Inspiring interaction with ISRO astronauts launches Day 3 of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026

New Delhi [India], January 11 (ANI): The third day of the "Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026," organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, commenced with great zeal and enthusiasm at Bharat Mandapam, and witnessed diverse events including an inspiring address by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Manuskh Mandaviya, an engaging interactive session with ISRO Astronauts, and a cultural extravaganza showcasing the rich diversity of Bharat, according to an official release.
Addressing the young participants, Mandaviya congratulated them on being selected from among nearly 50 lakh youth across the country and noted that they had been sent by their respective Chief Ministers and Governors, reflecting the confidence reposed in them by the States and the nation.
He highlighted that through VBYLD, the youth had been directly connected with the Government of India and would soon present their ideas before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasising that the Dialogue does not end with the event, he said that the journey to translating the vision of Viksit Bharat into reality starts now, the release stated.
The Union Minister urged the young leaders to remain engaged through the "MY Bharat" platform and stay connected with District Youth Officers after returning to their States.
Calling upon them to lead key national initiatives such as Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, he described substance abuse as a serious challenge and stressed the need for sustained outreach in universities and schools through programmes like Yuva Connect.
He encouraged the participants to mobilise youth participation, take Viksit Bharat presentations to educational institutions, and work towards connecting one crore young people to the MY Bharat platform, the release said.
Reaffirming his confidence in the youth, Mandaviya stated that VBYLD empowers young leaders to showcase ideas and capabilities, and emphasised discipline and commitment as the foundation of success, expressing confidence that collective efforts would help attain the goal of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Drawing the attention of the young delegates to the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram, the Union Minister urged them to familiarise themselves with the deliberations in Parliament on the same, so that they may participate in this dialogue with enhanced awareness.
The day had begun with an inspiring Conversation with ISRO Astronauts and MY Bharat Volunteers, during which distinguished astronaut-designates Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Nair interacted with young leaders from across the country, the release said.
Both officers are accomplished pilots of the Indian Air Force selected for India's flagship Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. The session provided a rare opportunity for participants to engage directly with India's space pioneers and draw inspiration from their journeys, professionalism and vision for the nation's future.
In a highly inspiring interaction, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared his experiences of spaceflight, describing the surreal nature of microgravity where conventional notions of direction cease to exist.
Showcasing striking images of India from orbit, he remarked that his journey stands as living proof that dreams do come true. Stressing resilience as the key to success, he noted that the true mantra lies in navigating failures, bouncing back stronger, and never settling for complacency.
Describing Indian youth as "fearless and forceful," he urged young leaders to keep moving forward with determination.
Emphasising limitless ambition, he remarked, "The sky was never the limit - not for me, not for you, and not for Bharat," encouraging the youth to dream boldly and pursue excellence in contributing to the nation's future.
During an interactive session, moderated by a MY Bharat volunteer, Group Captain Prasanth Nair highlighted the growing global significance of India's space journey, observing that the world increasingly looks to India as a representative voice of the Global South in space exploration. He attributed his motivation to the unwavering support of family and friends and inspiration drawn from the Bhagavad Gita. Reflecting on his global experiences, he noted that India's strength lies in its unique values and inherent capabilities, encouraging the youth to remain lifelong learners and stay in "student mode."
The day also featured Colours of Viksit Bharat, a vibrant cultural segment celebrating the creative and artistic expressions of youth. The programme showcased the top music, dance & poetry performances, the release stated.
Recognising outstanding performances and contributions, and reinforcing the spirit of excellence and youth-led nation-building, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Madaviya and Union Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse, felicitated the winners.
The participants concluded the day by regrouping as State teams and visiting the residences of Union Ministers and Members of Parliament for dinner engagements, facilitating meaningful interaction, guidance and informal mentorship in an atmosphere of shared reflection and commitment to national service.
The final day of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, coinciding with National Youth Day commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, will mark the culmination of the four-day youth extravaganza.
The day will be graced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the national importance of the platform and the Government's commitment to youth-led nation-building.
A Grand Plenary Session, including a Town Hall-style interaction, will enable direct engagement between the Prime Minister and young leaders, who will present ten high-impact ideas aligned with national priority themes.
The concluding engagements are expected to inspire the youth to actively contribute to India's journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047, reaffirming the central role of young leaders in shaping the nation's future. (ANI)