Emphasizing the pivotal role of young Indians in shaping the country’s future, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Tuesday that the vision of a developed India by 2047 can only be achieved through the energy, innovation and commitment of the nation’s youth. He urged the youth to draw inspiration from the Constitution and India’s enduring democratic traditions.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026 in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Birla said the responsibility of transforming India into a developed nation rests largely on the younger generation.
The programme was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
Addressing the participants from across the country, Birla described the Constitution as the world’s largest democratic charter and a guiding framework for every citizen. He urged the youth to imbibe its values while contributing to national development and deliberating on the roadmap for Viksit Bharat.
“The dream of Viksit Bharat 2047 can only be realised through the energy, innovation and commitment of our youth. Platforms such as the Youth Parliament nurture democratic values, encourage dialogue and serve as incubators of future leadership,” he said.
Highlighting the growing popularity of the Youth Parliament programme, the Speaker noted that over five million young people are now associated with the initiative. Despite India’s vast diversity in language, culture and geography, he said the youth are united by a shared aspiration to build a stronger, more prosperous nation.
Birla said democracy is deeply rooted in India’s civilisational ethos and social traditions, asserting that the country’s democratic institutions evolved organically over centuries through ancient Sabhas and Samitis rather than being imported from elsewhere. “India’s democratic journey is unique in the world. Despite immense diversity, the country emerged as the world’s largest democracy after Independence and has continuously strengthened public participation and institutional governance over the past 75 years,” he said.