PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS. 'Youth can transform their lives as well as that of India by focusing on 4Ts'

Youth can transform their lives as well as that of India by focusing on 4Ts, said Gen V K Singh (retd), Minister of State for External Affairs.

Addressing the inaugral session of Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Bengaluru, Gen Singh said “Today’s youth should focus on 4Ts – Talent, Technology, Training and Teamwork.”

Talent

The first T: Talent - By 2020, the average age in India will be 29 years making it the world’s youngest country with 64 per cent of the population in the working age group. The Prime Minister’s vision will make India the skill capital of the world by 2022. Whatever your chosen field of endeavour, you will encounter many Indians in your peer group. If you have the relevant talent, relevant skill-set and are willing to partner with us, there is a world of opportunity for you. Cross-fertilisation of ideas can also bring rich rewards to your host country.

“An increase in competence levels and range of skills in India would contribute to greater employment opportunities both within India and elsewhere, thanks to linkage and multiplier effects. The skilling eco-system should also lead to innovation and techno-entrepreneurship which, directly or indirectly, result in social good. I am happy to note that the Youth PBD 2017 has a plenary session on start-ups and innovation which have a social impact in India.”

Technology

India's achievements in the field of science and technology need no reiteration: From super computer to indigenous space programme; Mars mission to Chandrayaan; Antarctic mission to oceanographic research, there are several stellar examples. We have always believed in technology with a human face.

“Knowledge-based economies know no boundaries. Today, the world is already a digital village. With technology, we can transform lives at the touch of a button. From the use of networking platforms to stay connected; or social media to disseminate information; creation of technology partnerships, there are a zillion ways in which you can transform lives through technology,” Gen Singh explained.

Training

In an age of rapid technological transformation, learning is not a one-time process with a fixed beginning and end, but a continuous flow of constantly learning, unlearning and relearning.

Singh said “We consider this as a two-way process. Knowledge multiplies when shared. We are ready to offer training and education to you in areas where we are good at and similarly, we will be happy to take you up on your offers of expertise in your areas of interest. Training could also take the shape of internships; volunteering or even philanthropy. The choice is yours.”

To help us understand the related issues and possible solutions, the Youth PBD 2017 includes plenary sessions on issues faced by Indian students abroad and NRI and PIO students in India. We have recently launched a platform for online registration of Indian students abroad – it is voluntary and will help us estimate the number of such students, map them and also reach out to them in a more effective manner.

Teamwork

Global good cannot be achieved by any single country alone. Also, the challenges that we face in the world today are too complicated to be addressed by any single country. We need to realise this and stand together. We need to strengthen the bridges that connect us and create new ones.

Singh said: “We have launched a number of flagship programmes to achieve our developmental objectives. Our dream is of a prosperous, skilful, enterprising, clean and futuristic India. The Smart Cities Mission; the Digital India; the Skill India; the Start Up India; the Swacch Bharat Campaign are all part of our efforts to realise that dream. We also look at our friends and partner countries to realise that dream. Our challenges also offer opportunities for you to be part of India’s growth story through which you will also realise your dreams.”

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