Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan Urges Youth to Lead ‘Viksit Bharat’ Vision at National Youth Parliament

Nagpur, March 21: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday called upon India’s youth to embrace their cultural roots and linguistic identity while driving innovation for a developed India by 2047. He was addressing the 29th National Session of the Indian Youth Parliament held at Maharshi Vyas Sabhagrah in Nagpur.

Highlighting the theme “Indian Languages & Developed India–2047,” the Vice-President said that using one’s mother tongue should be seen as a mark of authenticity rather than regional limitation. He emphasized that India’s rich linguistic diversity forms the backbone of its cultural unity and must be preserved and promoted as the nation progresses.

Referring to Nagpur’s historical importance, he noted its association with the founding of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, describing the organisation’s growth as a reflection of commitment to national service and the idea of “nation first.”

The Vice-President underlined that India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation cannot rely solely on external models. Instead, he said, progress must stem from indigenous thinking, rooted in Indian languages, traditions, and knowledge systems.

He also acknowledged the contribution of institutions like the Central Sanskrit University in preserving India’s classical heritage, stating that Sanskrit continues to play a unifying role among various Indian languages.

Speaking on democratic values, Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and mutual respect in public discourse. Drawing from his experience as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he observed that meaningful discussions and consensus-building are essential for effective governance.

Encouraging students to actively participate in platforms like Youth Parliament, he described such initiatives as crucial in shaping leadership qualities, discipline, and a sense of responsibility toward the nation.

“The youth of today are the driving force behind India’s future,” he said, adding that the world is closely watching India’s rise and the younger generation will play a decisive role in achieving the vision of a fully developed nation by 2047.

Earlier in the day, the Vice-President paid tribute to RSS founder Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at his memorial in Nagpur.

The session witnessed participation from several dignitaries, including Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and representatives from academic and social organisations, along with youth delegates from across the country.