Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre and Viveka Memorial at the Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru, describing India’s youth as the driving force behind the country’s rapid transformation and emergence as a global power. His visit to the cultural capital of Karnataka witnessed an enthusiastic public response, with thousands of people lining both sides of the roads to greet the Prime Minister and cheer his arrival.
Addressing a gathering at the Ashrama school campus, Modi said India’s remarkable progress across sectors is being powered by its young population. “The greatest strength of our nation is its youth. When young people receive opportunities, proper guidance and the confidence to dream big and fulfil those dreams in their own country, their potential becomes the nation’s greatest asset,” he said.
The Prime Minister said educational institutions play a decisive role in nurturing young minds and preparing them for the future. He noted that India’s education infrastructure has expanded significantly in recent years, enabling more students to pursue higher education.
Feeling very honoured and humbled to have inaugurated Viveka Smaraka in Mysuru. This centre will be at the forefront of youth empowerment and in popularising the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Also met Srimat Swami Gautamananda ji Maharaj. pic.twitter.com/KEfkvcRiNM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
Highlighting the government’s efforts in the education sector, Modi said India now has nearly 1.40 lakh MBBS seats, while the number of medical colleges has increased to 823. He said the National Education Policy is equipping students with the skills required to succeed in the 21st century and preparing them to contribute to nation-building.
Modi said the confidence and innovation displayed by Indian youth have transformed the country’s global standing. He pointed out that young Indians are leading innovation across sectors ranging from digital technology and entrepreneurship to manufacturing and space research.
“From launching India’s first private rocket into space to strengthening the digital economy, startups, Mudra-backed entrepreneurship, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, our youth are driving the country’s transformation. Earlier, India’s young minds were constrained by limitations; today they are accelerating global progress,” he said.
The PM noted that India’s economy is among the fastest-growing in the world because of the energy and innovation of its youth. He said the country has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with thousands of entrepreneurs creating employment and developing globally competitive technologies.
Recalling the life of Swami Vivekananda, Modi said Mysuru occupied a special place in the spiritual leader’s journey. He noted that Vivekananda had visited Mysuru nearly 130 years ago as a wandering swami and had received encouragement and support from the then Maharaja of Mysore.
The PM said that while Vivekananda was in the United States, he had written to the Maharaja of Mysore acknowledging the support extended to him. According to Modi, Vivekananda embodied India’s civilisational consciousness and inspired generations of young Indians to dedicate themselves to national service.
The Viveka Memorial has been established at the site where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his historic visit to Mysuru in 1892. Developed by the Ramakrishna Ashrama, the memorial commemorates that visit and seeks to inspire young people through the teachings and ideals of the revered monk.
Before addressing the gathering, Modi visited the Shiva temple within the memorial complex and later inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. He also toured the Ashrama campus at Yadavagiri, offered special prayers at the shrine of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, participated in the Maha Mangalarti and offered floral tributes to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Holy Mother Sarada Devi.
In a special gesture during the function, renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj presented the Prime Minister with a finely carved marble statue of Swami Vivekananda. The single-stone sculpture, weighing about 8.5 kg and standing around 1.5 feet tall, was received by Modi amid applause from the audience.
At the Viveka Smaraka complex in Mysuru, had the opportunity to pray at the Shiva Temple and visit the place where Swami Vivekananda stayed in Mysuru in 1892. pic.twitter.com/47L2J6G9uz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
The Viveka Memorial and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre is expected to serve as a centre for youth development, cultural activities and the promotion of Vivekananda’s ideals.
The event concluded with the Prime Minister interacting briefly with monks and representatives of the Ramakrishna Ashrama before departing from Mysuru for New Delhi.
He was received on his arrival in Mysuru by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah and BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra.
