Fulfil Swami Vivekananda’s dream of India: PM Modi urges youth

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, Aug 1, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the country’s youth to dedicate themselves to nation-building through service, innovation, education and discipline, saying it is the responsibility of the present generation to realise Swami Vivekananda’s vision of India.

Speaking after inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre (Viveka Smaraka) at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru, Modi said the centre should inspire young people to place the nation above self and embrace Vivekananda’s ideals of service, sacrifice and character-building. He described the memorial as a significant expansion of the Ramakrishna Mission’s efforts to empower youth.

Highlighting India’s rapid progress, the Prime Minister said the country’s young people have transformed India into the world’s fastest-growing major economy and are driving innovation across sectors.

"India’s youth are giving momentum to the country’s growth and contributing to global development," he said, crediting them for building the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, making India the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, and advancing the nation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, deep technology and space research.

Referring to the recent launch of a privately developed Indian rocket, Modi said it reflected the growing capabilities and confidence of the country’s young innovators.

He said the Viveka Smaraka would serve as a source of inspiration for generations to fulfil Swami Vivekananda’s dream of a strong and self-reliant India.

Recalling his long association with the Ramakrishna Mission, Modi expressed gratitude to the monks of the order, saying the organisation had played an important role in shaping his life.

Calling Mysuru a centre of India’s rich cultural heritage, the Prime Minister noted that Swami Vivekananda’s visit to the city and the support he received from the then Maharaja of Mysuru were instrumental in enabling his historic journey to the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Quoting the principle "Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva" (serving humanity is serving God), Modi urged young people to prioritise the welfare of the poor and the nation over personal interests.

He said initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India were succeeding because of the strength and talent of India’s youth, while emphasising the need to provide them with opportunities, guidance and confidence.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the youth to actively participate in cleanliness drives, conserve natural resources and save water, stressing that water conservation must become a national mission.

Highlighting achievements in education over the past 12 years, Modi said the government had established more than 650 universities, nearly 14,000 colleges, over 4,000 ITIs, nine IIMs, seven IITs and 13 AIIMS. He added that MBBS seats had increased to around 1.4 lakh, while the number of medical colleges had risen to 823.

He said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was equipping students with skills for the 21st century, supported by more than 14,000 PM SHRI Schools and over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs promoting innovation and scientific thinking.

Emphasising equal access to education, Modi noted that girls are now joining the National Defence Academy and students can pursue medical and engineering courses in their mother tongues, helping overcome language barriers.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of sports in nation-building, saying initiatives such as Khelo India, Youth Games, University Games, Para Games and Winter Games, along with improved sports infrastructure, were helping identify talent from villages and smaller towns and boosting India’s international sporting performance.

He encouraged young people to explore Kannada literature and praised Karnataka’s rich literary tradition. Modi also urged citizens to support local artisans by purchasing and gifting Mysuru’s handicrafts, sandalwood products and traditional crafts.

According to an official statement, the Viveka Smaraka commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s historic visit to Mysuru in November 1892. Built at the historic Niranjana Math, the 81,000-square-foot facility houses a 4D Experience Centre, exhibition hall, amphitheatre, library, meditation and yoga hall, classrooms, conference rooms and dedicated facilities for students preparing for competitive examinations.

The centre is expected to benefit over 10,000 students and young people through lectures, workshops, short-term courses and leadership programmes inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s ideals of nation-building and character development.