Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 26: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia urged young Indians to embrace challenges, push beyond their comfort zones, and explore new opportunities to foster personal and national growth. Speaking at the NDTV Yuva Conclave, Scindia reflected on his Harvard experience and emphasized the role of youth in shaping a developed India (Viksit Bharat).
“I have always sought challenges. If there’s one piece of advice I can give, it is this: step out of your comfort zone. True growth comes when you dare to face the unknown,” Scindia remarked.
Recounting his journey to Harvard, Scindia shared how his parents initially hesitated to send him abroad, fearing he might struggle in an unfamiliar environment. “I was both curious and scared. Though I had attended boarding school, this was a bigger leap. I applied on my own and was fortunate to be accepted into one of the world’s top institutions,” he said.
One of his most eye-opening moments came in an International Relations class, where he submitted a meticulously compiled paper using excerpts from multiple sources. Expecting praise, he was instead challenged by his professor. “He told me, ‘I don’t need to know what’s written in these books. I have written one of them myself. What I need to know is your analysis.’ That moment changed my perspective—not just on learning but on how to think,” Scindia recalled.
Scindia described the loss of his father, Madhavrao Scindia, as a transformative turning point in his life. A trained economist and investment banker, he was suddenly thrust into the world of public service. “My father always told me, ‘Politics should never be the ultimate goal. If you look at history, every revolution, every major shift—whether in ancient times or today’s digital world—was led by the youth,’” he shared.
With 70% of India’s population under the age of 35, Scindia highlighted the country’s immense demographic and democratic advantage. “We are talking about nearly 90 crore people—three times the population of the US and twice that of Europe. This is India’s strength,” he said.
Scindia emphasized the rapid growth of India's startup ecosystem, which has expanded from a handful of companies to nearly 1.75 lakh startups and over 100 unicorns today. He also outlined key government initiatives aimed at empowering young professionals, including the PM Internship Programme, which connects youth with India’s top 500 companies, with 8,000 enrollments this year and a ?2,000 crore budget. A ?6,000 crore investment in research and development is also aimed at strengthening university research and global collaborations to transition India from a service-based to a product-driven economy.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Scindia stated, India is moving towards a new era. “We are transitioning from Amrit Kaal to Shatabdi Kaal—from a developing nation to a developed India, from dependency to self-reliance. This is our vision, and this is our commitment,” he concluded.