Ziraat Times News Desk
New Delhi: The second edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 commenced on Friday at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together around 3,000 young leaders from across India for three days of dialogue, collaboration and policy-oriented engagement.
The inaugural Orientation Session was addressed by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, along with Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Dr Pallavi Jain Govil, and Additional Secretary (Youth Affairs) Nitesh Kumar Mishra, among other senior officials. Youth diaspora delegates were also part of the opening session.
Addressing the gathering, Raksha Khadse recalled Swami Vivekananda’s belief that youth are the real strength of the nation and can achieve the impossible when organised. She said the vision of Viksit Bharat, articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, places youth at the centre of nation-building and calls for their active participation over the next 25 years.
The minister highlighted the growing reach of the MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) initiative, stating that over two crore youth have already registered on the MY Bharat portal. She urged young citizens to take the initiative beyond being a government programme and expand its outreach in colleges and districts to deepen youth participation and strengthen national commitment.
In her welcome address, Dr Pallavi Jain Govil said the dialogue was conceived as a two-way communication platform where youth voices are directly heard by leadership. She noted that VBYLD provides a rare opportunity for young leaders to interact with the Prime Minister and senior policymakers, reflecting the government’s emphasis on meaningful engagement with youth across diverse fields including culture, entrepreneurship, science and creative industries.
The opening session also featured the felicitation of MY Bharat volunteers in recognition of their contribution to youth outreach and participatory initiatives.
Ten thematic tracks
Following the plenary, participants moved into presentations and interactive sessions across ten thematic tracks focusing on governance, development and innovation.
The first track on Youth in Democracy and Government for Viksit Bharat featured policy proposals aimed at strengthening youth participation in democratic processes. Jury members Suyash Pande and Dr Krunal Shah emphasised that the platform was collaborative rather than competitive and encouraged long-term, actionable governance solutions.
The Women-Led Development track focused on positioning women as drivers of India’s growth by 2047. Proposals included dual skilling for rural women, monetising traditional skills, AI-based mentorship initiatives, preventive safety solutions and recognition of unpaid care work.
Under Fit Bharat, Hit Bharat, youth teams presented community-driven fitness models ranging from early integration of fitness in schools to inclusive public spaces and sustainable infrastructure, positioning fitness as a catalyst for social participation.
The Start-Up Capital of the World track highlighted strategies to strengthen India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with emphasis on scaling grassroots startups through coordinated support, education and incubation.
Sessions on Bharat’s Soft Power and Innovation with Tradition showcased how India’s cultural heritage and ancient knowledge systems can be leveraged alongside modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and digital platforms to enhance global influence and sustainable development.
The Aatmanirbhar Bharat track focused on strengthening manufacturing and innovation ecosystems, addressing challenges such as import dependence, talent retention and policy execution, while promoting MSMEs, indigenous technologies and sustainability.
In the Smart and Sustainable Agriculture session, participants presented AI-driven solutions for pest surveillance, soil health and productivity enhancement.
The Green Viksit Bharat track centred on community-led ideas for sustainable development, green lifestyles and indigenous solutions, while the final track on Future-Ready Workforce examined skilling, employment and workforce reforms to align with emerging economic and technological realities.
Other activities
Selection rounds were conducted throughout the day to prepare participants for upcoming activities, including Design for Bharat and Hack for Social Change, which are being held in parallel over the next few days.
Two batches of participants also visited the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library to gain insights into India’s democratic journey and leadership legacy.
The inaugural day concluded on a strong note, reaffirming the government’s focus on empowering youth as partners in nation-building. The dialogue will culminate on January 12, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact directly with young leaders. Day two of the event will begin with a plenary session to be addressed by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
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