What’s in it for Gen Z in PM Modi’s Independence Day speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students during the 80th Independence Day celebrations, at Red Fort in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: From artificial intelligence training for one crore young people to free online coaching for competitive examinations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech had several announcements aimed directly at India’s youth, with technology, jobs, entrepreneurship and skills forming a key part of the message.Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi said India’s youth would be the biggest beneficiary as well as the biggest enabler of the country’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047. He linked the Viksit Bharat goal to the country’s young population and outlined initiatives spanning AI, education, sports, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.PM Modi announced that one crore youth would be trained in artificial intelligence-related skills. The announcement came as he described AI, quantum technology, robotics, space and data centres as defining technologies of the current era and called for India to become a global hub of innovation.“When I speak of a developed India, when I speak of propelling the nation forward at a rapid pace, the greatest beneficiary and the greatest enabler of this vision is the youth of my country, the youthful energy of my nation. Not only that, but the greatest beneficiary of a developed India is also the youth of my country. Therefore, we must advance the goal of a developed India by linking it with our youth,” PM Modi said.For students and young people preparing for government and other competitive examinations, PM Modi announced free online coaching. The initiative was among the youth-focused measures announced during the address.The prime minister also announced a nationwide sports talent hunt to identify and nurture children aged five to 15 years across villages and cities, expanding the focus on identifying sporting talent at an early age.

AI training for 1 crore youth

AI was one of the biggest technology-related announcements in PM Modi’s speech. He said one crore young people would receive training in AI skills as India seeks to build capabilities in emerging technologies.PM Modi placed the initiative within his broader ‘Shakti Ki Saptadhara’ framework, under which technology and innovation form the third stream of India’s development strategy.“The third strength of the Saptadhara is technology and innovation. This is the era of robotics, AI, quantum technology, space and data centres. Emerging technologies are presenting new challenges, and we must become a global hub of innovation,” PM Modi said.He also pointed to India’s existing digital infrastructure, including UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure, and said the country needed to take the next step in emerging technologies.“We have already demonstrated our strength through UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure. Now, we must take the next leap in next-generation communication technology,” he added.The AI training plan comes as PM Modi has repeatedly linked India’s young workforce with the country’s technology ambitions, with the latest announcement putting a specific focus on building AI-related skills at scale.

Free online coaching for competitive exams

For young people preparing for competitive examinations, PM Modi announced free online coaching.The initiative is aimed at making preparation resources available to youth without requiring them to rely exclusively on physical coaching centres.PM Modi said, “The race for coaching classes has become a massive burden for our middle-class families. Every parent feels that if they don’t send their child to a coaching class, they aren’t considered a ‘prestigious’ family. We are concerned about the thousands of crores of rupees these poor and middle-class families spend; we want to save them that expense. We have decided to provide free online coaching for various competitive exams for our youth. We have digital public infrastructure, as well as excellent talent and teachers. By leveraging these resources, we are establishing a comprehensive network to provide free coaching to the nation’s youth.”The announcement was made alongside the AI skilling plan as part of the government’s broader focus on connecting India’s youth with opportunities created by the country’s development and technology push.PM Modi said the country’s development target must be linked directly with young people, describing them as both the principal beneficiaries and enablers of Viksit Bharat.

Sports talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15

PM Modi also announced a nationwide sports talent hunt to identify and nurture children between five and 15 years of age.The programme will cover children in villages as well as cities, with the focus on identifying sporting talent at an early age and developing it further.The announcement adds sports to the list of areas through which the government plans to connect young Indians with the broader Viksit Bharat vision.PM Modi also referred to the growing role of women in sports, STEM education, aviation and the armed forces during his address.

Jobs, manufacturing and MSMEs

Beyond direct youth-focused announcements, PM Modi’s seven-point roadmap placed manufacturing, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, defence, green and blue economy, and soft power at the centre of India’s growth strategy.For Gen Z entering the workforce, manufacturing and MSMEs were among the sectors PM Modi highlighted as areas with global opportunities.He urged Indian businesses, particularly MSMEs, to use free trade agreements to take Indian products to international markets.“We have to reach the world. Everything that India produces should reach the world market,” Modi said.PM Modi said Indian products in sectors such as textiles, machinery, pharmaceuticals, fisheries and seafood should expand their presence in global markets. He also stressed that companies would need to compete on international standards of cost, quality and scale.In manufacturing, PM Modi said India should become a reliable hub in global supply chains.“From Design to Manufacturing, India must become a reliable hub in the global supply chain. For this, I want to place special emphasis on 3 things. My brothers and sisters in the field of Manufacturing, do not let this opportunity slip away. For this, we will have to meet global standards on cost, quality, and scale,” PM Modi said.

Start-up and technology opportunities

Technology and innovation were central to PM Modi’s seven-point roadmap, with AI, quantum technology, robotics, space and data centres identified as areas where India should develop global capabilities.“The third strength of the Saptadhara is technology and innovation. This is the era of robotics, AI, quantum technology, space and data centres. Emerging technologies are presenting new challenges, and we must become a global hub of innovation,” PM Modi said.The prime minister also called for India to take the lead in next-generation communication technology, including 6G.For young entrepreneurs and technology professionals, PM Modi also spoke about the need for Indian technology companies to build globally recognised brands.“India’s technology companies should be a scoreboard in the world,” he said.

Defence, green economy and creative industries

PM Modi’s roadmap also identified defence production, the green economy and India’s soft power as areas for future growth.In defence, he called for self-reliance and the development of next-generation defence technologies, with India aiming to become a global supplier.“The importance of defence capability is paramount in every sense. My dear citizens, achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence is essential; India and the world have realised that there is no alternative. When the world looks out for itself, India cannot merely remain an arms market for other nations,” he said.The sixth stream, the green and blue economy, covers renewable energy, energy storage, green manufacturing, fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology.“The sixth strength of the Sapta Dhara is the Green economy. We must work in the areas of renewable energy, energy storage, green storage and manufacturing. India has an opportunity in the area of the Blue Economy. “The seventh stream is India’s soft power, covering yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts, culture, films, animation, gaming and digital content.“The seventh strength of the Sapta Dhara is India’s soft power. Today, Yoga has connected the world to India. Our Ayurveda, holistic healthcare, handicrafts, culture, films, animation, gaming, digital content. The world is recognizing and looking forward to India’s WAVES summit. We have more than 100 national parks. We have an opportunity to attract foreign tourists through the power of soft power.”

From ‘Fragile Five’ to a growing economy

PM Modi also used his Independence Day address to highlight India’s economic transformation over the past 12 years, saying the country had moved from the ‘Fragile Five’ to becoming the world’s fastest-growing major economy.He said India was now aiming for a larger role in global manufacturing, technology and trade and set out a goal of building Viksit Bharat by 2047.PM Modi cited growth in defence production, electronic manufacturing, railway coach production, internet use and digital transactions as indicators of the country’s economic and technological expansion.