SHILLONG, May 29: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said India’s youth must be guided with clarity of purpose and collective direction to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047, asserting that officers working at the grassroots level have a crucial responsibility in shaping future leadership and instilling a strong sense of national duty among young citizens.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day “Chintan Shivir–Purvottar” at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong, Mandaviya underscored the significance of collective reflection and collaboration in strengthening the country’s youth development framework.
He said the concept of “Chintan” has long been rooted in India’s tradition of reflective thinking and a “Shivir” symbolises collective deliberation. Bringing the two together, he said, creates a platform for collaborative problem-solving and strategic planning aimed at connecting the youth of the country to the larger national development agenda.
“Isolated efforts cannot shape India’s future. It requires collective thinking, coordinated action and clarity in execution,” he said, while urging officers to actively participate in discussions and use the two-day conclave to identify challenges and formulate practical solutions for more effective implementation of youth programmes.
Mandaviya stressed that India’s youth power must be channelled towards achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047, adding that the officers present at the conclave would play a key role in guiding young citizens towards this vision.
He highlighted the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders, including district administrations, colleges, youth clubs, and youth volunteers, stating that effective collaboration among these institutions was essential for building leadership, nurturing talent, and ensuring wider outreach of youth-centric initiatives.
The Union Minister called upon participants to use both formal and informal interactions during the conclave to exchange ideas and best practices, saying such engagement would help create stronger institutional synergy.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse said the Chintan Shivir emerged as an important platform for officers working at the grassroots level to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collectively address challenges faced across districts and states.
She said India’s youth remain the country’s greatest strength and emphasised the need to connect them with developmental opportunities and national programmes through sustained engagement.
Khadse sought better coordination between field officers and state-level authorities to ensure smoother implementation of schemes and wider outreach through the MY Bharat digital platform.
Highlighting the Northeast’s vibrant youth ecosystem, she said youth clubs and sports initiatives in the region could play a critical role in steering young people away from substance abuse and integrating them into nation-building activities.
She urged officers to maintain year-round engagement with young people, noting that the objectives of the Chintan Shivir must translate into sustained action over the coming months.
Meghalaya Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla also addressed the gathering and welcomed the participants to the state. He expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute significantly to strengthening youth programmes and deepening collaboration between the Centre, the states and grassroots institutions.
The two-day programme, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs in collaboration with MY Bharat, will conclude on Saturday, bringing together youth officers, NSS functionaries, and stakeholders from across the Northeast and other states for brainstorming, policy alignment and institutional strengthening.
The programme has been designed to deliberate on leadership development, strategic planning, and digital youth engagement through the MY Bharat portal.
The sessions include leadership workshops conducted by IIM Shillong faculty members, discussions on annual action plans, and presentations to enhance coordination and outreach among youth-focused institutions.
The two-day conclave is expected to produce actionable recommendations to enhance youth engagement and strengthen the implementation of youth development programmes across the region.
Mandaviya to join ‘Sundays on Cycle’ tomorrow
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse will participate in a special edition of ‘Sundays on Cycle’ in Shillong on May 31.
The event, organised by the Fit India Movement under Khelo India and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), aims to promote fitness and healthy living. The programme is scheduled to take place from 6 am to 9 am.
The cycling route will commence from the State Central Library and pass through several key landmarks, including the DC Office, Ward’s Lake, Lok Bhavan and Civil Hospital, before returning to the starting point.
Several other senior officials and dignitaries are expected to join the rally to encourage community participation in physical activities.
