Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said corruption and patronage are the worst killers of young innovative minds, and added that young people hate corruption.

Speaking at the 125th Founders Day celebrations of the Hindu College under the University of Delhi, the VP said, “For far too long, our systems had remained plagued with corruption and patronage. Corruption and patronage are the worst killers of young minds. They are antithetical to merit and stability. Young people hate corruption because they feel cheated by nepotism and favouritism.”

Talking about recent reforms in the governance ecosystem in an apparent reference to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, he said, “Power corridors have now been fully sanitized of corrupt elements, and a transparent, accountable system is in place.”

Now is a time when meritocracy prevails and youth can aspire and fulfill their dreams and fully exploit their potential, he added.

Noting that equality before law is the most inalienable feature quintessential to democratic governance, the VP said, “Now no one is above the law, the long arm of law is reaching to everyone particularly to those who never thought they will be held accountable to law.”

Asserting the importance of respecting rule of law, he further said, “Respect for law is respect for nationalism, respect for law is respect for democracy and respect for law is respect for meritocracy, respect for law is curbing corruption.”

Referring to the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of G20, Dhankhar said, “Now India’s voice is heard at the global level and the global image of our nation has been enhanced. India has emerged as the voice of the global south.”

Describing the students and youth as marathon runners of Bharat@2047, the VP said, “Our Bharat is among very few nations that have taken lead in channelizing the potential of disruptive technologies such as quantum computing and green hydrogen mission.”

Calling youth as engines of growth, architects of sustainability, and guardians of a thriving future, Dhankhar insisted that enormous opportunities and vistas are available for them at present.

The VP also called upon them to make use of and catalyze the opportunities presented by the disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 6G and machine learning.

“We are living in times of disruptive technologies…we are at the cusp of technological revolution,” he added.