New Delhi, Mar 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the aspirations of India’s youth are the country’s “greatest capital”, stressing that their drive to innovate and contribute is a key strength for the nation’s future.
Speaking at a post-Budget webinar on Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, Modi said the new tradition of such consultations reflects the powerful example of “jan bhagidari (public participation)”. They bring together experts, stakeholders and beneficiaries to offer practical ideas for effective implementation of the Union Budget, he said.
“India’s greatest strength today lies in the aspirations of its youth — from villages, towns and cities — who seek to innovate and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s future,” Modi said.
According to an official statement, the prime minister said that as India moves towards an innovation-driven economy, the country must continuously modernise its education system to unlock this potential.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said the announcement of Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana in the Union Budget aims to strengthen employment-linked skill development for persons with disabilities, adding that partnerships among government, industry and civil society will be key to ensuring dignified employment opportunities.
Experts at the webinar emphasised that market-linked skills for persons with disabilities should align community aspirations with industry demand and integrate them into mainstream education, STEM learning and employment ecosystems.
The discussion highlighted the importance of inclusive hiring, accessible training tools, entrepreneurship, digital platforms and AI-enabled remote work opportunities, the statement said.
Concluding the session, Additional Secretary in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Manmeet Kaur Nanda, said the deliberations underscored the need for skilling initiatives that are demand-driven, accessible and closely linked to employment outcomes.
The webinar was held on March 9 at Dr Ambedkar International Centre and focused on building a demand-driven, industry-linked skilling ecosystem, with special attention to rural areas and specialised vocational training through centres of excellence.
