Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Program at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor praised the initiative as a transformative platform for youth engagement. He highlighted its role in bridging the gap between young citizens and policymakers while empowering youth to actively participate in the process of nation-building.
He noted that the initiative marks a significant step towards fostering structured youth engagement and strengthening the connection between the youth and decision-makers.
“The Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Program aims to create a platform where young people can share their ideas, engage in policy discussions, and find inspiration to contribute to India’s journey towards a developed nation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He added that the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has outlined four key objectives for Youth Connect—Engage, Encourage, Enable, and Inspire. The program, leveraging the MY Bharat platform, focuses on participatory governance, leadership development, and meaningful dialogue, thereby preparing India’s youth for the nation’s growth trajectory toward 2047.
The program is designed to inspire young minds to engage in civic and national issues by offering structured opportunities for sharing ideas and perspectives on matters of national importance.
The Lieutenant Governor encouraged the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to take the lead in India’s development journey by offering innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.
“Youth will shape a brighter future for J&K and ensure enduring peace and prosperity. In the face of constant change and challenges in the 21st century, our youth—our greatest asset—hold the power to lead a socio-economic transformation. Jammu and Kashmir, full of opportunities, is equipping its young population with abundant resources and avenues to grow,” he remarked.
He urged students to move forward with the spirit of Nation First and adopt the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s “Panch Pran” resolution. He emphasized that qualities such as initiative, leadership, self-confidence, persistence, imagination, and the courage to learn from failure would guide them on the path to Viksit Bharat.
The Lieutenant Governor also congratulated the Vice Chancellor and faculty of IUST for implementing progressive reforms that have contributed significantly to transforming higher education in J&K. He encouraged IUST to now focus on establishing a semiconductor lab as part of its forward-looking vision.
“We can realize the dream of a Viksit Bharat only when J&K is developed, our districts are developed, and most importantly, our universities become centers of excellence and engines of growth. I am proud that IUST is working with this mission in true letter and spirit,” he added.
Paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Lieutenant Governor called on the youth to dedicate themselves to building a strong, inclusive, and forward-looking India, aligned with Sardar Patel’s vision.
He also reiterated his commitment to making all universities in Jammu and Kashmir drug-free. Stressing that drug-free campuses are essential for nation-building, he proposed several steps:
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Introduce anti-drug initiatives at the admission stage by having students take a pledge.
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Set up “Say No To Drugs” Student Committees in every university, supervised by faculty, to serve as early warning systems.
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Establish confidential reporting mechanisms and ensure access to support systems like Tele-Manas helplines.
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Incorporate counseling, de-addiction awareness, and academic content related to drug prevention into the curriculum.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor felicitated winners of pre-events like the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament and Debate Competitions, and extended his best wishes for the main event on August 12, when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will formally launch the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect Program and interact with students and faculty from over 1,339 universities across the country.
He also administered the “Viksit Bharat Shapath”, a collective pledge reaffirming the youth’s commitment to the nation’s progress. The Lieutenant Governor released the University’s publication and IUST’s Institutional Development Plan aimed at academic excellence and future-readiness.
Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of IUST, presented a detailed overview of how the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 is being implemented across various domains of the university including administration, academics, research, and outreach.
A Yuva Samvad (youth dialogue) session was also conducted, encouraging open discussions on civic duties, national development, and current affairs. The event concluded with the screening of “Sardar @150,” a visual tribute to the life and legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. (As per media sources)
