams of our freedom fighters… The strength of the youth will take India to greater heights."
The Prime Minister said numerous such faceless martyrs had made supreme sacrifices during the freedom struggle, but they did not get due respect and recognition. Thus, it will be in the fitness of things that youth should do more research and read and write on those freedom fighters.
"The more the youth read and write about those people, the country will be more aware of such freedom fighters," he said.
The Prime Minister said the youth has some inherent strengths and can do away with past prejudices. "The youth can, in fact evolve themselves into the new atmosphere and settings and tread a fresh path both for themselves and the entire society," he underlined. He said the youth of India are 'blessed' with demographic dividends and also strong democratic values.
"The democratic dividends of Indian youth are also unique and distinguishable. India, therefore, considers the youth also as development drivers," the Prime Minister said.
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