“Fast and Fearless India”: PM Modi unveils bold vision for youth-led development at Rising Bharat Summit

Addressing a packed auditorium at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a comprehensive vision for the country’s future, anchored in economic acceleration, youth empowerment, and inclusive development. Emphasising India’s transformation over the last decade, Modi declared that the world’s gaze is fixed on India as it moves toward becoming the third-largest global economy. This transition, he asserted, is not a stroke of luck but the result of purposeful policy, political resolve, and the ambitions of India’s youth.

The Prime Minister highlighted that India, which was ranked as the 11th largest economy just a few years ago, has now become the 5th largest. In the face of global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and inflationary shocks, India has doubled its economy within a decade. This pace, he noted, defies the long-standing global narrative of India progressing slowly but steadily. Instead, the country is now being recognised as “fast and fearless,” driven by a young population with rising aspirations and boundless potential.

How is the Modi government aligning policy with youth aspirations?

With the first 100 days of 2025 nearly complete, the Prime Minister positioned this period as pivotal in laying the groundwork for India’s next phase of development. Modi asserted that these early decisions reflect the dreams of young Indians, including policy changes like raising the income tax exemption limit to ₹12 lakh, which directly benefits young professionals and startup entrepreneurs.

Significant expansions in education and innovation were also announced. The government has added 10,000 new medical seats and 6,500 new seats in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Alongside this, 50,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs are being launched nationwide to foster a culture of grassroots innovation. These initiatives, Modi said, represent an intentional shift toward preparing India’s youth for an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

Research and development, particularly in frontier technologies, are also being prioritised. The Prime Minister revealed the establishment of new Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and advanced skills development. Additionally, 10,000 new Prime Minister Research Fellowships have been created to help young scientists and technologists move from concept to commercialisation more easily. Citing past successes in liberalising the space sector, Modi indicated that similar reforms are underway in the nuclear energy sector, aiming to democratise innovation and unlock private sector potential.

What role does social equity play in Modi’s development narrative?

Modi repeatedly stressed that inclusivity is not just a slogan but a foundational element of his government’s agenda. Measures such as extending social security to gig economy workers—many of whom had previously operated without formal protections—were highlighted as a shift in policy that brings invisible workers into the mainstream. Likewise, access to term loans of up to ₹2 crore for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs was cited as a step toward levelling the playing field in business and finance.

The Prime Minister’s remarks also acknowledged the structural inequities that have historically sidelined marginalised communities. Referring to the 10th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Modi provided a data-driven account of its reach and impact. He explained that more than 52 crore loans have been disbursed under the scheme, totalling ₹33 lakh crore. These loans, he said, were granted without collateral, empowering first-time entrepreneurs—many from socially disadvantaged backgrounds—to create livelihoods. The scheme, which Modi framed as a grassroots financial revolution, was described as achieving not just micro-finance but “mega transformation.”

How is India addressing long-standing infrastructure delays?

The Prime Minister’s speech also addressed India’s chronic infrastructure delays, which he attributed to bureaucratic inertia and a lack of political will. Using the example of the Pamban Bridge—originally built over 125 years ago and devastated by a cyclone—Modi recounted how work on a replacement bridge had stalled for years until his administration revived and completed the project. Now India has its first vertical lift rail-sea bridge at Rameswaram.

Other examples followed. Modi highlighted the Bogibeel Bridge in Assam, which saw decades of delay after being initiated in the late 1990s, and was eventually completed in 2018 under his leadership. Similarly, the long-pending Kollam Bypass Road in Kerala—first proposed in 1972—was finally completed within five years of his government taking charge. Modi also referenced the Navi Mumbai Airport, a project approved in 2007 but left languishing until recent interventions hastened its development. Commercial flights from the airport, he indicated, are on the horizon.

These case studies served to reinforce a broader theme: that development cannot wait. “Delay is the enemy of development,” Modi stated, framing project completion as a test of governmental performance and accountability.

How has Modi’s administration approached regions historically neglected by central policy?

Modi devoted significant time to discussing the transformation of what were once known as “backward districts.” He noted that previous governments relegated officials to these regions as punishment postings, compounding their underdevelopment. Under his administration, these districts were rebranded as Aspirational Districts, with performance metrics tracked across sectors such as education, healthcare, and connectivity.

The impact, according to Modi, has been significant. Many of these districts have now surpassed national and state averages in key indicators, giving youth in these areas a newfound confidence in their potential. Buoyed by this success, the government is now extending the model to 500 Aspirational Blocks, applying the same performance-oriented approach to even more localised governance.

What does the Waqf reform represent in terms of social justice?

A substantial portion of the Prime Minister’s address was devoted to the contentious issue of Waqf properties and the recent amendments to Waqf legislation. Providing historical context, Modi explained that the Waqf laws—especially after the 2013 amendment—had created an atmosphere of fear and legal ambiguity. These laws, he said, were exploited by extremist elements and land mafias, leading to conflicts over churches, gurudwaras, temples, and farmland across several Indian states.

He cited examples from Kerala, Haryana, and Karnataka to illustrate how ordinary citizens—regardless of religion—lost confidence in their property rights due to Waqf-related disputes. Modi positioned the recent amendment as a move to restore public trust, especially for marginalised Muslims and women. Notably, he pointed out that the amendment underwent 128 hours of deliberation across 38 Joint Parliamentary Committee meetings and attracted nearly one crore online suggestions, underscoring its democratic legitimacy.

How is India leveraging creative industries and global collaboration?

Closing his address on a forward-looking note, the Prime Minister announced the launch of WAVES—World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit—a global platform to celebrate and elevate India’s cultural and creative economy. Scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, the initiative will focus on expanding India’s presence in film, music, gaming, AR, VR, and podcasting industries. With “Create in India” as a guiding mantra, the platform aims to connect domestic artists with international collaborators and global audiences.

Citing the rise of entertainment as one of the world’s largest industries, Modi called on platforms like Network18 to amplify WAVES and make it a household name. He stressed that in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, it is creativity, storytelling, and culture that will define human progress.

How is the Rising Bharat Summit shaping India’s development agenda?

The Prime Minister concluded by lauding Network18 for creating a platform where youth were not just listeners but active participants. Through initiatives like the ‘Samadhan’ document—a compilation of youth-driven solutions to challenges ranging from pollution to education—he said the summit had transformed engagement into impact. Modi urged educational institutions to build on the ideas and insights shared during the event, stressing that this intellectual energy must be documented and channelled into policymaking.

He reiterated that India’s journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047 will be fuelled by the aspirations, innovation, and resilience of its youth. The Rising Bharat Summit, in his view, was not merely a gathering of ideas but a springboard for generational transformation.