NEW DELHI, Nov 10: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged Gen-Z and youth across India to prioritize national interests, economic self-reliance, and social unity, highlighting their role as key drivers of the country’s political and economic growth. Speaking at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Maharaja Agrasen Technical Education Society (MATES) at Vigyan Bhawan, Dhankhar emphasized the need for “economic nationalism” and commitment to the nation above personal gains.
“You are the driving force behind politics, economy, social harmony, and growth,” Dhankhar stated, encouraging young Indians to set ambitious goals and work toward a prosperous Bharat “performing admirably on land, sea, sky, and in space.” Stressing economic self-reliance, he added, “Believe in your nation and nationalism. No fiscal gain can justify compromising our economic nationalism.”
He urged young people to develop entrepreneurial skills to reduce unnecessary imports, which could save foreign exchange and generate jobs domestically. “We must reduce avoidable imports through entrepreneurship, saving billions in foreign exchange. When thinking of the economy, think Swadeshi—let this be our guiding principle,” he stated.
Emphasizing the importance of faculty over infrastructure in educational institutions, Dhankhar remarked, “An institution is defined more by its faculty than by infrastructure. Infrastructure serves the needs of society, but the faculty is its essence.”
Dhankhar also emphasized the need for citizens to balance rights with duties, saying, “Every right is tied to duty. Just as national interest outweighs political or personal interests, so should responsibility come before rights.”
Calling for social unity, Dhankhar encouraged young people to promote tolerance and inclusivity. “Be receptive, be tolerant; this will always be rewarding. We are human beings, part of a 5,000-year-old civilization grounded in tolerance—the cornerstone of harmony and inclusivity,” he said, adding that these values are vital for India’s enduring social fabric and harmony.
